Minimum Log Research Articles

Effect of dichoptic video game treatment on mild amblyopia - a pilot study.

PurposeThe effect of contrast‐balanced dichoptic video game training on distance visual acuity (DVA) and stereo acuity has been investigated in severe‐to‐moderate amblyopia, but its effect on mild amblyopia and fixation stability has not been assessed. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the effect of home‐based dichoptic video game on amblyopic eye DVA, stereo acuity and fixation stability in adults with mild amblyopia.MethodsA randomized single‐masked design was adopted. The active 6‐week home‐based treatment was an anaglyphic, contrast‐balanced dichoptic video game, and the placebo was an identical non‐dichoptic game. Participants (n = 23) had mild amblyopia (amblyopic DVA ≤ 0.28 log Minimum Angle of Resolution (logMAR)). The primary outcome was change in amblyopic DVA at 6 weeks postrandomization. Near visual acuity, stereo acuity and fixation stability (bivariate contour eclipse area) were also measured. Follow‐up occurred at 12 and 24 weeks postrandomization.ResultsMean amblyopic eye DVA was 0.21 ± 0.06 and 0.18 ± 0.06 logMAR for the active (n = 12) and placebo (n = 11) group, respectively. Amblyopic DVA improved significantly more in the active group (0.09 ± 0.05) than in the placebo group (0.03 ± 0.04 logMAR; p < 0.05). The difference between groups remained at 12 weeks postrandomization (p = 0.04) but not at 24 weeks (p = 0.43). Titmus stereo acuities improved significantly more in the active group (0.40 log arcsec) than in the placebo group (0.09 log arcsec) after 6 weeks of gameplay. The between‐group difference was still present at 24 weeks postrandomization (p = 0.05). There were no differences between groups on any other secondary outcomes.ConclusionHome‐based dichoptic video gameplay may be an effective method to improve amblyopic DVA and stereo acuity in mild amblyopia.

How do early socioeconomic circumstances impact inflammatory trajectories? Findings from Generation XXI

BackgroundThe association between socioeconomic position and markers of inflammation in adults, including C-reactive protein (CRP), is well-established. We hypothesized that children from families of less-advantaged socioeconomic circumstances may be at higher inflammatory risk during childhood and, consequently, throughout their life course. Thus, we aimed to investigate whether early socioeconomic circumstances impact CRP trajectories using repeated measures of data from a population-based birth cohort. MethodsData from 2510 participants of Generation XXI, a prospective Portuguese population-based birth cohort, were included in this study. Early socioeconomic circumstances comprised maternal education and occupation, paternal education and occupation, and household income at the child’s birth. Venous blood samples were collected from the children at ages four, seven, and ten years, and high-sensitivity CRP (Hs-CRP) was quantified. Hs-CRP trajectories were computed using a linear mixed-model approach. ResultsParticipants from less-advantaged socioeconomic circumstances presented higher levels of Hs-CRP by age of ten years. The higher the mother´s education and disposable household income, the lower the minimum value of the log Hs-CRP observed throughout childhood. Further, the age at which that minimum log Hs-CRP value was reached occurs later, meaning that children born in more-advantaged socioeconomic circumstances had lower levels of log Hs-CRP compared with children from less-advantaged families. ConclusionsPoor socioeconomic circumstances early in life are associated with increased inflammation levels throughout the first decade of life. This study demonstrates that social inequalities may impact population health beginning at very early ages.

Speech enhancement - an enhanced principal component analysis (EPCA) filter approach

Speech enhancement aims at improving the quality of speech in a noisy environment, also in applications such as speech recognition systems, hearing aids, teleconferencing, etc. Researchers have suggested various techniques to improve the quality of speech signal in a noisy environment. Kalman filtering technique showed better performance and was found remarkable in removing noise components. Therefore, this proposed method employs an improved version of the Kalman filter for the removal of noise in speech signals. A Principal Component Analysis (PCA) developed Kalman filter is proposed for enhancing speech intelligibility and quality. The simulation results prove the recommended technique of enhancing speech signals. It is better in performance compared with Modulation Compressive Sensing, Compressed Sensing Frequency, Wiener filter, and Log Minimum Mean Square Error (LogMMSE) in terms of Short-Time Objective Intelligibility (STOI), Segmental Signal to Noise Ratio (SSNR) and Perceptual Evaluation of Speech Quality (PESQ) for different noise levels.

Microbial Quality of Fresh and Frozen Fish from Markets of Lahore

The present study aims at the microbiological analysis of market oriented fresh and frozen fish. Displayed portions of raw fish and frozen carried bacteria that can cause foodborne diseases clearly indicates the risk posed by poor sanitation and unhygienic handling, storage and transportation conditions of fish sold in the markets. Research was designed to compare the presence of indigenous and nonindigenous foodborne bacterial pathogens in displayed, prepacked and packed portions of fish in different markets of Lahore, Pakistan. A total 40 samples of fish were purchased from Super Store (Hyper star), Local Market (local carry shop Mughalpura), Retail shop (Data Darbar), and Fresh water (River Ravi) in Lahore city and analyzed for their microbial quality. All the samples were positive for Total plate count, coliform count, Staphylococcal count, Vibrio count. Among 10 fresh water fish samples mean total Plate Count was 3.8 x 103 CFU/g (log 3.58 ± 0.03526 CFU/g). Among 10 super store fish samples mean total plate count was 4.9 x 104 CFU/g (log 4.05 ± 0.22815CFU/g). Among 10 retail store fish samples mean total plate count was 5.02 x 104 CFU/g (4.19 ± 0.0343 CFU/g) and among 10 local market fish samples mean total plate count was 5.14 x 104 CFU/g (4.212 ± 0.03793 CFU/g). In total, the plate counts range from minimum count log 3.16 to maximum count of 5.30 CFU/g. This study revealed that fish sold in Pakistan could be a source of foodborne bacterial pathogens. Improvements in handling and processing are needed to minimize the prevalence of pathogenic bacteria.

High-temperature mechanical behaviors of diffusion-welded Alloy 617

The development of a compact-type heat exchanger is one of the critical issues for realizing an efficient gas-to-gas heat exchanging system in a very high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (VHTR). The nickel-based superalloy Alloy 617 (Ni-Cr-Co-Mo, UNS N06617) is considered as the leading material for this application owing to the excellent thermal stability and strength in high temperature ranges. Sixty sheets having dimensions of 200 × 200 mm2 were diffusion-welded under uniaxial compressive pressure of 14.7 MPa at 1423 K (1150 °C) in a high vacuum condition. After 2 h of hot pressing, a post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) was applied to enhance the constituent atomic diffusion across the interface. To evaluate the high-temperature mechanical properties, tensile and stress-rupture tests were employed in this study. In tensile tests, the yield strength of the diffusion weldment is 318 ± 4 MPa at room temperature, and superior yield strengths over the ASME code requirement are maintained up to 1223 K (950 °C). Similarly, the tensile strength reaches 730 ± 15 MPa with ductility of 37.1 ± 1.4% at room temperature. However, both the tensile strength and ductility drop rapidly at elevated temperatures (≥973 K (700 °C)). During stress-rupture testing at a fixed temperature of 1173 K (900 °C) in an ambient air environment, the diffusion weldment shows lower creep properties. A plot of log time-to-rupture vs. log minimum creep rate is illustrated on the basis of the Monkman-Grant (M–G) relationship.

Retinal and visual function in infants with non-accidental trauma and retinal hemorrhages.

To investigate retinal function and visual outcomes in infants with retinal hemorrhages due to non-accidental trauma (NAT). This is a retrospective review of full-field or multifocal electroretinogram (ERG) recordings, visual acuity in log minimum angle of resolution (logMAR), clinical status, and neuroimaging. Multifocal ERGs from the central 40° were compared to corresponding fundus imaging. Visual acuity was measured by Teller cards at follow-up. ERGs were compared to controls recorded under anesthesia. Sixteen children met inclusion criteria (14 recorded during the acute phase and 2 during long-term follow-up). During the acute phase, ERGs (n = 4 full field; n = 10 multifocal ERG) showed abnormal amplitude, latency, or both in at least one eye. Ten subjects had significantly reduced responses in both eyes, 3 of which had an ERG dominated by a negative waveform (absent b-wave or P1). The remaining six subjects had responses in one eye that were near normal (≥ 50% of controls). ERGs were sometimes abnormal in local areas without hemorrhage. ERGs could be preserved in local areas adjacent to traumatic retinoschisis. Two subjects with reduced visual acuity had belated ERGs: One had an abnormal macular ERG and the other had a normal macular ERG implying cortical visual impairment. At follow-up, 10 of 14 subjects had significant visual acuity loss (≥ 0.7 age-corrected logMAR); four subjects had mild vision loss (≤ 0.5 age-corrected logMAR). Visual acuity outcome was not reliably associated with the fundus appearance in the acute phase. All subjects with a negative ERG waveform had severe vision loss on follow-up. Retinal dysfunction was common during the acute phase of NAT. A near normal appearing fundus did not imply normal retinal function, and ERG abnormality did not always predict a poor visual acuity outcome. However, a negative ERG waveform was associated severe visual acuity loss. Potential artifacts of retinal hemorrhages and anesthesia could not fully account for multifocal ERG abnormalities. Retinal function can be preserved in areas adjacent to traumatic retinoschisis.

The Impact of the Minimum Wage on DI Participation

This report provides an empirical analysis of the impact of the minimum wage on DI claims and awards. It draws on data from the Social Security Administration’s State Agencies Monthly Workload Dataset, from which a state-by-year panel of DI claims and awards is constructed for 2002-2017 and matched to data on the real effective minimum wage, the higher of the federal and state minimum wage in each state and year. Then two reduced-form estimation methodologies are employed. The first follows studies in the hourly wage-inequality literature and models log DI claims as a function of the bindingness of the minimum wage in the state hourly wage distribution. The second follows studies in the minimum wage disemployment literature and models log claims (in both levels and first-differences) as a function of a distributed lag of the minimum wage.

Inner log temperatures vary with log direction and forest cover: Implications for predicting the phenology of saproxylic insects

Ambient temperature is frequently used to model the development of many herbivorous insects. Estimating development rates of cryptic saproxylic species in wood will be biased by the presence of differences between internal log temperatures, where larvae feed, and measured ambient conditions outside of logs. We tested for differences between ambient temperatures at the log surface and internal log temperatures as a function of habitat type (recent clearfell area and pine forest stands), log direction (north- and south-facing), depth (5–20 cm) and season (summer and winter). Internal log temperatures varied from log surface temperatures in all cases and were influenced by depth, depth × habitat, and depth × log direction interactions. A simple constant correction factor could not explain the relationship between log surface and internal log temperatures. Mean internal log temperatures were between 0.88 and 3.68 °C warmer in clearfells compared to forest stands irrespective of log direction or depth. During summer the average daily minimum temperatures were 2.3–4.1 °C warmer in logs compared to the log surface under a conifer canopy and up to 9.8 °C warmer in adjacent recently clearfelled areas. During winter the internal log minimum temperatures were 2.0–2.8 °C warmer under a conifer canopy and 2.6–5.2 °C warmer in recently clearfelled areas compared to log surface temperatures. Differences between log surface and internal minimum temperatures increased consistently with depth into the log. Accurate models that translate observed ambient temperatures to internal log temperatures that are representative of the location of feeding larvae are necessary to model saproxylic insect development at the landscape scale. Results from this study demonstrate that these translation models will have to consider depth, log orientation, and season.

Objective measurement of forward-scattered light in the human eye: An electrophysiological approach.

PurposePsychophysical measurements are used to examine the perception of ocular stray light, for example, with C-Quant. These measurements are subjective due to their principles. This work aims to determine ocular stray light objectively; thus, a psychophysical method is transferred into an electrophysiological setup.MethodsStray light perception was measured using steady-state visual evoked potentials (VEPs) in 10 healthy subjects (7 males, 3 females, mean age ± SD: 29.6 ± 4.1 years). Stray light emulating filters (Tiffen Black Pro Mist 2) were used for simulating the effect of cataracts to validate the results for increased scattered light conditions. Based on the direct compensation method, the stimulus consisted of a central test field (radius = 2°) with a luminance adjustable compensation light and surrounding ring-shaped stray light source (radius = 5 to 10°). Both flickered in the counter phase at a frequency of 7.5 Hz. The stimuli were presented for 15 luminance levels of the compensation light. The recorded steady-state VEPs at Oz channel were transformed by means of Fourier analysis. The magnitudes at the evoked frequency were plotted against the measured brightness levels of the compensation light. By fitting two linear functions to the resulting data points, a robust minimum log(Leq) was determined, which was correlated with the amount of stray light perception. We measured the stray light parameter log(sc) using C-Quant. For comparison, our results were converted into the C-Quant equivalent parameter log(sepm) and paired t-tests were performed for normal distributed results.ResultsA significant difference is observed between log(sepm) (without filter) and log(sepm) (with BPM 2 Filter) (p>0.05). No significant difference is observed between log(sepm) (without filter) and log(sc) (without filter) (p > 0.05) and between log(sepm) (with BPM 2 filter) and log(sc) (with BPM 2 filter) (p > 0.05).ConclusionThe electrophysiological approach offers the ability to measure stray light perception in an objective manner.

Commentary on: Longitudinal Assessment of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Training in the United States: The Effect of Increased ACGME Case Log Minimum Requirements.

Commentary on: Longitudinal Assessment of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Training in the United States: The Effect of Increased ACGME Case Log Minimum Requirements.

1146. Effectiveness of Ultraviolet Irradiation on Candida auris: A Laboratory Study

Background Candida auris is a multidrug-resistant yeast which persists on healthcare surfaces for prolonged periods of time and is an emerging pathogen in hospitals. It has been linked to healthcare-associated infection (HAI) through surface transmission. Mobile ultraviolet (UV) light emitting devices from mercury sources have been shown to be effective in reducing C. auris bioburden but require prolonged exposure. In this study, we demonstrate the efficacy of an UV emitting device used in our hospital for terminal disinfection on C. auris.MethodsTwo C. auris strains (AR-381-CAU-01 and CAU-02) isolates obtained from Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) were used along with a Candida albicans (C. albicans) strain. An organism load of 10 μL containing 106 colony forming unit (CFU) was spread on a 20-mm diameter stainless steel coupon and exposed to the UV source from a pulsed xenon device at 5 feet distance and 4 feet height for 5, 10, and 30 minutes. Killing efficacy in terms of log reduction was calculated in comparison to untreated control coupons.ResultsMean CFU log10 reduction for C. albicans, CAU-01, and CAU-02 was 0.547, 1.051, and 0.952 at 5 minutes; 1.412, 1.975, and 1.879 at 10 minutes; and 2.639, 3.971, and 4.145 at 30 minutes, respectively. Figure 1 describes the mean log10 reduction as well as the minimum and maximum log reduction by isolates.ConclusionOur study demonstrates the UV from a pulsed xenon device is effective in reducing the C. auris on stainless steel coupons. Similar to previously published data on reduction of C. auris by other UV sources, extended exposure is required to achieve a higher log reduction of C. auris. We did not have any C. auris clinical infections to assess efficacy of UV on HAI reduction. Disclosures C. Jinadatha, Xenex Healthcare Service: Grant Investigator, Research grant.

Longitudinal Assessment of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Training in the United States: The Effect of Increased ACGME Case Log Minimum Requirements.

In 2014, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) increased the minimum required aesthetic surgery cases for graduation from plastic surgery residency from 50 to 150. To date, there has been no research into how this has impacted resident aesthetic surgery training focusing on the resident perception. We sought to evaluate resident perception and satisfaction with their aesthetic surgery training before and after the ACGME case log requirement increase to assess its impact on training and comfort level. A survey was administered to all graduating senior residents attending the Senior Residents Conference of the ASPS Annual Meeting in 2014 and 2017. The survey evaluated senior resident aesthetic surgery experience and their confidence and satisfaction with their training. The response rate was 70% in 2014 and 45% in 2017. There was an increase in the number of programs with resident-run cosmetic clinics (14% increase) and designated aesthetic rotations (33% increase) during that time. Resident-run cosmetic clinics were consistently considered the most valuable form of aesthetic training for residents. There also was a substantial increase in the percentage of residents feeling prepared to incorporate aesthetic surgery into their practice after graduation, increasing from 36% to 59% in 2017. The majority of responding residents felt that the ACGME case log requirement increase in 2014 was beneficial for their aesthetic surgery training (68%). The recent ACGME case log requirement increase for aesthetic surgery training has had a positive effect on resident comfort with aesthetic procedures and their ability to incorporate them into future practice.

Visual pathway function and structure in Wolfram syndrome: patient age, variation and progression

Background/aimsTo report alterations in visual acuity and visual pathway structure over an interval of 1–3 years in a cohort of children, adolescents and young adults who have Wolfram syndrome (WFS)...

A Standardized Arabic Reading Acuity Chart: The Balsam Alabdulkader-Leat Chart.

The aim of this study was to develop and validate the first standardized Arabic continuous text near-visual-acuity chart, the Balsam Alabdulkader-Leat (BAL) chart. Three versions of the BAL chart were created from previously validated sentences. Reading acuity (RA) and reading speed in standard-length words per minute (SLWPM) were measured for three versions of the BAL chart and three English charts (MNREAD, Colenbrander, and Radner) for 86 bilingual adults with normal vision aged 15 to 59 years. The RA and SLWPM were compared using analysis of variance. To analyze agreement between the charts, Bland-Altman plots were used. Normal visual acuity (0.00 logMAR [log minimum angle of resolution]) was calibrated for the BAL chart with linear regression analysis. Average RAs for BAL1, BAL2, and BAL3 were 0.62, 0.64 and 0.65 log-point print, respectively, which were statistically significantly different (repeated-measures analysis of variance, P < .05), but not considered clinically significant. The coefficients of agreement for RA between the BAL charts were 0.054 (between 1 and 2), 0.061 (between 2 and 3), and 0.059 (between 1 and 3). Linear regression between the average RA for the BAL chart and the MNREAD and Radner charts showed that 0.7 log-point size at 40 cm is equivalent to 0.00 logMAR, and the new BAL chart was labeled accordingly. Mean SLWPM for the BAL charts was 201, 195, and 195 SLWPM, respectively, and for the Colenbrander, MNREAD, and Radner charts was 146, 171, and 146, respectively. The coefficients of agreement for log-SLWPM between BAL1 and BAL2, BAL2 and BAL3, and BAL1 and BAL3 were 0.063, 0.064, and 0.057 log-SLWPM, respectively. The BAL chart showed high interchart agreement. It is recommended for accurate near performance measures in Arabic for both research and clinical settings.

Origin of the El Dragón Selenium Mineralization, Quijarro Province, Potosí, Bolivia

A re-examination of the El Dragón vein-type Se deposit using polarized light microscopy and scanning-electron microscopy combined with electron-microprobe analyses revealed the following results: the detection of (a) petříčekite, krut’aite and penroseite close to endmember composition; (b) a yet unknown mineral of the ideal composition CuNi2Se4; (c) intermediate members of the vaesite-pyrite solid-solution series; and (d) a mineral with a composition intermediate between athabascaite and its yet unknown S-equivalent, Cu4S5. Triggered by volcanic-hydrothermal activities around the Porco caldera, formation of the mineralization involved five episodes of fault formation and re-opening, fluid-mediated metal mobilization, metalliferous fluid infiltration, and mineral precipitation, re-deposition, and alteration that probably extended from 12 Ma until today. The origin of the Se-vein was accomplished by the multiple injection of highly oxidized, metal-rich fluids into a fault at the interface between black shale and siltstone. These low-T solutions (estimated max. temperature 100 °C, max. pressure 1 bar) possessed high to exceptionally Se fugacities (log fSe2 fluctuating between of −14.5 and −11.2) that prevailed for most of the evolution of the deposit, only interrupted once, during the episode of deposition of sulfides of Cu and Fe and resulting partial alteration of the pre-existing selenides. Formation of end-member krut’aite and native selenium implies a minimum log fSe2 of −11.2 at the final stage of vein formation. The likely source of Se and the accompanying metals (Cu, Ag, Ni, Co, Au, Pb, Hg, Cd, Fe and Bi) is the neighboring Kupferschiefer-type (possibly Devonian) black shale rich in framboidal pyrite, Cu-sulfide aggregates, and organic matter. Deposition of Se-minerals occurred where the oxidized metal-bearing solutions became in contact with a reductant, associated with the reduction of mobile selenate to immobile selenide or elemental Se.

VEP analysis methods in children with optic nerve hypoplasia: relationship to visual acuity and optic disc diameter.

Assessing vision in young children with optic nerve hypoplasia (ONH) is challenging due to multi-directional infantile nystagmus, the range of optic nerve loss, and cognitive delay. This study examined visual evoked potential (VEP) responses and averaging techniques in children with ONH. The assumption is that EEG epochs with inconsistent temporal phase would be associated with nystagmus, signal reduction due to axon loss, and visual inattention. A retrospective chart review was performed on 44 children (average age 2.2years; SD 1.9). Optic disc diameter was estimated by ophthalmoscopy. Visual function was measured under binocular viewing and then compared to the eye with the larger optic disc to exclude secondary amblyopia. Visual acuity was measured by Teller cards or by recognition optotypes, and both measures were converted into log minimum angle of resolution (logMAR). VEPs were recorded to onset/offset of horizontal gratings and to reversing checkerboards. Signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) were estimated from phase consistency across epochs in the Fourier domain. VEPs were also averaged after (1) correction of epochs for phase shifts across a limited bandwidth, or (2) selection of only epochs showing phase consistency. Optic disc diameter, logMAR, VEP amplitudes, and VEP SNR were all significantly inter-correlated. Optic disc diameter correlated best with VEP SNR (Spearman rho=0.82; p<0.001). Age-corrected logMAR correlated with optic disc diameter and VEP SNR (Spearman rho=-0.695 and 0.70, respectively; p<0.001). VEP latency poorly correlated with optic disc diameter or logMAR. Correction of phase shifts or selection of epochs based on phase consistency significantly increased VEP amplitude and SNR for children with optic disc diameters <1000 microns. Correction of phase inconsistency did not improve the correlation of VEP parameters with optic disc diameter or with logMAR. In ONH, the size of the optic nerve is correlated with VEP SNR and logMAR. The results imply a direct relationship between the reduction in optic nerve axons and generalized reduction in visual function. Our calculation of VEP SNR provides objective assessment of optic nerve function that is independent of subjective scoring of VEP peaks.

2D matrix based indexing with color spectral histogram for efficient image retrieval

A novel content based image retrieval (CBIR) algorithm using relevant feedback is presented. The proposed framework has three major contributions: a novel feature descriptor called color spectral histogram (CSH) to measure the similarity between images; two-dimensional matrix based indexing approach proposed for short-term learning (STL); and long-term learning (LTL). In general, image similarities are measured from feature representation which includes color quantization, texture, color, shape and edges. However, CSH can describe the image feature only with the histogram. Typically the image retrieval process starts by finding the similarity between the query image and the images in the database; the major computation involved here is that the selection of top ranking images requires a sorting algorithm to be employed at least with the lower bound of O(nlogn). A 2D matrix based indexing of images can enormously reduce the search time in STL. The same structure is used for LTL with an aim to reduce the amount of log to be maintained. The performance of the proposed framework is analyzed and compared with the existing approaches, the quantified results indicates that the proposed feature descriptor is more effectual than the existing feature descriptors that were originally developed for CBIR. In terms of STL, the proposed 2D matrix based indexing minimizes the computation effort for retrieving similar images and for LTL, the proposed algorithm takes minimum log information than the existing approaches.

DIAGNOSTIC ACCURACY EVALUATION OF VISUAL ACUITY AND FUNDUS AUTOFLUORESCENCE MACULAR GEOGRAPHIC ATROPHY AREA FOR THE DISCRIMINATION OF STARGARDT GROUPS.

To evaluate diagnostic accuracy of visual acuity and fundus autofluorescence (FAF) macular geographic atrophy (GA) area for the discrimination of autosomal recessive Stargardt groups. Subjects aged <50 years old with confirmed molecular diagnoses were classified to Groups 1, 2, or 3 according to a full-field electroretinogram reference standard. Diagnostic accuracy of visual acuity and the FAF macular GA area was assessed with generalized estimating equations, receiver operating characteristic curve area under the curve, and support vector machines. Ten eyes were classified as Group 1 and 7 as Group 2. The mean log minimum angle resolution (Snellen equivalent) was 0.64 (20/87) for group 1 and 0.96 (20/182) for group 2. Mean FAF macular GA area was 0.96 mm for Group 1 and 3.23 mm for Group 2. The generalized estimating equation analysis showed an 8.3% increase in odds of Group 2 classification with each 0.1-unit increase in log minimum angle resolution and a 24% increase with each 1-mm increase in FAF macular GA area. Multivariate generalized estimating equation analysis showed that only the FAF macular GA area was significant. Area under the curve was 0.79 for log minimum angle resolution and 0.89 for FAF macular GA area. The support vector machine classification accuracy was 71% for log minimum angle resolution and 82% for FAF macular GA area. Visual acuity and FAF macular GA area had good independent accuracy for the discrimination of groups 1 and 2, indicating that they may serve as useful diagnostic parameters.

Twelve-month outcomes in patients with retinal vein occlusion treated with low-frequency intravitreal ranibizumab.

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to determine the clinical efficacy of low-frequency intravitreal ranibizumab to treat macular edema due to retinal vein occlusion (RVO).Patients and methodsThis was a retrospective examination of cases that received intravitreal ranibizumab for untreated RVO over a period of 12 months. Instead of the conventional three monthly injections, injections were given once during the introductory period. If the recurrence of macular edema was diagnosed during the monthly visit, additional injections were given as needed. There were 21 eyes of 21 patients with branch RVO (BRVO) and ten eyes of ten patients with central RVO (CRVO). The parameters examined included the number of injections over the 12-month period, improvements in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and the central macular thickness (CMT). For BRVO, preinjection parameters that had an effect on the prognosis of BCVA after the 12-month period were also examined.ResultsThe total mean number of injections over the 12-month period was 3.4 for CRVO and 2.1 for BRVO. For CRVO, the BCVA in log minimum angular resolution changed from a preinjection value of 0.80 to 0.55 at 12 months. For BRVO, the change was from 0.51 to 0.30. For all diseases, BCVA improved after 12 months compared with the preinjection values (P<0.05). There was improvement in the CMT, and the CRVO changed from 765.0 μm at preinjection to 253.5 μm 12 months later. BRVO changed from 524.1 to 250.1 μm, and pre-injection BCVA was associated with a prognosis of visual acuity after 12 months of the initial injection (P=0.0485).ConclusionEven with a low number of injections during the introductory period, there were still improvements in both visual acuity and CMT in RVO patients after 12 months, indicating that it was an effective treatment.

Nickeliferous pyrite tracks pervasive hydrothermal alteration in Martian regolith breccia: A study in NWA 7533

AbstractMartian regolith breccia NWA 7533 (and the seven paired samples) is unique among Martian meteorites in showing accessory pyrite (up to 1% by weight). Pyrite is a late mineral, crystallized after the final assembly of the breccia. It is present in all of the lithologies, i.e., the fine‐grained matrix (ICM), clast‐laden impact melt rocks (CLIMR), melt spherules, microbasalts, lithic clasts, and mineral clasts, all lacking magmatic sulfides due to degassing. Pyrite crystals show combinations of cubes, truncated cubes, and octahedra. Polycrystalline clusters can reach 200 μm in maximum dimensions. Regardless of their shape, pyrite crystals display evidence of very weak shock metamorphism such as planar features, fracture networks, and disruption into subgrains. The late fracture systems acted as preferential pathways for partial replacement of pyrite by iron oxyhydroxides interpreted as resulting from hot desert terrestrial alteration. The distribution and shape of pyrite crystals argue for growth at moderate to low growth rate from just‐saturated near neutral (6 &lt; pH&lt;10), H2S‐HS‐rich fluids at minimum log fO2 of &gt;FMQ + 2 log units. It is inferred from the maximum Ni contents (4.5 wt%) that pyrite started crystallizing at 400–500 °C, during or shortly after a short‐duration, relatively low temperature, thermal event that lithified and sintered the regolith breccias, 1.4 Ga ago as deduced from disturbance in several isotope systematics.