Mean Kmax Research Articles

Photorefractive Keratectomy Retreatment After LASIK

This prospective, randomized, controlled trial aims to provide evidence in relation to the efficacy and safety of corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) in the management of progressive keratoconus. Eligible eyes were separately randomized into either treatment or control groups. Collagen crosslinking was performed using 0.1% riboflavin (in 20% dextran T500) and ultraviolet A (UVA) irradiation (370 nm, 3 mW/cm2, 30 min) in accordance with a previously published protocol. At each review, a full clinical ophthalmic examination was performed including endothelial cell count and confocal microscopy. To date, 66 eyes of 49 patients with documented progression of keratoconus have been enrolled and randomized. Interim analysis of treated eyes showed a flattening of the steepest simulated keratometry value (K-max) by an average of 0.74 diopters (D) (P = .004) at 3 months, 0.92 D (P = .002) at 6 months, and 1.45 D (P = .002) at 12 months. A trend toward improvement in best spectacle-corrected visual acuity was also observed. In the control eyes, mean K-max steepened by 0.60 D (P = .041) after 3 months, by 0.60 D (P = .013) after 6 months, and by 1.28 D (P < or = .0001) after 12 months. Best spectacle-corrected visual acuity decreased by logMAR 0.003 (P = .883) over 3 months, 0.056 (P = .092) over 6 months, and 0.12 (P = .036) over 12 months. No statistically significant changes were found for spherical equivalent or endothelial cell density. Preliminary results of this randomized controlled trial suggest a temporary stabilization of all treated eyes after CXL.

Statistical significance of magnetic fabric data in studies of paramagnetic granites

Abstract The low anisotropies of paramagnetic granites, due to magnetocrystalline anisotropy, require a statistical treatment of the anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) data when systematic fabric studies are performed. Absence of statistical information on these data makes evaluation of their quality difficult. The statistical significance of magnetic fabric in granites is evaluated in this paper. Jelinek’s elliptical confidence angles for the three principal susceptibility axes (E 13 , E 12 , E 23 ) of a specimen are used as markers of the quality of the AMS data. Comparing these markers at sample-, site- and massif-scale with the mean AMS axes that result from spherical statistical models helps clarify the reliability of the AMS data. This analysis is presented in detail for the plutons of Veiga and Trives (Spain). It is then applied to seven other massifs from the Pyrenees. We propose the following guides: (1) fabrics with E 13 between 10° and 20° tend to isotropy; the directional data and the shape parameter should be considered with great care; (2) lineation is not reliable when E 12 &gt; 25°, i.e. when K max is almost the same as K int ; (3) similarly, foliation is considered as not reliable when E 23 &gt; 25°, i.e. K min does not easily differentiate from K int . Errors attached to the mean K max and K min axes should always be produced, thus allowing further interpretation. In Trives and Veiga, ‘perfect’ triaxiality cannot be automatically assumed since foliation and lineation could be defined simultaneously in only 53% of the cases. Finally, a minimum of three cores (9 specimens) per site would considerably increase the proportion of reliable orientation data.

Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility of Hannuoba basalt, northern China: Constraints on the vent position of the lava sequences

Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) was determined for Hannuoba basaltic samples from 17 flows (21.4 ± 0.7Ma) distributed in three sections (Jianshaba, Yuershan and Manjing) around Zhangbei, northern China. The results show normal ‘flow’ fabrics with horizontal foliation planes. The typical ratios of the principal AMS axes are 1.01 for the magnetic lineation (L) and 1.02 for the foliation (F), respectively. Magnetic hysteresis loop, isothermal remanence, thermomagnetic properties, and optical observations indicate that pseudo‐single domain (PSD) low‐titanium magnetite particles dominate the low‐field susceptibility of samples. Thus the AMS of the magma at this area is believed to be originated from the lineation of the low‐Titanium magnetite particles driven by the lava flow. Since the Kmax trends coincide well with the observed flow directions, the intersection of the mean Kmax trends from these three sites perfectly defines the previously known vent position of the lava sequences.

High performance liquid chromatography and pharmacokinetics of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug oxindanac in calves.

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, oxindanac, in calf plasma is described. Recoveries over the concentration range 0.375 to 62.5 micrograms/ml were 90.2-107.8% with interassay coefficients of variation of 2.1-22.3%. The limit of detection was estimated as 0.10 micrograms/ml and the limit of quantification calculated to be 0.24 micrograms/ml in a 1 ml plasma sample. This method was used to establish the pharmacokinetics following intravenous (i.v.), intramuscular (i.m.) and oral (p.o.) administration to calves of oxindanac at a dose rate of 2 mg/kg. The elimination t1/2 was long (t1/2 21.2 h after i.v. injection) and absorption was rapid (t1/2a 0.072 h) and complete (F > 100%) following i.m. administration. Bioavailability was incomplete (F = 66.6%) following p.o. administration to calves that had been fed on milk, and Wagner-Nelson analysis revealed two absorption phases (t1/2's 0.20 and 1.9 h). Oxindanac produced long-lasting inhibition of serum TxB2 production, with mean Emax values (% inhibition) of 96.8, 94.1 and 81.3 following i.v., i.m. and p.o. administration, respectively. A single i.v. or i.m. injection of 2 mg/kg oxindanac will probably be active in calves for at least 36-48 h.