Diurnal Curve Research Articles

Argon laser trabeculoplasty for congenital ectropion uveae: Case report and review of the literature.

A 18-year-old woman with unilateral glaucoma secondary to congenital ectropion uveae (CEU) in the right eye, without other systemic and ocular associations. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was uncontrolled under topical therapy. The visual field (VF) was within normal limits; retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, as evaluated by Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), was reduced. The patient refused surgical intervention. After evaluation of the iridocorneal angle, ALT was performed as follows: 95 spots were applied for the 270 ° of visible trabecular meshwork using a laser beam diameter of 50 μm, an exposure time of 0.1 s and a power of 750 mw). Mean IOP in the right eye, as evaluated by diurnal tonometric curve, was 10 mmHg, 16 mmHg and 20 mmHg respectively one month, four months and eight months after ALT, with no additional topical therapy, and 18 mmHg twelve months after ALT with topical therapy. CEU is a rare, non-progressive anomaly characterized by the proliferation of iris pigment epithelium on anterior surface of iris; glaucoma, in this disorder, is often poorly controlled with medical therapy alone. In a phase of initial glaucomatous damage and with a not particularly high IOP, as in this case, ALT could be an alternative therapeutic option at least in the short-term, when surgery is not feasible immediately. In fact, given its limited effectiveness over time, ALT can be used as a temporary control measure of IOP, pending surgery to become feasible.

Responses of the Leaf Water Physiology and Yield of Grapevine via Different Irrigation Strategies in Extremely Arid Areas

The contradiction between water supply and demand has become increasingly prominent due to the large agricultural water consumption and low irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) in the extremely arid area of Xinjiang, which needs to be solved by efficient irrigation. In this study, the effects of different irrigation levels (the lower and upper limits of irrigation (LULI) were 50–80%, 60–90%, and 70–100% of the field capacity (FC), respectively) under two irrigation methods (root zone irrigation (RZI) and furrow irrigation (FI)) on the photosynthetic physiology and yield of grape were analyzed to explore suitable irrigation schemes in extremely arid areas. The results show that the diurnal variation curve of the net photosynthetic rate (Pn) of grape leaves in the extreme arid region was not sensitive to the response of irrigation methods. However, RZI could improve the apparent quantum efficiency and maximum photosynthetic rate by 60.00% and 31.25%, respectively, reduce the light compensation point by 17.91%, and alleviate the photosynthetic lunch break phenomenon. Under FI, the physiological indexes of leaves increased with the increase in the LULI, while the Pn and SPAD values were the largest under RZI when the LULI was 60–90% of FC. The daily average Pn value of T2 in 2021 and 2022 ranged from 12.93 to 17.77 μmol·m−2·s−1. Compared with FI, RZI significantly improved the leaf water potential, Pn, and SPAD values by increasing the soil water content (SWC) of the 40–80 cm soil layer by 5.04–8.80%, which increased the yield by 6.86–18.67%. The results show that the yield and water use efficiency reached the peak when the LULI was 60–90% of FC under RZI, which could provide theoretical support for efficient irrigation of vineyards in extremely arid areas.

Do diurnal salivary cortisol curves carry meaningful information about the regulatory biology of the HPA axis in healthy humans?

Salivary cortisol stress biomarkers have been extensively used in epidemiological work to document links between stress and ill health. There has been little effort to ground field friendly cortisol measures in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis regulatory biology that is likely relevant to delineating mechanistic pathways leading from stress exposure to detrimental health outcomes. Here, we utilized a healthy convenience sample (n = 140) to examine normal linkages between extensively collected salivary cortisol measures and available laboratory probes of HPA axis regulatory biology. Participants provided 9 saliva samples per day over 6 days within a month, while engaging in usual activities, and also participated in 5 regulatory tests (adrenocorticoptripin stimulation, dexamethasone/corticotropin-releasing-hormone stimulation, metyrapone, dexamethasone suppression, and Trier Social Stress Test). Logistical regression was used to test specific predictions linking cortisol curve components to regulatory variables and to explore widely for non-predicted associations. We found support for 2 of 3 original hypotheses, showing associations (1) between cortisol diurnal decline and feedback sensitivity as measured by dexamethasone suppression, and (2) between morning cortisol levels and adrenal sensitivity. We did not find links between central drive (metyrapone test) and end of day salivary levels. We confirmed an a priori expectation of limited linkage between regulatory biology and diurnal salivary cortisol measures, beyond those predicted. These data support an emerging focus on measures related to diurnal decline in epidemiological stress work. They raise questions about the biological meaning of other curve components, including morning cortisol levels, and perhaps CAR (Cortisol Awakening Response). If morning cortisol dynamics are linked to stress, more work on adrenal sensitivity in stress adaptation and stress-health links may be warranted.

Childhood environment early life stress, caregiver warmth, and associations with the cortisol diurnal curve in adulthood: The coronary artery risk development in young adults (CARDIA) study

BackgroundEarly life stress (ELS) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality across the lifecourse. Studies observing a relationship between ELS and stress physiology (cortisol), may help explain the connection to poor health outcomes, but have been limited by cortisol measures used. PurposeWe examined the association between ELS measured by a Risky Family (RF) environment questionnaire, and adult diurnal cortisol profile inclusive of multiple cortisol measures. MethodsRF and cortisol were collected from Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study participants at follow-up (Year 15). Complete case (n = 672) data were included in multi-variable regression analyses with log transformed cortisol measures (outcomes) including wake-up cortisol, cortisol awakening response [CAR], AUC and five other cortisol diurnal curve measures. ResultsParticipants were age 39.9 + /− 3.7 years and 51.6% Black. For every 1 unit increase in RF, there was a 1.4% greater wake-up cortisol and flatter CAR after adjustment for age, sex, income, and smoking (B=0.014, p = 0.023; B=−0.014, p = 0.028, respectively). Each unit increase in caregiver warmth/affection was associated with a 6.9% higher (steeper) CAR (B=0.069, p = 0.03). Results remained significant after adjusting for other covariates except social support in adulthood. An interaction between child abuse and caregiver warmth was nearly significant (p = 0.068), such that for those with exposure to the greatest caregiver warmth and lowest child abuse, CAR was steepest ConclusionsWe demonstrate that ELS is associated with altered cortisol regulation in adulthood. However, further research is needed to assess how healthy relationships throughout the life course may modulate cortisol regulation in adulthood.

Diurnal variation of the fair-weather atmospheric electric field in Binchuan, China

With the purpose of understanding the variation of fair-weather atmospheric electric field, the vertical component of atmospheric electric field (recorded as Ez) has been measured in the town Binchuan (25°50′N, 100°34′E, 1438.7 m asl) of Dali city, Yunnan, China from June 14, 2017 to December 1, 2020. Automatic measured visual range is used as a proxy of aerosol concentration. The mean diurnal variation curve of the fair-weather Ez in Binchuan, having two peaks occurred at around 9LT and 20LT, shows little correlation with the well-known Carnegie Curve and other two high-latitude sites' Curves. While strong negative correlation between fair-weather Ez and visual range is found, indicating the variation of fair-weather is dominated by aerosol concentration. The main source of aerosol concentration variation probably sunrise and sunset effect. We support our findings by comparing Ez, visual range with sunrise and sunset times. The peaks (troughs) of Ez (visual range) are proved to have weak correlations with anthropogenic pollution through comparing the Ez, visual range under workdays and holidays.

Observations and Analysis of the Mid‐Latitude Atmospheric Electric Field During Geomagnetic Activity

AbstractIn this study, the diurnal and seasonal variation curves of atmospheric electric field () are obtained, based on the extensive observations at Mohe station (Geographical coordinates: 22.357°E, 53.482°N and geomagnetic coordinates: 195.5°E, 48.8°N) of the Chinese Meridian Project. The results show that the diurnal variation of conforms to the “Carnegie” pattern, and the value of in winter is higher than the summer. The coupling effect of the solar wind–magnetosphere with the atmospheric electric field is established. In total, 15 cases of magnetic storms are selected while Mohe is under fair weather condition throughout the storm period. The analyzed results reveal that exhibits the same characteristics during the 15 storms, that is, decreases sharply and changes simultaneously with the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) component and solar wind proton number density. When the IMF– shifts to south, presents a large decrease with magnitudes of about 100 V/m–600 V/m.

Physiological and proteomic analyses of Malus crabapples exposed to long-term warming and short-term heat shock treatments reveal the response characteristics of photosynthetic apparatus

Malus crabapples are precious woody plants with unique ornamental and applied values. Their weak photosynthetic performance in subtropical summer disturbs the normal growth and development, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. To facilitate their local cultivation, the differences in photosynthetic capacity between six Malus cultivars in subtropical regions from June to September as well as the response characteristics of photosynthetic apparatus in selected cultivar M. ‘Professor Sprenger’ to short-term, extreme heat shock were comprehensively investigated. The results showed that changes in environmental factors, especially the increase in air temperature, limited net photosynthetic rates (Pn) in different cultivars and caused changes in the shapes of the diurnal Pn curves. The utilization range and efficiency of these cultivars for CO2 and light energy also changed under high temperature environment, which resulted in decreased photosynthetic activity and differential photosynthetic adaptability. Interestingly, M. ‘Professor Sprenger’ possessed more activated reaction centers and efficient electron transport chains under heat shock, which ensured the absorption and utilization of light energy; while a series of differentially expressed photosynthesis-related/competitive proteins potentially promoted activity and stability of photosynthetic apparatus. These combined results provided a reasonable explanation for the strong photosynthetic performance of M. ‘Professor Sprenger’ under heat stress.

A bifurcation of the peak: new patterns of traffic peaking during the COVID-19 era

This paper analyzes the emergence of two well-defined peaks during the morning peak period in the traffic flow diurnal curve. It selects six California cities as research targets, and uses California employment and household travel survey data to explain how and why this phenomenon has risen during the pandemic. The final result explains that the double-humped phenomenon results from the change in the composition of commuters during the morning peak period after the outbreak.

Functional Kriging for Spatiotemporal Modeling of Nitrogen Dioxide in a Middle Eastern Megacity

Long-term hour-specific air pollution exposure estimates have rarely been of interest in epidemiological research. However, this can be relevant for studies that aim to estimate the residential exposure for the hours that subjects mostly spend time there, or for those hours that they may work in another location. Here, we developed a model by spatially predicting the long-term diurnal curves of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in Tehran, Iran, one of the most polluted and populated megacities in the Middle East. We used the statistical framework of functional data analysis (FDA) including ordinary kriging for functional data (OKFD) and functional analysis of variance (fANOVA) for modeling. The long-term NO2 diurnal curves had two distinct maxima and minima. The absolute minimum value of the city average was 40.6 ppb (around 4:00 p.m.) and the absolute maximum value was 52.0 ppb (around 10:00 p.m.). The OKFD showed the concentrations, the diurnal maximum/minimum values, and their corresponding occurring times varied across the city. The fANOVA highlighted that the effect of population density on the NO2 concentrations is not constant and depends on time within the diurnal period. The provided estimation of long-term hour-specific maps can inform future epidemiological studies to use the long-term mean for specific hour(s) of the day. Moreover, the demonstrated FDA framework can be used as a set of flexible statistical methods.

The role of subclinical depressive symptomatology during the prenatal period in cortisol rhythm alterations and postpartum depression risk

IntroductionCortisol, the hormonal endpoint of Hypothalamic Pituitary Adrenal (HPA) axis, coordinates the body response in front of daily stressful situations. Disturbances in cortisol circadian rhythm have been implicated in the pathophysiology of depression and neurodevelopment lasting consequences. Although pregnancy entails a progressively increase in cortisol levels, the consequences of subclinical depression traits during pregnancy in cortisol circadian rhythm remains unclear.ObjectivesTo analyze the impact of prenatal subclinical depressive symptomatology in cortisol circadian rhythm through pregnancy and its relevance for postpartum depression risk.MethodsA cohort of 112 healthy pregnant women (Mean age±SD=32.32±4.37) of the general population was followed throughout their first pregnancy and first two months of postpartum period. Diurnal salivary cortisol curve (four measures) was obtained for every trimester; the Area Under the Curve with respect to the ground (AUCg) and with respect to the increase (AUCi) were used as measures of basal HPA axis functioning. Depressive symptomatology was assessed every pregnancy trimester and postpartum period following EPDS criteria. All the analyses were adjusted for maternal age, weight, ethnicity and socioeconomic status and sample collection’s time.ResultsPrenatal subclinical depressive symptomatology (EPDS>10) was associated with a blunted cortisol rhythm during first trimester (F= 3.913,p=.011) but not during second (F=2.629, p=056) or third trimesters (F=.411,p=.724). Furthermore, a logistic regression model showed a positive association between Prenatal subclinical depressive symptomatology and the risk of postpartum depression (χ2=13.8, p<.001,OR=9.6; 95%CI 2.5–35.5).ConclusionsWomen with subclinical depressive symptomatology in early pregnancy had alterations in cortisol circadian rhythmicity and a higher risk of postpartum depression.DisclosureNo significant relationships.

Reanalysis‐driven multi‐RCM high‐resolution simulation of precipitation within CORDEX East Asia Phase II

AbstractUnder the Coordinated Regional Downscaling Experiment‐East Asia second phase (CORDEX‐EA‐II) framework, the performances of three regional climate models (RCMs), including Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model, RegCM4 and Consortium for Small‐Scale Modelling model in Climate Mode (CCLM), in simulating the climatic distribution, diurnal variation and extremes of precipitation during 1989–2009 are evaluated. The RCMs are driven by the ERA‐Interim reanalysis and the evaluation is based on both the gridded gauge‐based and the satellite‐derived precipitation data. In general, the RCMs can reproduce the spatial pattern of the mean daily precipitation, with the spatial correlations (SCORs) larger than 0.66, and CCLM has the lowest root‐mean‐square error over East Asia. For the diurnal cycle of precipitation, WRF outperforms the other two RCMs despite the peak time about 3 hr ahead in some areas. RegCM4 overestimates the amplitude of the diurnal curve, and CCLM has limited ability to simulate the diurnal variation over most areas. All the three RCMs can reproduce the spatial patterns of the extreme indices, with the SCORs larger than 0.57. WRF and CCLM perform the best for the frequency of wet days (R1mm) and moderate rain (R20mm), respectively. The intensity indices are overestimated over most land areas, with relatively higher SCORs in WRF and relatively lower biases in RegCM4. The consecutive wet days (CWD) can be well simulated by WRF and CCLM; however, RegCM4 overestimates it over most regions in East Asia. The overestimation of the extreme intensity and frequency indices may be related to the higher water vapour content and the weaker water vapour divergence in the lower layer, as well as the higher mid‐layer geopotential height, especially in CCLM.

Investigating Effects of Solar Proton Events and Forbush Decreases on Ground‐Level Potential Gradient Recorded at Middle and Low Latitudes and Different Altitudes

AbstractHigh‐energetic charged particles, such as solar protons, and phenomena such as Forbush decreases are eligible candidates to affect the global electric circuit. These effects have been studied by analyzing disturbances of the potential gradient in ground‐based measurements in fair weather regions. In this paper, we investigate deviations in the potential gradient diurnal curve, during solar proton events, and Forbush decreases, from the mean values obtained in fair weather conditions. In each situation, we select only events which are not accompanied or followed by the other. Using the superposed epoch analysis, in order to enhance the visualization of small effects, we study the potential gradient data recorded between January 2010 and December 2019 at two stations located at low and middle‐latitudes, and at two different altitudes: the Complejo Astronómico El Leoncito (CASLEO), Argentina: 31.78°S, 2550 m a.s.l., and the Geophysical Observatory in Świder (SWIDER), Poland: 52.12°N, 100 m a.s.l., respectively. For intense solar proton events (>100 MeV) we found a statistically significant increase of the potential gradient after solar proton events recorded at CASLEO and no such deviation in the potential gradient recorded at SWIDER. For Forbush decrease events (greater than 4%), no significant deviation of the potential gradient after the start of the event was found in both stations, however for very intense Forbush decreases (>7%) we found an increase of the potential gradient recorded at CASLEO.

Application of Functional Time Series Model in Forecasting Monthly Diurnal API Curves: A Comparison between Multi-Step Ahead and Iterative One-Step Ahead Approach

In Malaysia, Air Pollution Index (API) is used to assess the status of background air quality. The computation of API involved six major air pollutants including PM10, PM2.5, O3, CO, SO2 and NOx. Due to the harmful effect of air pollution, forecasting API is important. This paper introduces the application of Functional Time Series (FTS) model in forecasting monthly diurnal maximum API curves at two selected sites in Peninsular Malaysia; namely Shah Alam Selangor and Pasir Gudang Johor. Two FTS models were compared which include Multi-Step ahead and Iterative One-Step ahead approach. The results show that the Multi-Step ahead model has produced better performance giving the lowest error measures; FMSE, FRMSE and FMAPE compared to Iterative One-Step ahead. This study has shown that FTS model has the advantage because it enables the prediction of continuous API levels within a defined continuum time, which in this study was the interval time within 24 hours. Functional descriptive mean shows a bimodal pattern with a peak at 3.00 pm and the average levels are at a healthy level. Functional mean of API exhibits an increasing pattern after sunrise towards 10.00 am at both sites, which inform that, this is the time with a higher contribution of vehicles emission while the standard deviation differs in the pattern. The model is recommended as an alternative model to be used by the government and environmentalists in providing input for guiding pollution control and protecting public health at the early stage. Furthermore, as for the private sector and industries, this study might provide a predictive analytic tool for forecasting daily API curves instead of a single daily average API value.

Salivary Cortisol Reaction Norms in Zoo-Housed Great Apes: Diurnal Slopes and Intercepts as Indicators of Stress Response Quality.

Simple SummaryChanges in cortisol fluctuations are used for stress monitoring. Methodologically, this is straight forward, because sample collection is simple and analytical methods advanced, but since cortisol is primarily a hormone that facilitates energy allocation, the interpretation of these measures is often complex. Acute elevations in cortisol levels are not per se bad, but may constitute an adaptive coping mechanism. Likewise, low cortisol levels do not always indicate the absence of a stressor. To distinguish between stress response qualities, a more fine-grained analyses of cortisol fluctuations is warranted. Cortisol excretion follows a diurnal pattern with high levels in the morning, decreasing throughout the day. Two regression coefficients describe this curve: the intercept (the constant with which levels change throughout the day) and the slope (curve steepness and direction). We assessed salivary cortisol intercepts and slopes in zoo-housed apes on routine days, enrichment days, and in the new ape house. While cortisol excretion increased on enrichment days, the daily decline of cortisol levels was not affected. The move to the new house seemingly was a major stressor as cortisol levels increased slightly and the circadian cortisol decrease was impaired. The combination of intercept and slope measures can differentiate between stress responses, thereby constituting a useful tool for stress monitoring.Monitoring changes in cortisol levels is a widespread tool for measuring individuals’ stress responses. However, an acute increase in cortisol levels does not necessarily denote an individual in distress, as increases in cortisol can be elicited by all factors that signal the need to mobilize energy. Nor are low levels of cortisol indicative for a relaxed, healthy individual. Therefore, a more fine-grained description of cortisol patterns is warranted in order to distinguish between cortisol fluctuations associated with different stress response qualities. In most species, cortisol shows a distinct diurnal pattern. Using a reaction norm approach, cortisol levels across the day can be described by the two regression coefficients: the intercept and the slope of the curve. We measured immunoreactive salivary cortisol in three zoo-housed ape species under three conditions (routine days, enrichment days, and after the move to a new house). We examined salivary cortisol intercepts (SCI) and salivary cortisol slopes (SCS) of the diurnal curves. SCI and SCS were independent from each other. SCI was highest on enrichment days and lowest on routine days. SCS was steep on routine days and blunted after the move. Only SCI was species-specific. Our study provides evidence that combining SCI and SCS measures allows us to differentiate between types of stress responses, thereby constituting a useful tool for welfare assessment.

Effects of cataract surgery on short-term intraocular pressure fluctuations in patients with primary angle-closure and primary angle-closure glaucoma

Introduction. Cataract surgery results in a reduction of intraocular pressure, but it has not been sufficiently investigated how it affects short-term intraocular pressure fluctuations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of cataract surgery on short-term intraocular pressure fluctuations in patients with primary angle-closure, with or without glaucoma. Material and Methods. A prospective interventional clinical study included 31 patients (eyes) with primary angle-closure/primary angle-closure glaucoma (study group) and 31 patients (eyes) with cataract only (control group). All subjects underwent cataract surgery. Preoperatively, and at the first, third and sixth postoperative months, diurnal tension curves for the assessment of intraocular pressure was performed and the mean intraocular pressure and short-term intraocular pressure fluctuations were evaluated. Results. Postoperatively, the mean intraocular pressure and short-term intraocular pressure fluctuations were significantly reduced in both groups. In the study group, the highest mean intraocular pressure reduction was - 4.14 ? 2.50 mmHg, and in the control group it was - 2.44 ? 1.76 mmHg. The highest reduction of short-term fluctuations was - 1.61 ? 3.55 mmHg in the study group, and - 0.55 ? 1.72 mmHg in the control group. In both groups, a significant negative correlation was found between the preoperative and postoperative mean intraocular pressure and short-term intraocular pressure fluctuations. At the end of the research, the number of medications was reduced by 18.4% compared to the preoperative period. Conclusion. Cataract surgery in patients with primary angle-closure/primary angle-closure glaucoma results in a significant reduction of intraocular pressure, short-term intraocular pressure fluctuations, and a reduction in the number of medications.

Effects of conservation tillage, controlled traffic and regulated deficit irrigation on soil CO2 emissions in a maize-based system in Mediterranean conditions

Conservation tillage is promoted as a potential agriculture practice to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions but little is known on its impact in irrigated Mediterranean conditions, and particularly, when combined with controlled traffic, adopted to avoid soil compaction effects on the crops, and with regulated deficit irrigation (RDI), adopted to conserve water. CO2 effluxes were measured during the 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 irrigated maize-cropping and fallow periods on a long-term tillage experiment established in Cordoba (Spain) in which two tillage systems, conventional with residues incorporated (CTR) and zero tillage with surface residues (ZTR), are compared, both combined with controlled traffic. Additionally, two irrigation treatments were introduced: full irrigation (FI) and RDI. We hypothesized that ZTR paired with RDI would make this irrigation strategy more effective for reducing CO2 emissions. Although tillage and traffic affected CO2 effluxes, RDI did not in spite of saving 100 mm of water. Frequent irrigations maintained similar superficial soil conditions in FI and RDI. In the short term, soil CO2 effluxes were higher in CTR than in ZTR after soil preparation and during crop growth, although only significantly in the first case. However, accumulated CO2 emission during the cropping period (163 days) was 1.8 times higher for CTR than ZTR (2126 and 1177 g m−2, respectively). The accumulated emission during the fallow period (202 days) was less relevant and similar for both systems (628 g m−2). Spatially, crop lines emitted the double CO2 than furrows during the cropping period in both tillage systems, and in ZTR during the fallow, showing the relevance of the measuring point locations. Three diurnal soil CO2 efflux curves supported the results. In irrigated Mediterranean maize crops, ZTR combined with controlled traffic can be an efficient soil management system to reduce CO2 emissions, and can be paired with RDI for water saving.

Evaluation of daily changes of Intraocular pressure in glaucomatous patients with modified diurnal tension curve versus water drinking test

Abstract Background Glaucoma is a chronic optic neuropathy characterized by the excavation of the optic disc due to atrophy of the retinal ganglion cells. A progression of such atrophy leads to reduction of the visual field and eventually to the loss of sight at the end-stage of the disease, Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide Objectives To study the correlation between intraocular pressure (IOP) fluctuation during water drinking test (WDT) and the IOP fluctuation of modified diurnal tension curve (mDTC) in glaucomatous eyes Patients and Methods Fifty participants (24 males and 26 females) were recruited in this prospective study; forty participants with known Primary Open Angle Glaucoma and the other ten participants with non- glaucomatous healthy eyes which served as control. Patients attending the outpatient clinic at Al-Demerdash Hospital and Cairo Fatemic Hospital from October 2018 to March 2019 were prospectively recruited. Four IOP measurements were taken at 8:00 am, 12:00 pm, 4:00 pm and 8:00 pm which represented the mDTC, while WDT was represented by a single measurement of IOP before ingestion of one liter of water over five minutes, followed by three IOP measurements after ingestion of this amount of water at thirty minute intervals. Results Distribution of the studied participants as regards Age and sex: 50 participants were included in the this study. 40 presented the case group (20 males and 20 females) and the mean age of the case group was 54.7 years, 10 presented the control group(4 males and 6 females) and the mean age of the control group was 51.2years. 59% of participants had a peak IOP at 8:00 am, while 10% had a peak IOP at 12:00 pm, 6% at 4:00 pm and 25% of the participants had IOP peak at 8:00 pm during the mDTC. In the WDT, 96% of the participants had a peak IOP after 30 minutes of ingesting one liter of water, while 4% had a peak IOP after 60 minutes. None of the participants had IOP peak after 90 minutes of ingesting one liter of water.. The IOP fluctuations detected during the WDT were significantly correlated to fluctuations observed during the mDTC. Conclusion The data of this study suggested that WDT can be used as a useful provocative test for the detection of the diurnal IOP peaks and fluctuation observed in the glaucoma patients.

COVID-19, Travel Time Reliability, and the Emergence of a Double-Humped Peak Period

This paper explores the travel time variance, occupancy heterogeneity level, and average network traffic flow of Minneapolis-St. Paul freeway network and determines the time-lag relationship between travel time variance and the spatio-temporal distribution of congestion (occupancy). It finds COVID-19 reduced the travel time variability of the urban freeway network and notably makes visible a double-humped peak period in the diurnal traffic flow curve.

Online monitoring of lead-214 (214Pb) on atmospheric aerosols by low-resolution gamma-ray spectrometry.

This paper provides a new approach that simplifies the monitoring of 214Pb activity concentration on aerosols in the atmospheric surface layer. The approach allows obtaining data on 214Pb activity concentration with the discreteness of 2h. The experimental setup described in the paper made it possible to achieve a minimum detectable activity level of 0.4Bqm-3. Using this approach, the data on the diurnal variability of 214Pb activity concentration in the atmosphere of Sevastopol city for a period of 18months were obtained. The 214Pb activity concentration varied from < 0.4 (less than 1% of the data series) to 8.9Bqm-3, mean value 2.0 ± 1.0Bqm-3. The analysis of the temporal variability of 214Pb activity concentration on different time scales (diurnal, seasonal) was carried out. Annually averaged diurnal variation curve of 214Pb activity concentration showed a peak at 6:00 local time and a minimum at 18:00. The maximum variability in the seasonal averaged diurnal cycle of 214Pb activity concentration is observed in summer (± 30% of the daily average value) and the minimum in winter (± 13%). The maximum seasonal average value of 214Pb activity concentration is observed in winter (2.5Bqm-3) and the minimum in summer (1.4Bqm-3). A quantitative estimate of the annual effective dose due to exposure to outdoor radon was obtained by using 214Pb data, and it was 0.03mSva-1.

Near Surface Properties of Martian Regolith Derived From InSight HP3‐RAD Temperature Observations During Phobos Transits

AbstractWe use the Martian surface temperature response to Phobos transits observed next to the InSight lander in Elysium Planitia to constrain the thermal properties of the uppermost layer of regolith. Modeled transit lightcurves validated by solar panel current measurements are used to modify the boundary conditions of a 1D heat conduction model. We test several model parameter sets, varying the thickness and thermal conductivity of the top layer to explore the range of parameters that match the observed temperature response within its uncertainty both during the eclipse as well as the full diurnal cycle. The measurements indicate a thermal inertia (TI) of in the uppermost layer of 0.2–4 mm, significantly smaller than the TI of derived from the diurnal temperature curve. This could be explained by larger particles, higher density, or some or slightly higher amount of cementation in the lower layers.