Variance For Measures Research Articles

A Clinical Review Of Aorto-Iliac And Peripheral Arterial Disease: Diagnostic Insights From Ct Angiography Findings

Objectives:to evaluate the potential of CT angiography in defining the severity of aorto-iliac and peripheral arterial disease and to quantify the percentage of correct findings in anticipating clinically relevant stenosis. Study Design: A Cross sectional study Place and Duration of the Study: General and vascular surgeon DHQ Hospital Batkhela and duration of the study was six months from jan 2024 to june 2024 Methodology: 50 patients suspected of having aorto-iliac and peripheral arterial diseases retrospectively. The results of diagnostic evaluation were compared against standard digital subtraction angiography as a gold standard. The degree of stenosis, the type of plaque and presence and grade of collaterals were measured in this study. To each variable, a test of significance was made using p-value; measure of variance was assessed using standard deviation (SD). Furthermore patients who underwent previous vascular interventional treatment were also excluded from the study. Results: Of 50 patients, 38 (76% of cases) were found to have clinically relevant stenosis (> 50%) by the use of CT angiography. There was a relative symmetry of the lesion:48 ‘Right’ (SD ±10); 49 ‘Left’. Collateral formation was confirmed in the present study in 22 patients (44%). CTA stenosis measurement yielded 90% sensitivity for diagnosis when compared with conventional angiography; p < 0.01. The sensitivity and specificity of CTA were 92% and 87% respectively. Conclusions: CT angiography procedures are quick and safe and provide accurate sensitivity and specificity results in differentiating aorto-iliac and peripheral arterial diseases. Because it can show arterial lesions, and collateral vessels, it can assist in treatment planning and may decrease the need for interventional actions. Keywords: Aorto-iliac PAOD, peripheral arterial disease, computer tomography angiography, stenosis

A multivariate finite horizon production control chart for monitoring the food production process

ABSTRACT Finite horizon production (FHP) processes are prevailing in the food industry. However, monitoring these multivariate FHP processes poses a significant challenge for statistical process control, primarily due to inadequate information about the distribution of multivariate observations. In this paper, a multivariate FHP (MFHP) control chart is proposed to monitor the food production processes with a limited number of reference samples, where the statistic of the proposed chart is derived from the distance from the monitored samples to support vectors of a support vector machine (SVM) classifier. The control limit of the statistic is designed from a conditional perspective, taking into account the variability generated across different reference samples. An enhanced cache-optimized sequential minimal optimization algorithm (ECSMOA) is proposed to speed up the computation of the control limit. Extensive numerical analysis indicates that the proposed chart is more effective and robust in preserving a desired in-control performance and guaranteeing an out-of-control performance. Particularly, the variance of performance measures was reduced by approximately 87.09 % . Finally, an industrial example based on whole wheat bread production processes is given to demonstrate the implementation of the proposed chart.

Integration of Halal Standards and Cultural Competence: A Comprehensive Analysis of Restaurant Business Management in Thailand's Multicultural Context

This study investigates the complex interplay between Halal certification compliance and multicultural service delivery in restaurant operations within Pattani Province, Thailand. Using a quantitative approach with a sample of 303 restaurant owners and staff, the research examines how religious adherence, cultural competence, and business practices influence operational success in a diverse cultural environment. The study employs structural equation modeling to analyze relationships between staff characteristics, management practices, and business outcomes. Findings reveal significant correlations between cultural integration and business success (β = 0.832, p < 0.001), with education level and management effectiveness showing strong positive relationships (β = 0.412, p < 0.001). The research demonstrates that successful integration of Halal standards with cultural sensitivity significantly enhances customer satisfaction and business growth, explaining 84.5% of variance in business success measures. These findings contribute to understanding how religious compliance and cultural competence can be effectively balanced in restaurant management, offering practical implications for industry practitioners and policymakers in multicultural contexts.

Effects of noise intensity on early warning indicators of thermoacoustic instability: An experimental investigation on a lean-premixed combustion system

In this work, we experimentally investigate the noise-induced dynamics of a lean premixed combustion system operating on natural gas–air mixtures that exhibit thermoacoustic instability via a subcritical Hopf bifurcation. The investigation is done before the bistable region with equivalence ratio (ϕ) as the control parameter. We analyze the acoustic pressure oscillations (p′) in the combustor and fluctuations in the heat release rate (q′) from the laminar quasi-flat flame at increasing levels of white noise. We show the effects of noise intensity on the reliability of various types of early warning indicators (EWIs) to predict the onset of the impending thermoacoustic oscillations. We investigate the indicators based on statistical measures (variance, skewness, and kurtosis), autocorrelation and spectral properties (coherence factor), system identification (growth/decay rates of p′), multi-fractality (Hurst exponent), and time series complexity (permutation entropy and Jensen–Shannon complexity). The coherence factor, variance, and decay rates of p′ always increases as the system approaches thermoacoustic instability, indicating their robustness as an EWI under most noise levels. An increase in kurtosis cannot be employed as an EWI. Implementing autocorrelation, skewness, Hurst exponent, permutation entropy and Jensen–Shannon complexity as effective EWIs has limitations: they can be estimated accurately only from pressure oscillations (p′) data and work only above a particular threshold value of noise intensity. Our results have direct implication on early prediction and control of thermoacoustic instability in practical gas turbine combustors.Novelty and significance statementDeveloping effective early warning indicators (EWIs) to anticipate the onset of thermoacoustic instability is crucial for preventing potential damage and ensuring the reliable operation of lean premixed gas turbine combustion systems. In such systems, inherent noise dynamics undergo variations with changing operating conditions and combustor designs. Specifically, noise intensity increases as the system becomes more turbulent. In this study, we demonstrate that the inherent noise dynamics in a lean premixed combustion system play a crucial role in influencing the trends observed in early warning indicators of thermoacoustic instability. We address several key questions, including (a) whether comparative reliability assessments of different classes of EWIs exist, (b) the effect of variations in noise properties on the efficacy of EWIs, and (c) which EWIs are most reliable considering that noise characteristics depend on the system and may even change with operating conditions within a specific system. This information is critical for engine designers/users, facilitating the development of robust and effective monitoring systems for gas turbine combustion systems.

The effects of structured coordinative exercise protocol on physical fitness, motor competence and inhibitory control in preschool children

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of a structured coordinative exercise intervention based on motor skill elements on physical fitness (PF), motor competence (MC) and inhibitory control (IC) in preschool children. A total of 41 kindergarten children (27 boys and 17 girls) aged between 5 and 6 years participated and were divided into exercise (EG; n = 18) and control (CG; n = 23) groups. The exercise group participated in a structured coordinative exercise programme focusing on locomotor and balance skills such as side-stepping, galloping, jumping and running for 30 min, 2 days a week for 8 weeks. The control group followed the normal curriculum. Children participated in measurements before and after 8 weeks, respectively; motor competence was assessed using the Körperkoordinationstest für Kinder (KTK3+) test battery, which includes eye-hand coordination and other coordinative skills. Physical fitness was measured by balance, agility and vertical jump tests. Inhibitory control was assessed using the Go/NoGo test in the Early Years Toolbox. As a result of the two-factor analysis of variance for mixed measures to determine whether being in the exercising group had a significant effect on the test scores, group by time interaction effect showed that the increase in the scores of the exercise group was significantly higher than that of the control group in the parameters of static balance, KTK sideways jump and KTK eye-hand coordination [respectively: F(1−39) = 6.993, p = 0.012; 6.443, p = 0.015; 8.180, p = 0.007). The results show that structured coordinative exercises improve PF and MC but have no significant effect on IC. This study targets the development of motor and cognitive skills considered to be important in preschool children and is one of the few studies to evaluate these parameters simultaneously. It also provides a comprehensive perspective on interventions aimed to positively affect health and development in early childhood.Trial Registration: NCT06631248. Registered on October 07, 2024.

Impact of intrathecal infusion port system on patients with advanced cancer pain and their caregivers

Objective The impact of the intrathecal infusion port system on patients with advanced cancer pain and the nursing workload on their primary caregivers was investigated in this study. Methods Between January 2018 and December 2021, a total of 26 patients with advanced cancer pain who received intrathecal infusion in our hospital, were enrolled in this study along with their primary caregivers. Assessments of patients’ pain levels, adverse reactions, and quality of life, as well as the nursing workload of primary caregivers were evaluated. Results The findings revealed a significant reduction in pain scores, decreasing from (7.42 ± 0.58) one week before treatment to (2.00 ± 0.56) one week after treatment, and maintaining a similar level at (2.07 ± 0.56) one month post-treatment, with a concomitant decrease in associated complications. Moreover, an improvement in overall quality of life was observed, as evident in the total physical health scores, which increased from (33.97 ± 7.14) one week prior to treatment to (47.44 ± 10.14) one week post-treatment and (48.56 ± 9.35) one month post-treatment. The total psychological health scores exhibited a positive trajectory, rising from (52.50 ± 23.55) one week before treatment to (65.00 ± 16.55) one week after treatment, ultimately reaching (69.42 ± 15.64) one month post-treatment. Furthermore, the primary caregivers’ nursing workload experienced a consistent decline, decreasing from (51.54 ± 7.30) one week before treatment to (46.54 ± 5.57) one week after treatment and further diminishing to (45.32 ± 6.41) one month after treatment. Repeated measures of variance showed that there were significant differences in pain, quality of life, and primary caregivers’ nursing workload at different time points ( P < 0.05). Conclusion The intrathecal infusion port system can effectively reduce the pain level of patients with advanced cancer pain, improve their quality of life, and reduce the nursing workload of their primary caregivers.

The dynamics from reactive aggression to proactive aggression among adolescents: A multilevel chain mediating model

Reactive aggression and proactive aggression have long been growing public concerns and are two phenomena associated with each other. The magnitude of reactive aggression at baseline can predict the likelihood of subsequent proactive aggression. Yet, the potential motivation mechanisms of the relationship between reactive and proactive aggression remain little understood, especially through experimental research. To address this research limitation, the experimental design employed competitive reaction time tasks and reward-interference tasks to manipulate reactive aggression and positive outcome expectancy in a sample of 125 adolescents (Mage = 16.06; SD = 0.67; 50 % girls). Using repeated measures variance analysis, we found that compared to those in the low reactive aggression group, participants with high reactive aggression later showed higher proactive aggression aimed at the same monetary rewards. Furthermore, participants in the high positive outcome expectancy group also displayed higher proactive aggression, compared to those in the low and medium groups. Thereby, through multilevel mediation analysis, we confirmed robust relationships between reactive and proactive aggression mediated by positive outcome expectancy and moral disengagement. This study suggests that intervention programs should target the reduction of positive outcome expectancy and moral disengagement.

Mapping of Spatial Variance of Family Policy that Could Increase Fertility: Indices for 23 OECD Countries across 21 Year Period

In a period of falling fertility rates and increasing number of various family policies (FPs) that are designed to address this trend, our study explores spatial and temporal variance of such FP measures which could be associated with increased fertility. They have been implemented in a range of countries, but their variance has not yet been systematically mapped. We employ a novel approach, examining gender and economic dimensions of FP measures to develop FP indices scoring 23 European OECD countries throughout the 2000–2021 period and uncover spatial similarities and discrepancies therein. Our findings indicate that degenderizing FP measures are increasingly being adopted across countries, with both genderizing and generous financial measures also enduring. Interestingly, despite an overall decline in fertility rates, FP has become more robust across countries according to the indices. We agree with recent studies that degenderizing FPs are most common in Nordic countries and least so in Central and Eastern Europe. We provide evidence that Hungary and Estonia are exceptions, with different types and more extensive FP. We also found that countries categorised in different contextual clusters sometimes score similarly strongly on genderizing FP (Czechia, Luxembourg, Spain) or weakly on financial FP measures (Slovakia, the UK, Greece). In countries where index scores increased only recently (e.g., Switzerland, Spain), we expect potential increases in fertility rates in the future.

The Study of Segregation and its Consequences in the Kabul City

This study investigates urban segregation in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, utilizing a multifaceted theoretical framework that integrates various explanatory models of segregation. The research targets the general population of Kabul, with a sample size of 233 individuals selected through a non-probabilistic cluster sampling technique. Data were collected using a comprehensive questionnaire focused on the Afghan context, incorporating insights from relevant studies. The analysis was conducted using SPSS software, employing both descriptive and inferential statistical methods. Demographic characteristics and participant responses in ethnically dominated areas were summarized using frequencies and percentages, while key variables were examined using measures of central tendency, dispersion, and distribution, including mean, standard deviation, variance, skewness, and kurtosis. The segregation tendencies of Kabul residents were analyzed using T-test, ANOVA and Spearman correlation. The results reveal a pronounced level of segregation within Kabul, with significant implications including the reinforcement of ethnocentric attitudes, the preservation of distinct subcultural identities, enhanced feelings of community security, and increased intra-group political and social engagement. The study found that followers of Shia Islam tend to segregate themselves from other religious groups, while the Pashtun ethnic group shows the lowest tendency toward segregation. Additionally, Kabul citizens tend to live among their own religious groups and the lower the level of education of individuals, the greater their tendency to separation.

Informing factors and outcomes of self-assessment practices in medical education: a systematic review

Background Self-assessment (SA) is increasingly recognized not only as an assessment method but also as a vital learning activity that enables learners to identify their strengths and limitations, fostering a crucial skill for lifelong learning. Despite its acknowledged significance, there remains a gap in understanding SA for and as learning, rather than merely of learning. This review, therefore, explores two primary questions: (1) What factors inform the implementation of medical students’ SA practices? (2) How does SA practices contribute to various educational outcomes? Methods A systematic review was conducted across five databases, employing a combination of keywords pertinent to SA and medical education. Our selection criteria deliberately excluded articles that solely focused on the accuracy of SA or used SA exclusively as a measure for other outcome variables. As a result, 39 studies met our inclusion criteria and were analyzed for this review. Qualitative narrative synthesis was used to summarize the informing factors. Furthermore, Kirkpatrick’s model was employed to categorize and summarize the effects of SA activities across various educational outcome levels, including reactions, learning, and behavioral changes. Results Our review reveals that key factors influencing students’ SA includes feedback from various stakeholders, peer assessment, the format of SA, and both learner and teacher training. Among the 39 studies examined, the majority demonstrated positive effects of SA on aspects such as attitudes and skills. However, a minority found no significant associations, with these outcomes frequently linked to contextual variables and how SA was implemented. Conclusions Our review does not focus on SA accuracy or its role as an assessment method; instead it delves into the role of SA as an integral learning practice. We explored its influencing factors and its impact across various outcomes. The findings indicate that for SA to effectively enhance student learning outcomes, it must be implemented with ample support, clear guidelines, and within contexts that encourage feedback and reflection.

An Inconvenient Truth: A Comprehensive Examination of the Added Value (or Lack Thereof) of Leadership Measures

AbstractThe leadership literature encompasses a bewildering array of leadership styles, with most studies focussing on the nature and consequences of a single leadership style in isolation. This isolationist approach has led researchers to mostly ignore the similarities between supposedly different leadership styles, and few studies have examined these overlaps empirically. To understand the extent of this problem, we use bifactor exploratory structural equation modelling to examine whether 12 dominant leadership measures capture shared variance and whether any variance unique to a particular style is related to theoretically and empirically established covariates. Moreover, we explore what the shared variance of these leadership measures may represent. Across seven samples, five countries, multiple organizational contexts, and 4000 respondents, the 12 leadership measures shared significant amounts of variance and did not systematically capture unique leadership‐related variance. Further analyses indicated this shared variance mainly represented the affective quality of the leader–follower relationship. The results reveal an inconvenient truth for leadership researchers who wish to differentiate styles, as the styles have much more in common than differences. Contrasting with previous recommendations to refine styles, we argue that a taxonomic leadership behaviour categories approach to leadership research is the most parsimonious way forward.

Enhancing Hyperspectral Anomaly Detection Algorithm Comparisons: Leveraging Dataset and Algorithm Characteristics

Validating the contributions of new algorithms is a critical step in hyperspectral anomaly detection (HAD) research. Typically, validation involves comparing the performance of a proposed algorithm against other algorithms using a series of benchmark datasets. Despite the longstanding use of this comparison process, little attention has been paid to the characteristics of datasets and algorithms that ensure each algorithm has an equal opportunity of performing well. Characteristics of datasets and algorithms that inadvertently favor one algorithm can skew results, leading to misleading conclusions. To address this issue, this study introduces a feature-centric framework designed to assist in ensuring an unbiased comparison of HAD algorithms. The framework identifies significant correlations between datasets and algorithms by extracting distribution-related features from the datasets and statistically testing them against the algorithmic outcomes. The identified trends are then compared across datasets to ensure that all relevant trends are equally represented, thereby ensuring diversity and validating that no singular algorithm is afforded an inherent advantage. The framework was tested on five algorithms across 14 datasets. The results indicate that multiple measures of variance within the datasets are key drivers of diversity, and these measures accurately predicted algorithmic outcomes for 12 of the 14 datasets. This suggests that the identified trends effectively explain the algorithmic outcomes and highlights the importance of incorporating datasets with a diverse range of variances in comparisons of HAD algorithms.

Efficacy of racemic ketamine or esketamine monotherapy for reducing suicidal ideation in uni- or bipolar depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The current systematic review and meta-analysis examined the effect of racemic ketamine or esketamine on suicidal ideation in individuals with uni- or bipolar depression. We searched the MEDLINE, Embase, Central, PsycINFO, and Web of Science databases to identify randomized controlled trials that examined the effect of racemic ketamine or esketamine monotherapy on suicidal ideation (SI) in individuals with uni- or bipolar depression. The two monotherapies were compared; the primary outcome was the rate of remission of SI, and the secondary outcome was the SI score. The risk ratio was used as an effect size measure for binary variables, while the standardized mean difference was used as an effect size measure for continuous variables. Our meta-analysis included 13 randomized controlled trials involving 1,1109 individuals with uni- or bipolar depression. Patients receiving racemic ketamine monotherapy had a significantly higher acute SI remission rate than those receiving placebo or midazolam (RR = 2.06, 95% CI 1.47 to 2.91, P < 0.0001). Racemic ketamine also led to significantly lower SI scores than placebo or midazolam (SMD = -0.36, 95% CI -0.71 to -0.01, P = 0.04). The evidence for the treatment of SI with esketamine was inconsistent. The pooled effect sizes for long-term anti-SI effects did not reveal significant differences between therapies. Our study indicated the efficacy of racemic ketamine monotherapy for rapidly and transiently reducing SI in individuals with uni- or bipolar depression, but the efficacy of racemic ketamine monotherapy against long-term suicidal ideation remains unclear. There is not -sufficient evidence to support the anti-suicidal effects of esketamine monotherapy.Protocol registration: Prospero registration number: CRD42023434380.

Analysing the effects of feeding black soldier fly on broiler growth performance: a meta-analysis

Context The black soldier fly has been found to be a rich protein source, containing high amounts of protein and lipids, making them a valuable and sustainable alternative to conventional protein sources, such as fish and soybean meals, for broilers, which has also been demonstrated by multiple studies. Aims A meta-analysis was conducted using peer-reviewed published research on the use of black soldier flies in poultry diets to test the hypothesis that it enhances growth performance as a sustainable alternative to plant-based protein sources. Methods To this end, we used publicly available databases (Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, Embase) to identify peer-reviewed papers. Retrieved articles were screened for relevance and quality using established criteria. The studies were largely rejected due to non-reporting of variance measures or reporting pooled measures of variance that could not be used. As a result, eight studies were used to extract data for growth performance, including body weight gain. Key results The meta-analysis showed that the effect of feeding black soldier fly meals on body weight gain was non-significant. However, the subgroup analysis showed that utilisation of the frozen form of the black soldier fly lowers body weight gain compared with the birds fed basal diets. Furthermore, the feed intake was significantly (P &lt; 0.05) reduced when the broilers were fed with diets containing black soldier fly meals. The feed conversion ratio showed non-significant (P &gt; 0.05) differences with the supplementation. Conclusions The inclusion level of black soldier fly larvae meal in any form was seen to be safe up to 10%, and the effective duration of the supplementation was ≤35 days. Implications The utilisation of black soldier fly as a sustainable protein source should be encouraged to facilitate farmers in terms of being less dependent on soybean meal, as well as to reduce the competition between humans and animals for plant protein sources.

Metrics of Astrometric Variability in the International Celestial Reference Frame. I. Statistical Analysis and Selection of the Most Variable Sources

Using very long baseline interferometry data for the sources that comprise the third International Celestial Reference Frame (ICRF3), we examine the quality of the formal source-position uncertainties of ICRF3 by determining the excess astrometric variability (unexplained variance) for each source as a function of time. We also quantify multiple qualitatively distinct aspects of astrometric variability seen in the data, using a variety of metrics. Average position offsets, statistical dispersion measures, and coherent trends over time as explored by smoothing the data are combined to characterize the most and least positionally stable ICRF3 sources. We find a notable dependence of the excess variance and statistical variability measures on decl., as is expected for unmodeled ionospheric delay errors and the Northern Hemisphere–dominated network geometries of most astrometric and geodetic observing campaigns.

Choosing of Telecommunications Equipment Suppliers Based on the Choquet Integral and Fuzzy Measure Variance Minimization

Telecommunications equipment suppliers play an important role in the functioning of corporations with large-scale distributed computer networks such as system integrators, Internet service providers and others. An important condition of sustainable development for these companies is effective and reasonable decision making concerning the choice of suppliers. At the same time, the amount of information to be considered in many industries for making decisions has grown several times. In accordance with the above, decision making support systems for the reliable choice of suppliers started to be developed. At the same time, the approaches to designing such systems possess some disadvantages. In order to overcome these disadvantages this article suggests an approach to decision making support for choosing telecommunication equipment suppliers based on the Choquet Integral and minimization of fuzzy measure variance. It deals with the task of criteria normalization, fuzzy measure identification, gives examples of expert estimations for criteria and also the results of supplier assessments based on which the decision is made.

Study of body measurements and components of variance for various body measurements of goats found in Southern Punjab

Variance components are estimated to further compute genetic parameters, and these components reflect variation of traits as well as their transferability to the next generation. This study was conducted to estimate variance components for different body measurements in Teddy goats in the southern Punjab. Data were subjected to mixed model analysis using ASReml software where restricted maximum likely hood procedure was adopted. These body measurements included diagonal body length, withers height, head length, neck length, ear length, ear width, tail length, distance between ears, and canon circumference. Body measurements were recorded using tailor tape and live weight will be measured by spring balance. The following form of animal model was applied; Yijklm= YOBi+ SOBj + Sexk + TOBl + A +Ԑijklm.. The estimates for variance components were used to compute genetic parameters.

Variance partitioning of nest provisioning rates in blue tits: individual repeatability, heritability, and partner interactions.

In many animal species, including most birds, parental care is performed by both parents, which has important implications for mate choice (good parent hypothesis) and parental investment strategies. Partitioning the variance in measures of parental care into heritable and nonheritable components is important to understand the evolvability of parental investment and its potential role in mate choice. We employed an automated system to monitor provisioning behavior at 817 blue tit nests over 10 years (totaling ~3 million visits). Daily provisioning rates of males and females were moderately repeatable between years (Radj = 0.16 and 0.15, respectively), which was almost entirely explained by additive genetic effects. While this degree of heritability is sufficient for parental investment to respond to selection, we argue that the modest level of repeatability provides limited potential for a "provisioning phenotype" to be used as a criterion in mate choice. Daily visit rates were positively correlated between pair members, but after accounting for shared environmental factors, this relationship became clearly negative, thereby providing support for models of partial compensation. Visit rates also differed substantially between years, and between days within a year. Thus, it is important to account for these variables when comparing the parental investment between individuals. Our results highlight the interplay between genetic, social, and environmental influences on provisioning behavior.

311 Effect of feeding butyric acid on growth performance and metabolic indicators of dairy calves before weaning: A meta-analysis

Abstract This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effect of feeding butyric acid (BA) on growth performance and metabolic indicators in dairy calves. A literature search was conducted to identify in vivo research studies carried out on BA supplementation in dairy calves. Inclusion criteria were in vivo studies, dairy calves, weaning, BA, and inclusion doses of BA. Twenty-three papers with 80 data and 1,132 calves were selected. Data extracted included the number of calves in control and treatment groups and measures of variance of responses (standard error or standard deviation). The response variables were production performance including body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG) feed efficiency (FE), and metabolic indicators including blood glucose and beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) concentrations. A random effect of model was used to examine the raw mean difference and standardized mean difference between BA supplementation and the control group. The analysis was conducted using the metafor package of Rstudio. Butyric acid moderately improved the growth performance and metabolic indicators responses of calves with substantial heterogeneity (59 &amp;lt; I2 &amp;lt; 73%, P &amp;lt; 0.01). Final BW and ADG were increased by 2.7 kg and 48.1 g/day, or &amp;gt; 0.6 and &amp;gt; 0.4 standard deviation units (P &amp;lt; 0.05), respectively. However, FE was increased by BA supplementation but not significantly different. For metabolic indicators, glucose concentration was greater with BA supplementation with &amp;gt; 0.4 standard deviation unit, (P &amp;lt; 0.05). However, BA supplementation did not affect the blood concentration of BHB (P &amp;gt; 0.05). In conclusion, the meta-analysis results demonstrated that BA constitutes an important energy source for dairy calves. Butyric acid is effective in promoting growth performance and intestinal health and, yet, increasing production profits.

Clinical effect of XEN gel stent implantation or combined with phacoemusification and intraocular lens implantation on glaucoma

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of internal XEN gel stent implantation or combined with phacoemusification and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in the treatment of glaucoma. Methods: It was a retrospective case series study. Forty-five patients (28 males and 17 females; 52 eyes) who had different types of glaucoma treated at the Shenzhen Eye Hospital from December 2021 to June 2023 were included. XEN gel stent implantation (the XEN group) or XEN implantation combined with phacoemusification and IOL implantation (the combined group) were performed in these patients. The postoperative follow-up was 18 months. The observational indexes included the best corrected visual acuity (recorded as the logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution), intraocular pressure (IOP), XEN implantation quadrant, number of IOP-lowering medications, corneal endothelial cell count, operation success rate and surgical complications. The one-way repeated measures of variance, LSD-t test, and rank sum test were used for statistical analysis. Results: There were 28 patients (33 eyes) in the XEN group and 17 patients (19 eyes) in the combined group. The postoperative best corrected visual acuity had no significant change in the XEN group, but improved significantly (0.21±0.30 at 6 months; P<0.05) in the combined group, compared with the preoperative value. The IOP of the two groups at 18 months after surgery [(12.2±3.1) and (11.9±3.9) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa)] was significantly lower than that before surgery [(22.1±8.5) and (19.4±10.2) mmHg; P<0.05]. The average number of IOP-lowering medications in all patients was 3 (2, 3) before surgery and 0 (0, 0) at 18 months after surgery. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). In the XEN group, the corneal endothelial cell count was (2 387.37±478.22) cells/mm² preoperatively and (2 193.89±311.96) cells/mm² at 12 months. The decrease showed no statistical significance. The XEN gel stent was implanted in the supranasal quadrant in 8 eyes (15.4%), in the inferonasal quadrant in 36 eyes (69.2%), and in the infratemporal quadrant in 8 eyes (15.4%). The operation success rate [complete success rate, 86.5% (45/52); conditional success rate, 9.6% (5/52)] was 96.2% (50/52). The filtering bleb scarring occurred in 9.6% (5/52) of eyes. A small amount of hyphema, postoperative shallow anterior chamber, transient hypertension, and intraoperative drain breakage were found in 7.7% (4/52) of eyes, respectively. A small amount of subconjunctival bleeding was observed in 5.8%(3/52) of eyes. Re-implantation of an XEN gel stent was performed in 5.8% (3/52) of eyes. The intraoperative conjunctival tissue rupture, hypotony macular edema, and drain exposure were observed in 1.9% (1/52) of eyes, respectively. Conclusion: The XEN gel stent implantation or combined with phacoemusification and IOL implantation was effective and safe in treating different types of glaucoma, but its long-term clinical efficacy needs further follow-up observations in multi-center, larger-scale research.