Effect Of Treatment Research Articles

Application of hot water and cold air to reduce bacterial contamination on broiler carcasses

Two physical treatments (heat via water bath and cold air) with various temperatures (20/70/75/80°C and − 80/−90°C) and exposure times (20, 30, 40 s) were carried out to identify a decontaminating effect on zoonotic pathogens on broiler carcasses. Subsequently, carcasses were analyzed for thermotolerant Campylobacter (C.), Salmonella, Escherichia (E.). coli and total colony count (TCC). Moreover, for the hot water treatment, qPCR with viable/dead differentiation (v-qPCR) was applied to detect viable but non-culturable cells (VBNC) of Campylobacter, referred to as intact but putatively infectious units (IPIU). Hot water immersion was tested on carcasses inoculated with C. jejuni and Salmonella, while cold air treatment was evaluated for naturally contaminated carcasses of broiler flocks colonized with Campylobacter. For hot water treatment, the statistically significant reducing effect was about 1 log10 CFU/ml for both Salmonella and Campylobacter for 70–80°C and 20/30 s treatments. The effect of heat treatment for Campylobacter was smaller when samples were analyzed with v-qPCR with reductions of 0.5–0.8 log10 IPIU/ml in mean. Cold air treatments at −90°C were effective in reducing the mean contamination level of Campylobacter by 0.4–0.5 log10 CFU/ml at all exposure times (p < 0.05). Hot water treatments showed a decreasing trend on TCC by 0.6–0.9 log10 CFU/ml (p < 0.05). TCC counts were not significantly affected by cold air treatment. For E. coli no statistically significant reductions were observed by hot water treatment. The cold air treatment at −90°C for 20 and 40 s led to a reduction of E. coli by 0.4 and 0.8 log10 CFU/ml (p < 0.05), respectively. Treatment of carcasses with higher bacterial levels tended to show higher reduction. The research demonstrated that the efficacy of physical treatments for decontamination of broiler carcasses was more pronounced for hot water immersion than for cold air exposure. In conclusion, the results shed light on the potential application of these physical treatments in practice to reduce the quantitative load of contaminating pathogens to enhance food safety in the broiler meat production.

Interactions between feed protein source and feeding frequency on growth performance and health status of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides).

In order to evaluate the effects of the interaction between different proteins and feeding frequency on largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) and to provide scientific guidance for the application of novel proteins and the corresponding optimal feeding strategy, a two-factorial design (5 × 3) with five protein feeds (fishmeal (FM), Clostridium autoethanogenum protein (CAP), Tenebrio molitor (TM), Chlorella meal (ChM), cottonseed protein concentrate (CPC)), and three feeding frequency (1, 2, and 3 times/d; FF1, FF2, FF3) was designed in culturing largemouth bass (initial weight, 2.98 ± 0.22g/fish) for 8weeks. Z-score combined with cluster analysis was used to analyze and compare the effects of different treatments on different indicators, such as growth performance, feed utilization, antioxidant capacity, and immune response to draw a general picture of the relationship among all these massive biomarkers. The results showed that different protein sources and feeding frequencies had significant interactive effects on growth performance, feed utilization efficiency, body lipid, and health status of largemouth bass. Fish fed with ChM feed showed similar performance to that in FM group, implying its potential for complete replacement of fishmeal in largemouth bass. Fish fed with CAP, TM, and CPC feeds showed worse performance compared to FM and ChM groups, characterized by poor growth and feed utilization, enhanced stress, chronic inflammation, and varying symptoms of histological changes in the liver and intestine, which demonstrated the adverse effects of the complete replacement of fishmeal by these three proteins. In terms of feeding frequency, fish fed with FM feed in FF3 group led to liver hypertrophy, fat accumulation, and the risk of fatty liver, while inducing liver inflammation. In addition, the TM and CAP group had the higher expression levels of inflammatory factors at FF3 group, which displayed that the interactions between FM, CAP, TM feeds and feeding frequency at FF3 might aggravate the occurrence of liver inflammation and oxidative damage of hepatocytes. Overall, FF2 had higher feed efficiency, protein efficiency, antioxidant enzyme and lysozyme activities, lower MDA content, and lower gene expression of inflammatory cytokines and could be considered as the optimum feeding frequency for largemouth bass fed with different protein feeds.

The Effect of Cryogenic Treatment on Microstructure and Properties of WC–Co Cemented Carbides

The Effect of Cryogenic Treatment on Microstructure and Properties of WC–Co Cemented Carbides

Effects of intermittent theta burst stimulation add-on to dialectical behavioral therapy in borderline personality disorder: results of a randomized, sham-controlled pilot trial

AbstractDialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) are both effective in borderline personality disorder (BPD). We hypothesized that intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS), a modified rTMS protocol that provides unilateral stimulation to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, would enhance the effects of DBT and reduce BPD-specific symptoms more than sham stimulation. We performed a single-blind, randomized, sham-controlled pilot study to evaluate iTBS as an add-on to 8-week DBT for BPD in routine inpatient treatment. A total of 53 BPD patients were randomly assigned to either iTBS (n = 25) or sham stimulation (n = 28) in weeks 4–8 of DBT; 40 patients were eligible for inclusion in the analyses according to pre-specified criteria (≥ 16 of 20 iTBS sessions). The primary endpoint was change on the 23-item Borderline Symptom List; secondary endpoints were changes in depressive symptoms and general level of functioning. A mixed model repeated measures analysis with a 2 × 2 factorial between-subjects design showed no significant effect of add-on iTBS treatment, but a distinct trend was observed in favor of iTBS (Cohen’s d = 0.23 for group difference). We found a main effect of DBT with and without iTBS over time, indicating efficacy of 8 weeks’ DBT (d = 0.89–1.12). iTBS may be beneficial as an add-on to DBT in the long term and warrants further evaluation in larger studies. Trial registration Registered at drks.de (no. DRKS00020413) on January 13, 2020.

Effect of Deep Cryogenic Treatment on the Mechanical Properties and Defect Tolerance of Selective-Laser-Melted 316L Stainless Steel

Effect of Deep Cryogenic Treatment on the Mechanical Properties and Defect Tolerance of Selective-Laser-Melted 316L Stainless Steel

The effect of periodontal treatments on endothelial function in degrees of periodontitis patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective This article focus on patients with moderate-to-severe periodontitis and periodontitis patients with cardiovascular disease. After they received periodontal initial therapy or antimicrobial drug treatment, was there any improvement in endothelial function during short- and long-term followups? Method Relevant randomized controlled trials and clinical trials up to 30th June 2024 were identified and retrieved from electronic databases including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and CNKI databases, with periodontitis therapy, periodontal disease and endothelial function as the keywords. The weighted (WMD) or standardized mean difference (SMD) was calculated using a fixed- or random-effect model and assessed heterogeneous results. Result Generally, 14 studies published between 2004 and 2022 were eligible for the meta-analysis, which are all randomised clinical trials. A total of 491 periodontitis patients were screened. All participants received whole-mouth supragingival and subgingival scaling and root planing of the teeth, some trials combined with antimicrobial drug treatment as well as extracting teeth that could not be saved. The outcome indicators were measured by flow-mediated dilatation(FMD) levels. The results of the short term (≤3 months) periodontitis initial therapy group showed positive results (WMD = -3.78,95%CI = [-5.49,-2.07], P<0.0001), while the results of the long term (6 months) periodontitis therapy group exhibited significant difference (WMD = -0.96,95%CI = [-2.06,0.14],P = 0.09). Furthermore, study population were categorized according to the severity of periodontitis, the presence of comorbidities, endothelial dysfunction, and the inclusion of extractions and antimicrobial therapy in the treatment process. The effects of each of these factors on FMD were explored and the results of these subgroups all support periodontitis therapy. Conclusion The results showed that periodontal treatment enhances endothelial function. Additionally, after subgroup analysis of long-term and short-term follow-up, patients with severe periodontitis, and different periodontal treatments, periodontal therapy was shown to increase FMD levels.

Effects of Ultrasonic Treatment and Hydrogen Donor Addition on the Viscosity of Iraqi Heavy Crude Oil

يختبر البحث الحالي التأثيرات المشتركة للإشعاع بالموجات فوق الصوتية والمادة المانحة للهيدروجين على لزوجة النفط الخام الثقيل. تمت دراسة تأثير زمن التعرض للموجات فوق الصوتية والطاقة ودورة التشغيل ودرجة الحرارة على لزوجة النفط الخام العراقي الثقيل الذي يملك قيمة .20.32 = API كما تم فحص لزوجة عينات النفط الخام التي تم خلطها بمانح الهيدروجين (Decalin) وإخضاعها للمعالجة بالموجات فوق الصوتية في ظل الظروف المثالية، لتقييم التأثير المشترك للإشعاع بالموجات فوق الصوتية والمانح للهيدروجين على لزوجة النفط الخام. شهدت اللزوجة انخفاضًا بنسبة 52.34 % بعد دقيقتين من التعرض للموجات فوق الصوتية، عند طاقة 360 W ، دورة تشغيل 0.8، 35 درجة مئوية، وأضافه %8 نسبة حجمية من Decalin. للتحقق من صحة نتائج التجارب، تم إجراء فحص محتوى الأسفلتين، محتوى الكبريت، API، واختبار التقطير على كل من العينة الاولية و النهائية (في ظل الظروف المثلى). وأظهرت تراكيز الأسفلتين والكبريت انخفاضا قدره37.51 % و%35.04 على التوالي. تشير النتائج إلى أن ظاهرة التجويف وظاهرة الحرارة والتأثير الميكانيكي للموجات فوق الصوتية قد تساهم في تكسير سلاسل الكربون الممتدة وتقليل حجم الإسفلتين المتجمع مما يؤدي إلى انخفاض لزوجة النفط الخام. علاوة على ذلك، أظهرت النتائج أن التطبيق المتزامن للموجات فوق الصوتية والمادة المانحة للهيدروجين أدى إلى انخفاض كبير في لزوجة النفط الخام عند مقارنته بالنفط الخام غير المعالج أو المعالج بالموجات فوق الصوتية فقط.

Seedling Growth and Nutritional Status of Elaeagnus angustifolia and Robinia pseudoacacia as Response to Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and K-Humate

ABSTRACT This study aimed to reveal the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizae and K-humate on some of the morphological characteristics and growth of Russian olive (RO; Elaeagnus angustifolia L.) and black locust (BL; Robinia pseudoacacia L.). The indigenous mycorrhizal spores (Claroideoglomus claroideum, Claroideoglomus etunicatum, Claroideoglomus luteum, and Funneliformis mosseae) collected from rhizospheres of RO and BL trees in afforestation sites located in Central Anatolia. In addition, commercial mycorrhizal mixture and K-humate were used as treatments. Five treatments (1—indigenous mycorrhizal fungi, 2—K-humate, 3—indigenous mycorrhizal fungi + K-humate, 4—commercial mycorrhizal fungi, and 5—control) were assigned in a completely randomized design for both tree species. Four months after the treatments, inoculation rate, above-ground seedling height, fresh and dry weight, root collar diameter, length, fresh, and dry weight, leaf area index, shot-to-root dry weight ratio, seedling height to root collar diameter ratio, and Dickson quality index were determined. Plant and soil analyses were carried out to determine the effects of treatments on plant and soil nutrition. Indigenous arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and K-humate combinations had positive effects on the morphological characteristics and nutritional status of the seedlings. The indigenous mycorrhizal and K-humate interaction showed the most pronounced effects on RO growth and nutrition.

Controlled Grazing as a Pathway for Enhancing Investment in Multipurpose Trees and Welfare

Abstract In Africa, rangeland ecosystems have been exploited due to heavy and unsustainable grazing. Policy and institutional mechanisms such as integrating silvopastoral systems with sustainable grazing practices have been devised to mitigate the negative effects. In this study, we investigated whether the uptake of sustainable grazing management in the form of controlled grazing spurs investment in multipurpose trees (MPTs) and enhances income. Using instrumental variable regression, we find that controlled grazing increases not only the propensity to plant MPTs but also the number of tree species. More importantly, IV and treatment effect results indicate that controlled grazing enhances income from MPTs.

Multifocal Electroretinography Changes after UBX1325 (Foselutoclax) Treatment in Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Background/Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the treatment effect of foselutoclax in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) by multifocal electroretinography (mfERG) and evaluate mfERG as a potential clinical endpoint in AMD studies. Methods: A total of five subjects were included in the study who had active choroidal neovascularization and a history of at least two anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections in the last 6 months. Subjects received a 50 µL intravitreal injection of foselutoclax at the baseline visit and Weeks 4, 24, and 28 of the study period. Results: After foselutoclax treatment, the largest improvement in the mfERG N1-P1 response density occurred at Week 8 as three of five subjects achieved a ≥20% gain. In addition, three of five subjects demonstrated a BCVA improvement of ≥5 ETDRS letters over baseline at Weeks 4, 8, and 24. The mean change in BCVA demonstrated statistical significance in Weeks 4 and 8, showing increases of 5 (p = 0.02) and 6.2 (p = 0.02) letters, respectively. Conclusions: Foselutoclax treatment was shown to have the potential to recover outer retinal function as determined by mfERG and BCVA at approximately Week 8 of treatment.

Pulsed Light Treatment Effect on Color, Oxidative Stability, and L. monocytogenes Population of Sliced Mortadella

Pulsed Light Treatment Effect on Color, Oxidative Stability, and L. monocytogenes Population of Sliced Mortadella

Improving treatment plan and mental health in children with abdominal infection for broad-spectrum bacterial infections

BACKGROUND Pediatric abdominal infection is a common but serious disease that requires timely and effective treatment. In surgical treatment, accurate diagnosis and rational application of antibiotics are the keys to improving treatment effects. AIM To investigate the effect of broad-spectrum bacterial detection on postoperative antibiotic therapy. METHODS A total of 100 children with abdominal infection who received surgical treatment in our hospital from September 2020 to July 2021 were grouped. The observation group collected blood samples upon admission and sent them for broad-spectrum bacterial infection nucleic acid testing, and collected pus or exudate during the operation for bacterial culture and drug sensitivity testing; the control group only sent bacterial culture and drug sensitivity testing during the operation. RESULTS White blood cell count, C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, 3 days after surgery, showed better postoperative index than the control group (P < 0.05). The hospital stay in the observation group was significantly shorter than that in the control group. The hospitalization cost in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Early detection of broad-spectrum bacterial infection nucleic acids in pediatric abdominal infections can help identify pathogens sooner and guide the appropriate use of antibiotics, improving treatment outcomes and reducing medical costs to some extent.

Towards a fully automatic workflow for investigating the dynamics of lung cancer cachexia during radiotherapy using cone beam computed tomography

Abstract Objective. Cachexia is a devastating condition, characterized by involuntary loss of muscle mass with or without loss of adipose tissue mass. It affects more than half of patients with lung cancer, diminishing treatment effects and increasing mortality. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images, routinely acquired during radiotherapy treatment, might contain valuable anatomical information for monitoring body composition changes associated with cachexia. For this purpose, we propose an automatic artificial intelligence (AI)-based workflow, consisting of CBCT to CT conversion, followed by segmentation of pectoralis muscles. 
Approach. Data from 140 stage III non-small cell lung cancer patients was used. Two deep learning models, cycle-consistent generative adversarial network (CycleGAN) and contrastive unpaired translation (CUT), were used for unpaired training of CBCT to CT conversion, to generate synthetic CT (sCT) images. The no-new U-Net (nnU-Net) model was used for automatic pectoralis muscle segmentation. To evaluate tissue segmentation performance in the absence of ground truth labels, an uncertainty metric (UM) based on Monte Carlo dropout was developed and validated. 
Main results. Both CycleGAN and CUT restored the Hounsfield unit fidelity of the CBCT images compared to the planning CT (pCT) images and visually reduced streaking artefacts. The nnU-Net model achieved a Dice Similarity Coefficient (DSC) of 0.93, 0.94, 0.92 for the CT, sCT and CBCT images, respectively, on an independent test set. The UM showed a high correlation with DSC with a correlation coefficient of -0.84 for the pCT dataset and -0.89 for the sCT dataset. 
Significance. This paper shows a proof-of-concept for automatic AI-based monitoring of the pectoralis muscle area of lung cancer patients during radiotherapy treatment based on CBCT images, which provides an unprecedented time resolution of muscle mass loss during cachexia progression. Ultimately, the proposed workflow could provide valuable information for early intervention of cachexia, ideally resulting in improved cancer treatment outcome.

Robust causal inference for point exposures with missing confounders

AbstractLarge observational databases are often subject to missing data. As such, methods for causal inference must simultaneously handle confounding and missingness; surprisingly little work has been done at this intersection. Motivated by this, we propose an efficient and robust estimator of the causal average treatment effect from cohort studies when confounders are missing at random. The approach is based on a novel factorization of the likelihood that, unlike alternative methods, facilitates flexible modelling of nuisance functions (e.g., with state‐of‐the‐art machine learning methods) while maintaining nominal convergence rates of the final estimators. Simulated data, derived from an electronic health record‐based study of the long‐term effects of bariatric surgery on weight outcomes, verify the robustness properties of the proposed estimators in finite samples. Our approach may serve as a theoretical benchmark against which ad hoc methods may be assessed.

Transportability of model‐based estimands in evidence synthesis

In evidence synthesis, effect modifiers are typically described as variables that induce treatment effect heterogeneity at the individual level, through treatment‐covariate interactions in an outcome model parametrized at such level. As such, effect modification is defined with respect to a conditional measure, but marginal effect estimates are required for population‐level decisions in health technology assessment. For noncollapsible measures, purely prognostic variables that are not determinants of treatment response at the individual level may modify marginal effects, even where there is individual‐level treatment effect homogeneity. With heterogeneity, marginal effects for measures that are not directly collapsible cannot be expressed in terms of marginal covariate moments, and generally depend on the joint distribution of conditional effect measure modifiers and purely prognostic variables. There are implications for recommended practices in evidence synthesis. Unadjusted anchored indirect comparisons can be biased in the absence of individual‐level treatment effect heterogeneity, or when marginal covariate moments are balanced across studies. Covariate adjustment may be necessary to account for cross‐study imbalances in joint covariate distributions involving purely prognostic variables. In the absence of individual patient data for the target, covariate adjustment approaches are inherently limited in their ability to remove bias for measures that are not directly collapsible. Directly collapsible measures would facilitate the transportability of marginal effects between studies by: (1) reducing dependence on model‐based covariate adjustment where there is individual‐level treatment effect homogeneity or marginal covariate moments are balanced; and (2) facilitating the selection of baseline covariates for adjustment where there is individual‐level treatment effect heterogeneity.

Bayesian Shrinkage Estimation of Credible Subgroups for Count Data with Excess Zeros

Heterogeneity of treatment effects due to heterogeneous patient characteristics often arises in clinical trials. Subgroup analysis and the analysis of interactions are the most common approaches for evaluating such heterogeneous effects but do not explicitly address multiplicity issues. Another common challenge of analyzing treatment effect heterogeneity is the large number of possible covariates which inevitably causes problems related to multiplicity and lack of power. In this article, we develop a Bayesian credible subgroups method using continuous shrinkage priors to assess heterogeneity in treatment effects and multiplicity-adjusted benefiting subgroup identification for zero-inflated count data, which are often encountered in medical and public health studies. Our proposed method provides two bounding subgroups for the true benefiting subgroup: one that is probably contained by the true benefiting subgroup and one that probably contains the true benefiting subgroup. A simulation study has been conducted to compare the performance of the proposed method with other methods through frequentist properties. We apply our method to a clinical bladder tumor trial studying the effect of thiotepa treatment on the reduction of the recurrence of bladder tumor.

Oral versus intravenous antibiotic therapy for Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia or endocarditis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

We conducted a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to generate more precise estimates of the efficacy and safety of oral versus intravenous antibiotic therapy for S. aureus bacteremia or endocarditis. MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science database were searched through February 21st, 2024. RCTs were included if they compared oral versus intravenous antibiotic therapy for S. aureus bacteremia or endocarditis, and appropriately reported outcomes for each group. Risk of bias was assessed using the revised Cochrane tool for assessing risk of bias in randomized trials. Heterogeneity between studies was evaluated with the Cochran's Q-statistic and I2 test. Treatment effects were summarized with pooled risk ratios using a random effects model meta-analysis. (PROSPERO CRD42024481512). Only four RCTs met criteria for inclusion in meta-analysis. Among participants assessed for treatment failure, there was no difference between the oral and intravenous therapy groups (RR 0.99; 95% CI, 0.63-1.57; I2 = 0%). There was also no significant difference in adverse events between oral and intravenous therapy groups (RR 0.65; 95% CI, 0.07-5.94; I2 = 74%); however, the confidence interval is wide, and heterogeneity was high. In this systematic review of RCTs comparing oral to intravenous antibiotic therapy for S. aureus bacteremia or endocarditis, few studies met eligibility criteria for inclusion. Meta-analysis of these studies suggests that transitioning from intravenous to oral therapy is likely effective in a subgroup of carefully selected patients. Additional randomized trials are necessary before transition to oral therapy can be routinely recommended.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication Interventions in Critical and Acute Care With Mechanically Ventilated and Tracheostomy Patients: A Scoping Review.

Communication with nonspeaking patients is a critical challenge of person-centered care. This scoping review aimed to map the literature on augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) interventions for nonspeaking mechanically ventilated and tracheostomy patients in critical and acute care settings. Electronic database, ancestry, and forward citation searches were conducted using eligibility criteria established a priori. Data were extracted, synthesized, and summarized according to scoping review methodology. Studies were categorized by type of intervention and summarized in terms of purpose, participants, design, quality appraisal (including validity and reliability of selected efficacy measures), and efficacy. Small-to-large treatment effect sizes indicated demonstrable impact on patient health and communication efficacy with high-tech and no-tech visual interface-based interventions and systematic nurse training interventions. Treatment effects primarily pertained to dependent variables of patient anxiety, communication satisfaction, comfort, symptom self-reporting, and nursing practice changes. There is a paucity of high-quality AAC intervention research for mechanically ventilated and tracheostomy patients in critical and acute care settings. Emergent evidence suggests that select visual interface and nurse training interventions can impact efficacy of patient-provider communication and patients' overall health. https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.26506102.

Effects of Sterilization on Cellobiose Dehydrogenase and Glucose Oxidase Based Glucose Biosensors

AbstractResearch on implantable glucose biosensors is driven by the need for innovative medical devices for continuous glucose monitoring in patients with diabetes mellitus. However, biosensor sterilization is a step that is widely omitted during the process of innovation. To compare the effects of gamma irradiation and chemical treatment with ethylene oxide (carbon microarray electrodes are fabricated, functionalized with glucose oxidizing enzymes (cellobiose dehydrogenase CDH or glucose oxidase GOx), and coated with a specifically designed zwitterionic polymer prior to the sterilization step. Cyclic voltammetry in the presence of 100 mm glucose of the biosensors before and after sterilization shows that gamma irradiation with a low radiation rate (25 kGy, 260 Gy h−1) does not induce a sensor performance loss, unlike the EtO treatment. In addition, no cytotoxic by‐products are released after gamma sterilization. Based on these results obtained with both glucose oxidizing enzymes (CDH and GOx), gamma irradiation of the glucose biosensors with a low dose rate is preferable to exposure to EtO for biosensor terminal sterilization.

Numerical Simulation of Effects of Previous PVD Treatment on Second Vacuum-PVD Improvement

The influence of the initial improvement through prefabricated vertical drains (PVD) and surcharge embankment on the second improvement by vacuum PVD has not been comprehensively explored in the existing literature. The expansion of the Second Bangkok International Airport (Suvarnabhumi Airport) underwent initial treatment with PVD and surcharge, followed by further soft ground improvement with vacuum PVD, which serves as a valuable case study for understanding the impact of the initial PVD improvement. This study highlights the effects of the initial PVD improvement through a comparison of two case studies: the first improvement by vacuum PVD on Taxiway Extension D at Zone 27 and the second vacuum PVD improvement on the Third Extension North at Zone 7. Extensive back analysis results reveal significantly higher flow parameters and reduced settlements for the second improvement at Zone 7 compared to the first improvement at Zone 27. The water contents, void ratios, and compression indices decreased while the undrained shear strengths and maximum past pressures increased. These results demonstrated the effectiveness of the vacuum PVD improvement with a modified field-distributed air-water separation system. Numerical studies further corroborated these findings and confirmed the observed crack patterns at the surface resulting from inward lateral movement.