Increased retinal venule diameter as a prognostic indicator for recurrent cerebrovascular events:a prospective observational study

Microvasculature of the retina is considered an alternative marker of cerebral vascular risk in healthy populations.However,the ability of retinal vasculature changes,specifically focusing on retinal vessel diameter,to predict the recurrence of cerebrovascular events in patients with ischemic stroke has not been determined comprehensively.While previous studies have shown a link between retinal vessel diameter and recurrent cerebrovascular events,they have not incorporated this information into a predictive model.Therefore,this study aimed to investigate the relationship between retinal vessel diameter and subsequent cerebrovascular events in patients with acute ischemic stroke.Additionally,we sought to establish a predictive model by combining retinal veessel diameter with traditional risk factors.We performed a prospective observational study of 141 patients with acute ischemic stroke who were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University.All of these patients underwent digital retinal imaging within 72 hours of admission and were followed up for 3 years.We found that,after adjusting for related risk factors,patients with acute ischemic stroke with mean arteriolar diameter within 0.5-1.0 disc diameters of the disc margin(MAD_(0.5-1.0DD))of≥74.14μm and mean venular diameter within 0.5-1.0 disc diameters of the disc margin(MVD_(0.5-1.0DD))of≥83.91μm tended to experience recurrent cerebrovascular events.We established three multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression models:model 1 included traditional risk factors,model 2 added MAD_(0.5-1.0DD)to model 1,and model 3 added MVD0.5-1.0DD to model 1.Model 3 had the greatest potential to predict subsequent cerebrovascular events,followed by model 2,and finally model 1.These findings indicate that combining retinal venular or arteriolar diameter with traditional risk factors could improve the prediction of recurrent cerebrovascular events in patients with acute ischemic stroke,and that retinal imaging could be a useful and non-invasive method for identifying high-risk patients who require closer monitoring and more aggressive management.

One-year results for myopia control of orthokeratology with different back optic zone diameters: a randomized trial using a novel multispectral-based topographer

AIM:To present the 1-year results of a prospective cohort study investigating the efficacy,potential mechanism,and safety of orthokeratology(ortho-k)with different back optic zone diameters(BOZD)for myopia control in children.METHODS:This randomized clinical study was performed between Dec.2020 and Dec.2021.Participants were randomly assigned to three groups wearing ortho-k:5 mm BOZD(5-MM group),5.5 mm BOZD(5.5-MM group),and 6 mm BOZD(6-MM group).The 1-year data were recorded,including axial length,relative peripheral refraction(RPR,measured by multispectral refractive topography,MRT),and visual quality.The contrast sensitivity(CS)was evaluated by CSV-1000 instrument with spatial frequencies of 3,6,12,and 18 cycles/degree(c/d);the corneal higher-order aberrations(HOAs)were measured by iTrace aberration analyzer.The one-way ANOVA was performed to assess the differences between the three groups.The correlation between the change in AL and RPR was calculated by Pearson’s correlation coefficient.RESULTS:The 1-year results of 20,21,and 21 subjects in the 5-MM,5.5-MM,and 6-MM groups,respectively,were presented.There were no statistical differences in baseline age,sex,or ocular parameters between the three groups(all P>0.05).At the 1-year visit,the 5-MM group had lower axial elongation than the 6-MM group(0.07±0.09 vs 0.18±0.11 mm,P=0.001).The 5-MM group had more myopic total RPR(TRPR,P=0.014),with RPR in the 15°–30°(RPR 15–30,P=0.015),30°–45°(RPR 30–45,P=0.011),temporal(RPR-T,P=0.008),and nasal area(RPR-N,P<0.001)than the 6-MM group.RPR 15–30 in the 5.5-MM group was more myopic than that in the 6-MM group(P=0.002),and RPR-N in the 5-MM group was more myopic than that in the 5.5-MM group(P<0.001).There were positive correlations between the axial elongation and the change in TRPR(r=0.756,P<0.001),RPR 15–30(r=0.364,P=0.004),RPR 30–45(r=0.306,P=0.016),and RPR-N(r=0.253,P=0.047).The CS decreased at 3 c/d(P<0.001),and the corneal HOAs increased in the 5-MM group(P=0.030).CONCLUSION:Ortho-k with 5 mm BOZD can control myopia progression more effectively.The mechanism may be associated with greater myopic shifts in RPR.

On Spanning Wide Diameter of Graphs

A t-container Ct(u,v)is a set of t internally disjoint paths between two distinct vertices u and v in a graph G,i.e.,Ct(u,v)={P_(1),P_(2),···,Pt}.Moreover,if V(P_(1))∪V(P_(2))∪···∪V(Pt)=V(G)then Ct(u,v)is called a spanning t-container,denoted by C_(t)^(sc)(u,v).The length of C_(t)^(sc)(u,v)={P_(1),P_(2),···,Pt}is l(C_(t)^(sc)(u,v))=max{l(P_(i))|1≤i≤t}.A graph G is spanning t-connected if there exists a spanning t-container between any two distinct vertices u and v in G.Assume that u and v are two distinct vertices in a spanning t-connected graph G.Let D_(t)^(sc)(u,v)be the collection of all C_(t)^(sc)(u,v)’s.Define the spanning t-wide distance between u and v in G,d_(t)^(sc)(u,v)=min{l(C_(t)^(sc)(u,v))|C_(t)^(sc)(u,v)∈D_(t)^(sc)(u,v)},and the spanning t-wide diameter of G,D_(t)^(sc)(G)=max{d_(t)^(sc)(u,v)|u,v∈V(G)}.In particular,the spanning wide diameter of G is D_(κ)^(sc)(G),whereκis the connectivity of G.In the paper we provide the upper and lower bounds of the spanning wide diameter of a graph,and show that the bounds are best possible.We also determine the exact values of wide diameters of some well known graphs including Harary graphs and generalized Petersen graphs et al..

Stable reverse J-shaped diameter distribution occurs in an old-growth karst forest

The reverse J-shaped diameter distribution is considered an inherent attribute of natural forests,cru-cial for forest resource utilization and community stabil-ity.However,in karst regions,intense habitat heterogene-ity might alter species composition,spatial distribution,growth,biomass allocation,and mortality processes,yet its impact on diameter structure remains unclear.A fixed plot of 200 m×110 m was established in the Nanpan River Basin,Southwest China,within an old-growth oak forest(>300 years old),and the influence of site substrates(i.e.,rock and soil),topographic factors,sample area,and ori-entation on diameter distribution was analyzed.Trees on both rock and soil exhibited a reverse-J shape,quantifiable Project funding:This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32060340 and 31400542),the Scientific Research Capacity Building Project for Laibin Jinxiu Dayaoshan Forest Ecosystem Observation and Research Station of Guangxi(22-035-130-01).through the Weibull function.The substrates had a similar density,approximately 2100 plants/ha.However,the aver-age and range of diameter of trees on rock were smaller than those on soil,suggesting that rock constrains tree growth.The diameter distribution of trees across microtopography also displayed a reverse-J shape.Yet,higher elevations and sunny slopes showed a greater curvature of diameter classes compared to lower elevations and shady slopes,indicating habitat preferences in karst trees.Sample area and orienta-tion had minimal effects on diameter class curve that reached stability when the plot size was 6000 m2.These results sug-gest that the reverse J-shaped diameter distribution prevails at small scales in karst old-growth forests,encompassing multiple curvatures and spanning forest ecosystems.

Effect of a cervical collar on optic nerve sheath diameter in trauma patients

BACKGROUND:As advocated in advanced trauma life support and prehospital trauma life support protocols,cervical immobilization is applied until cervical spine injury is excluded.This study aimed to show the difference in optic nerve sheath diameter(ONSD)between patients with and without a cervical collar using computed tomography(CT).METHODS:This was a single-center,retrospective study examining trauma patients who presented to the emergency department between January 1,2021,and December 31,2021.The ONSD on brain CT of the trauma patients was measured and analyzed to determine whether there was a difference between the ONSD with and without the cervical collar.RESULTS:The study population consisted of 169 patients.On CT imaging of patients with(n=66)and without(n=103)cervical collars,the mean ONSD in the axial plane were 5.43±0.50 mm and 5.04±0.46 mm respectively for the right eye and 5.50±0.52 mm and 5.11±0.46 mm respectively for the left eye.The results revealed an association between the presence of a cervical collar and the mean ONSD,which was statistically significant(P<0.001)for both the right and left eyes.CONCLUSION:A cervical collar may be associated with increased ONSD.The effect of this increase in the ONSD on clinical outcomes needs to be investigated,and the actual need for cervical collar in the emergency department should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Added value of ratio of cross diameters of the appendix in ultrasound diagnosis of acute appendicitis

BACKGROUND The maximum outer diameter(MOD)of the appendix is an essential parameter for diagnosing acute appendicitis,but there is space for improvement in ultrasound(US)diagnostic performance.AIM To investigate whether combining the ratio of the cross diameters(RATIO)of the appendix with MOD of the appendix can enhance the diagnostic performance of acute appendicitis.METHODS A retrospective study was conducted,and medical records of 233 patients with acute appendicitis and 112 patients with a normal appendix were reviewed.The MOD and RATIO of the appendix were calculated and tested for their diagnostic performance of acute appendicitis,both individually and in combination.RESULTS The RATIO for a normal appendix was 1.32±0.16,while for acute appendicitis it was 1.09±0.07.The cut-off value for RATIO was determined to be≤1.18.The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC)for diagnosing acute appendicitis using RATIO≤1.18 and MOD>6 mm was 0.870 and 0.652,respectively.There was a significant difference in AUC between RATIO≤1.18 and MOD>6 mm(P<0.0001).When comparing the combination of RATIO≤1.18 and MOD>6 mm with MOD>6 mm alone,the combination showed increased specificity,positive predictive value(PPV),and AUC.However,the sensitivity and negative predictive value decreased.CONCLUSION Combining RATIO of the appendix≤1.18 and MOD>6 mm can significantly improve the specificity,PPV,and AUC in the US diagnosis of acute appendicitis.

Fuzzy Control Optimization of Loading Paths for Hydroforming of Variable Diameter Tubes

The design of the loading path is one of the important research contents of the tube hydroforming process.Optimization of loading paths using optimization algorithms has received attention due to the inefficiency of only finite element optimization.In this paper,the hydroforming process of 5A02 aluminum alloy variable diameter tube was as the research object.Fuzzy control was used to optimize the loading path,and the fuzzy rule base was established based on FEM.The minimum wall thickness and wall thickness reduction rate were determined as input membership functions,and the axial feeds variable value of the next step was used as output membership functions.The results show that the optimized loading path greatly improves the uniformity of wall thickness and the forming effect compared with the linear loading path.The round corner lamination rate of the tube is 91.2%under the fuzzy control optimized loading path,which was increased by 47.1%and 22.6%compared with linear loading Path 1 and Path 2,respectively.Based on the optimized loading path in the experiment,the minimum wall thickness of the variable diameter tube was 1.32 mm and the maximum thinning rate was 12.4%.The experimental results were consistent with the simulation results,which verified the accuracy of fuzzy control.The research results provide a reference for improving the forming quality of thin-walled tubes and plates.

Simulation of Haloxylon Ammodendron Stand Basic Diameter Structure Based on Fuzzy Distribution Function

Based on the investigation data of 12 Haloxylon ammodendron plots in the south edge of Gurbantunggut Desert, Fuzzy distribution was introduced into the study of Haloxylon ammodendron base diameter structure fitting according to the consistency between the characteristics of Fuzzy distribution function and the distribution series of cumulative percentage of stand base diameter, and the fitting precision and effect of Fuzzy distribution function were discussed. The root mean square error RMSE and determination coefficient R2 values showed that Fuzzy-Γ1, Fuzzy-Γ2, Fuzzy-Γ3, Fuzzy-Γ4 had good fitting performance, among which Fuzzy-Γ1 had relatively high fitting precision, and its parameters were closely related to stand age and density, Fuzzy-Γ2 distribution function was the second, and Fuzzy-Γ4 distribution function had the worst fitting effect. By introducing a parameter c from the similarity of four distribution function formulas, a generalized Fuzzy distribution function Fuzzy-Γ5 is obtained. This function shows the highest fitting accuracy. Most of the values of parameter c are near 1 or 2, which shows that the diameter distribution is mainly approximate to Fuzzy-Γ1 and Fuzzy-Γ2.

An evaluation of ureteral diameter ratio and vesicoureteral reflux index in the treatment of primary vesicoureteral reflux

Objective:Vesicoureteral reflux(VUR)index is a simple,validated tool that reliably predicts significant improvement and spontaneous resolution of primary reflux in children.The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the ureter diameter ratio(UDR)and VUR index(VURx)of patients treated with endoscopic injection(EI)and ureteroneocystostomy(UNC)methods in the pediatric age group due to primary VUR.Methods:Patients under the age of 18 years old who underwent EI and UNC with the diagnosis of primary VUR between January 2011 and September 2021 were determined as the participants.The UDR was assessed using voiding cystourethrography,and the VURx score was determined prior to treatment based on hospital records included in the study.Results:A total of 255 patients,60(23.5%)boys and 195(76.5%)girls,with a mean age of 76.5(range 13.0e204.0)months,were included in the study.EI was applied to 130(51.0%)patients and UNC was applied to 125(49.0%)patients due to primary VUR.The optimum cut-off for the distal UDR was obtained as 0.17 with sensitivity and specificity of 73.0%and 63.0%,respectively.The positive and negative predictive values were 66.0%and 70.0%,respectively.Conclusion:When the UDR and VURx score are evaluated together for the surgical treatment of primary VUR in the pediatric age group,it is thought that it may be useful in predicting the clinical course of the disease and evaluating surgical treatment options.

Platelet counts to spleen diameter ratio:A promising noninvasive tool for predicting esophageal varices in cirrhosis patients

BACKGROUND Liver cirrhosis is the end stage of progressive liver fibrosis as a consequence of chronic liver inflammation,wherein the standard hepatic architecture is replaced by regenerative hepatic nodules,which eventually lead to liver failure.Cirrhosis without any symptoms is referred to as compensated cirrhosis.Complications such as ascites,variceal bleeding,and hepatic encephalopathy indicate the onset of decompensated cirrhosis.Gastroesophageal varices are the hallmark of clini-cally significant portal hypertension.AIM To determine the accuracy of the platelet count-to-spleen diameter(PC/SD)ratio to evaluate esophageal varices(EV)in patients with cirrhosis.METHODS This retrospective observational study was conducted at Tikur Anbessa Specia-lized Hospital and Adera Medical Center from January 1,2019,to December 30,2023.Data were collected via chart review and direct patient interviews using structured questionnaires.The data were exported to the SPSS software version 26 for analysis and clearance.A receiver operating characteristic curve was plotted for splenic diameter,platelet count,and PC/SD ratio to obtain sensitivity,speci-ficity,positive predictive value,negative predictive value,positive likelihood ratio,and negative likelihood ratio.RESULTS Of the 140 participants,67%were men.Hepatitis B(38%)was the most common cause of cirrhosis,followed by cryptogenic cirrhosis(28%)and hepatitis C(16%).Approximately 83.6%of the participants had endoscopic evidence of EV,whereas 51.1%had gastric varices.Decompensated cirrhosis and PC were associated with the presence of EV with adjusted odds ratios of 12.63(95%CI:3.16-67.58,P=0.001)and 0.14(95%CI:0.037-0.52,P=0.004),respectively.A PC/SD ratio<1119 had a sensitivity of 86.32%and specificity of 70%with area under the curve of 0.835(95%CI:0.736-0.934,P<0.001).CONCLUSION A PC/SD ratio<1119 predicts EV in patients with cirrhosis.It is a valuable,noninvasive tool for EV risk assess-ment in resource-limited settings.

Study of the Characteristics of Large-Diameter Iron Bars Obtained by Rolling at the ODHAV Foundry in the Republic of Guinea

This work consists of evaluating the quality of the mechanical parameters of large-diameter steels, i.e. 20, 25, 28 and 32, through a process of recycling scrap metal that fills garages, rubbish dumps, gutters and other abandoned sites, as well as imported concrete reinforcing steel sold in the Republic of Guinea. To carry out this important work, a number of mechanical tensile and bending tests and a microscopic analysis combining two devices, an electron microscope and a photographic camera, were carried out. The samples were taken from sampling areas in the major communes of Conakry, namely: Casse Sonfonia, Matoto and Kagbélen. The tensile strength values of the large dimensions 20, 25, 28 and 32 are given in the tables.

Optic nerve sheath diameters in nontraumatic brain injury:A scoping review and role in the intensive care unit

BACKGROUND Neuromonitoring in medical intensive care units is challenging as most patients are unfit for invasive intracranial pressure(ICP)modalities or unstable to transport for imaging.Ultrasonography-based optic nerve sheath diameter(ONSD)is an attractive option as it is reliable,repeatable and easily performed at the bedside.It has been sufficiently validated in traumatic brain injury(TBI)to be incorporated into the guidelines.However,currently the data for non-TBI patients is inconsistent for a scientific recommendation to be made.AIM To compile the existing evidence for understanding the scope of ONSD in measuring ICP in adult non-traumatic neuro-critical patients.METHODS PubMed,Google Scholar and research citation analysis databases were searched for studies in adult patients with non-traumatic causes of raised ICP.Studies from 2010 to 2024 in English languages were included.RESULTS We found 37 articles relevant to our search.The cutoff for ONSD in predicting ICP varied from 4.1 to 6.3 mm.Most of the articles used cerebrospinal fluid opening pressure followed by raised ICP on computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging as the comparator parameter.ONSD was also found to be a reliable outcome measure in cases of acute ischaemic stroke,intracerebral bleeding and intracranial infection.However,ONSD is of doubtful utility in septic metabolic encephalopathy,dysnatremias and aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage.CONCLUSION ONSD is a useful tool for the diagnosis of raised ICP in non-traumatic neuro-critically ill patients and may also have a role in the prognostication of a subset of patients.

Sub-stand diameter distribution types vary along an old-growth Douglas-fir chronosequence into the horizontal diversification development stage

Managing mature Douglas-fir[Pseudotsuga menziesii(Mirb.)Franco]stands to emulate the structural complexity of natural old-growth forest requires identifying structural targets at the sub-stand level at which neighborhood dynamics and patchy disturbance shape structure.We therefore sought to describe the archetypal shapes of predominant sub-stand diameter distribution types(DDTs)observed in natural tree neighborhoods in stands comprising a chronosequence(ca.120-450+yrs)encompassing mature,vertical diversification,and horizontal diversification development stages.The ten 1.0 ha stands are located in the southcentral Oregon Cascades,USA.Building on the known spatial position of each tree,natural tree neighborhoods were identified using the floating neighborhood approach based on spatial tessellation connecting neighboring trees at the first-(mean 61 m2)through fifth-(mean 2058 m2)order scales.Cluster analysis was then used to objectively identify the most predominant DDTs among the relative tree size distributions observed in the trans-scale neighborhoods within each stand.Repeated measures regression was used to classify each DDT to one of six observed archetypal shapes:negative exponential,unimodal,rotated sigmoid,bimodal,concave,or multi-modal.Only three of the 81 observed DDTs deviated by<10%from the stand average,while every stand had at least one DDT that deviated by>50%(maximum 83%).Within each stand,five to ten predominant DDTs were observed,which deviated from the stand average by 30-48%and were characterized by two to five different archetypal shapes.Consequently,in some stands the majority of tree neighborhoods were best characterized by a different shape from that assigned at the stand level.Deviation from the stand average increased from the youngest stand in the mature development stage through the middle stands in the vertical diversification stage to the oldest stands in the horizontal diversification stage.The complexity of DDT shapes tended to increase along the chronosequence(from negative exponential and uniform toward concave and multi-modal),with shape richness highest mid-sequence and evenness peaking in the oldest stands.The high diversity of sub-stand structural complexity reduces the utility of standlevel diameter distributions as old-growth restoration targets.However,the presence in early-sequence stands of sub-stand diameter distributions common to later-sequence stands may facilitate active management at the neighborhood level to promote future old-growth condition.Restoration of substand diameter structures would likely require combining spatial perspectives,such as by augmenting tree-level croptree management with diameter distribution targets for the resulting tree neighborhoods.

Alternative expressions for stand diameter in complex forests

Quadratic mean diameter is the most frequently reported descriptor of the diameter distribution of forests.As such,it is often used as an indicator of forest stand structure,developmental stage,and ecological and economic potential.However,quadratic mean diameter can be heavily influenced by the presence or absence of large numbers of small stems in lower canopy strata,and it is also sensitive to left-truncation of the diameter distribution,making its interpretation across inventories with different protocols challenging.Here,we examine three alternative expressions of stand diameter:the arithmetic and quadratic mean diameter of the thickest 100 trees per hectare,and the basal area-weighted mean diameter.Using data from the United States Forest Inventory and Analysis program for New York and New England,these alternative expressions showed closer correlation with multiple stand structural variables than did quadratic mean diameter,including merchantable cubic and board foot volume per hectare,aboveground live tree carbon per hectare,and total number of live and dead standing trees greater than 40 cm diameter at breast height per hectare(previously proposed as an index of old-growth structure).Arithmetic and quadratic mean diameter of the thickest 100 trees per hectare showed nearly identical performance,and the strongest correlations across the board.We develop closed-form expressions for these variables when the diameter distribution is a Weibull,and illustrate their behavior relative to quadratic mean diameter for that situation.While the reasons for prevalence of quadratic mean diameter as an indicator remain valid,we suggest that these alternative measures should be more widely reported and analyzed to give a more informative depiction of stand structure and development in complex forests.

Bedside ultrasonography of optic nerve sheath diameter for detection of raised intracranial pressure in nontraumatic neurocritically ill patients

BACKGROUND Delay in treatment of raised intracranial pressure(ICP)leads to poor clinical outcomes.Optic nerve sheath diameter(ONSD)by ultrasonography(US-ONSD)has shown good accuracy in traumatic brain injury and neurosurgical patients to diagnose raised ICP.However,there is a dearth of data in neuro-medical intensive care unit(ICU)where the spectrum of disease is different.AIM To validate the diagnostic accuracy of ONSD in non-traumatic neuro-critically ill patients.METHODS We prospectively enrolled 114 patients who had clinically suspected raised ICP due to non-traumatic causes admitted in neuro-medical ICU.US-ONSD was performed according to ALARA principles.A cut-off more than 5.7 mm was taken as significantly raised.Raised ONSD was corelated with raised ICP on radiological imaging.Clinical history,general and systemic examination findings,SOFA and APACHE 2 score and patient outcomes were recorded.RESULTS There was significant association between raised ONSD and raised ICP on imaging(P<0.001).The sensitivity,specificity,positive and negative predictive value at this cut-off was 77.55%,89.06%,84.44% and 83.82% respectively.The positive and negative likelihood ratio was 7.09 and 0.25.The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves was 0.844.Using Youden’s index the best cut off value for ONSD was 5.75 mm.Raised ONSD was associated with lower age(P=0.007),poorer Glasgow Coma Scale(P=0.009)and greater need for surgical intervention(P=0.006)whereas no statistically significant association was found between raised ONSD and SOFA score,APACHE II score or ICU mortality.Our limitations were that it was a single centre study and we did not perform serial measurements or ONSD pre-and post-treatment or procedures for raised ICP.CONCLUSION ONSD can be used as a screening a test to detect raised ICP in a medical ICU and as a trigger to initiate further management of raised ICP.ONSD can be beneficial in ruling out a diagnosis in a low-prevalence population and rule in a diagnosis in a high-prevalence population.

Measuring tree stem diameters and straightness with depth-image computer vision

Current techniques of forest inventory rely on manual measurements and are slow and labor intensive.Recent developments in computer vision and depth sensing can produce accurate measurement data at significantly reduced time and labor costs.We developed the ForSense system to measure the diameters of trees at various points along the stem as well as stem straightness.Time use,mean absolute error(MAE),and root mean squared error(RMSE)metrics were used to compare the system against manual methods,and to compare the system against itself(reproducibility).Depth-derived diameter measurements of the stems at the heights of 0.3,1.4,and 2.7 m achieved RMSE of 1.7,1.5,and 2.7 cm,respectively.The ForSense system produced straightness measurement data that was highly correlated with straightness ratings by trained foresters.The ForSense system was also consistent,achieving sub-centimeter diameter difference with subsequent measures and less than 4%difference in straightness value between runs.This method of forest inventory,which is based on depth-image computer vision,is time efficient compared to manual methods and less computationally and technologically intensive compared to Structure-from-Motion(SFM)photogrammetry and ground-based LiDAR or terrestrial laser scanning(TLS).

Accuracy of Trans-Cerebellar Diameter and Placental Thickness in Third Trimesteric Pregnant Women for Calculation of Gestational Age: A Cross Sectional Study

Background: Accurate determination of gestational age has become important for deciding the appropriate time for termination of the pregnancy as well as to monitor the fetal growth during the entire period of pregnancy. Objective: The aim of the study was to assess whether the trans-cerebellar diameter, placental thickness or combining both of them is more accurate for assessment of gestational age in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy. Patients and Methods: This is a cross sectional study conducted at outpatient Clinic and Obstetric ward, Ain Shams University Maternity Hospital, over a period of six months from March 2019 to September 2019. One hundred pregnant women were recruited according to inclusion criteria either from outpatient clinic or were admitted in obstetric ward Ain Shams Maternity Hospital to find out the most accurate fetal biometric measurement in the third trimester either trans-cerebellar diameter placental thickness or both compared to reliable LMP (last menstrual period) dates confirmed by crown rump length (CRL) in the first trimester. Results: Trans-cerebellar diameter mean ± SD was 46.0 ± 3.5 with range 38.2 - 51.7. The mean of placental thickness was 39.6 ± 7.1 with range 22.8 - 54.3. Placental thickness had highest determination (0.813) for last menstrual period followed by trans-cerebellar diameter (0.802). Combining trans-cerebellar diameter and placental thickness increased determination (0.902) for last menstrual period. Conclusion: Combined use of trans-cerebellar diameter and placental thickness in the third trimester of pregnancy is a reliable indicator for gestational age in women whose last menstrual period is unreliable or unknown, but placental thickness had higher accuracy than trans-cerebellar diameter.

Diameter distributions in Pinus sylvestris L.stands:evaluating modelling approaches including a machine learning technique

The diameter distribution of trees in a stand provides the basis for determining the stand’s ecological and economic value,its structure and stability and appropriate management practices.Scots pine(Pinus sylvestris L.)is one of the most common and important conifers in Turkey,so a well-planned management schedule is critical.Diameter distribution models to accurately describe the stand structure help improve management strategies,but developing reliable models requires a deep understanding of the growth,output and constraints of the forests.The most important information derived by diameter distribution models is primary data on horizontal stand structure for each diameter class of trees:basal area and volume per unit area.These predictions are required to estimate the range of products and predicted volume and yield from a forest stand.Here,to construct an accurate,reliable diameter distribution model for natural Scots pine stands in the Türkmen Mountain region,we used Johnson’s SBdistribution to represent the empirical diameter distributions of the stands using ground-based measurements from 55 sample plots that included1219 trees in natural distribution zones of the forests.As an alternative,nonparametric approach,which does not require any predefined function,an artificial intelligence model was constructed based on support vector machine methodology.An error index was calculated to evaluate the results.Overall,both Johnson’s SB probability density function with a three-parameter recovery approach and the support vector regression methodology provided reliable estimates of the diameter distribution of these stands.

广西沃柑果实横径生长动态及模型构建

【目的】研究广西沃柑果实横径的生长动态并构建数学模型,为提升其品质和产量提供科学依据。【方法】以沃柑为材料,于稳果后,连续两年每月1日、15日通过“定园、定点、定果、定期”的方法测量并记录广西桂南、桂中、桂北15个果园的沃柑横径数据,直至采收期,研究沃柑横径的变化动态,考察年终横径与各生长节点,月度横径增加值与主要气象信息的相关性并建立数学模型。【结果】各个果园最终的横径差别较大,达到极显著差异水平,多个果园的横径有待提升;对比气象数据,选定2021—2022年度的沃柑横径数据为正常年份数据,翌年1月15日果实横径平均值为69.85 mm,最高的果园达75.33 mm,最小的61.55 mm;以80、75、70、65、60、55 mm为等级,构建桂南、桂北和桂中沃柑果实横径生长动态对照表、横径月度增加值对照表;分别建立年终沃柑横径数值与各生长节点,横径月度增加值与主要月度气象信息的数学模型,年终横径与7月15日呈显著正相关,与8月15日以后呈极显著正相关,至11月1日达到极显著的0.934 0;月度增加值与降雨、温度相关系数分别为显著的0.791 8和极显著的0.879 1。【结论】广西沃柑提质增产仍存在较大空间,可结合当期横径生长对照表、定期差值对照表,科学合理安排水肥药的灌溉来进一步加速果实膨大,从而提升效益。

高瓦斯煤层大直径钻孔卸压增透瓦斯渗流时空演化机理

矿井瓦斯抽采面临抽采率低、有效抽采周期短、瓦斯预抽体积分数不达标等困境。为实现高瓦斯低透气性煤层的精准卸压增透,以顺和煤矿2404典型深井高瓦斯低透气性煤层工作面为研究对象,基于长时力学效应理论建模、COMSOL数值分析和现场试验等方法,构建了大直径钻孔卸压煤层瓦斯运移多场耦合模型,提出了大直径钻孔瓦斯有效抽采半径的判定指标——残余瓦斯压力不超过0.22 MPa,揭示了大直径煤层钻孔卸压增透机理及瓦斯运移规律:单一大直径钻孔煤层瓦斯压力呈以钻孔圆心为对称中心的椭圆分布,即由钻孔圆心向外瓦斯压力逐渐增加,随着抽采时间延长,抽采达标区域逐渐扩大。钻孔周边应力转移特征为:随着抽采时间增加,单一大直径钻孔周边点的垂直应力呈现先增后降趋势。进一步提出了高瓦斯低透气性煤层大直径钻孔卸压增透抽采技术。模拟确定了钻孔有效抽采半径,孔间距6.0 m、直径300 mm钻孔卸压增透效果最好,其两侧3.0 m内平均渗透率为1.58×10^(-15)m^(2),远大于初始值1.15×10^(-17)m^(2)。现场应用表明,大直径钻孔瓦斯抽采远优于普通钻孔,300 mm大直径钻孔瓦斯体积分数最大值为47.2%,75 mm原钻孔最大瓦斯体积分数最大值仅为10.6%,且大直径钻孔5.0%以上高瓦斯体积分数抽采天数提高了40.2%,有效解决了小直径瓦斯钻孔治理难题,为高瓦斯煤层高效精准卸压增透强化抽采提供了有效途径。