Association between ambient air pollution and dry eye symptoms among Chinese individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic: a national-based study

This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant number 82122059).Purpose: To examine the association between ambient air pollution and dry eye symptoms (DES) during the COVID-19 pandemic and explore whether air pollution had increased the risk of DES to a greater extent than other risk factors. Methods: A nationwide cross-sectional survey was conducted from June 20, 2022 to August 31, 2022. The Ocular Surface Disease Index-6 (OSDI-6) questionnaire was used to assess the presence of DES. Logistic regression models were employed to analyze the associations between DES and air pollution variables, including air quality index (AQI), fine particulate matter (PM2.5), PM10, sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3) and residing near industrial zones. We explored the interactions of air pollutants and other risk factors in the additive models by calculating the synergy index (SI). Standardized regression coefficients were calculated to compare the relative importance of risk factors for DES. Results: A total of 21,909 participants were included in the analysis. Residing near industrial zones was significantly correlated with a higher risk of DES (Odds ratio (OR): 1.57, 95 % confidence interval (CI): 1.38–1.79). No significant associations were found between DES and air pollutants except SO2 (OR: 1.05, 95 % CI: 1.02–1.09, per standard deviation increment in SO2 concentration). The restricted cubic spline analyses revealed a linear concentration-response relationship between SO2 and DES. The interaction analyses suggested synergetic interactions of SO2 with depression and problematic internet use. Among the risk factors, depression, anxiety, and problematic Internet use contributed more to the increased risk of DES. Conclusion: The association between ambient air pollutants and DES may have been mitigated during the pandemic due to increased time spent indoors. Despite this, our findings support the deleterious health impact of air pollutants. Future urban planning should plan industrial zones further away from residential areas.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Anti-myopia spectacles: the standard of care in the future?

Reports of myopia increases across the world show an expanding growing public health problem. Myopia prevalence is exceptionally high in some continents, especially in Asia and particularly east Asian countries, but was also reported to have increased in other continents, such as North America and Europe, although there is considerable variation between geographic areas and racial groups in the myopia burden. The presence of myopia, especially high myopia, increases the risk of development of pathologic myopia and visual impairment. The peak incidence of myopia occurs in childhood, but the associated blinding ocular complications develop later during adulthood. Children with an increased risk of visual impairment due to pathologic myopia often have a longer duration of the disease, longer axial length (AL), and thinner choroid. Thus, myopia control therapies should be implemented early to avoid the development of high myopia, as the early age of myopia onset plays a fundamental role in myopia progression, with about 50% of children with myopia onset at 7 or 8 years of age developing high myopia in adulthood, if left untreated. Increased prevalence of high myopia related to AL elongation is likely to result in higher rates of myopic macular degeneration (MMD). At present, we do not know if treating myopic progression will avoid the development of MMD. However, it seems logical to slow AL elongation to prevent severe disease and complications associated with pathologic myopia. Consequently, controlling myopia progression has become one of the highest priorities for eye care professionals all over the world.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Prevalence of anisometropia and its associated factors in school-age children

Shahroud School Children Eye Cohort Study is funded by the Noor Ophthalmology Research Center and Shahroud University of Medical Sciences [Grant Number: 960351].Purpose: To determine the prevalence of anisometropia and the associated demographic and biometric risk factors in children. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on the elementary school children of Shahroud, east of Iran, in 2015. All rural students were recruited, while multistage cluster sampling was used to select the students in urban areas. All children underwent optometric examinations including the measurement of uncorrected and corrected visual acuity, autorefraction, and subjective refraction with cycloplegia. Biometric components were measured using the Allegro Biograph. Myopia and hyperopia were defined as a spherical equivalent ≤-0.5 and ≥ +2.00 diopter, respectively. Students with a history of ocular trauma or lack of cycloplegic refraction at least in one eye were excluded from the study. Results: Of 6624 selected children, 5620 participated in the study. After applying the exclusion criteria, the data of 5357 students (boys: 52.8%, n = 2834) were analyzed. The mean age of the subjects was 9.2 ± 1.7 years (range: 6-12 years). The prevalence of anisometropia ≥ 1 D was 1.1% (95% CI: 0.8 to 1.4) in all children, 1.0% (95% CI: 0.7-1.3) in boys, 1.3% (95% CI: 0.8-1.7) in girls, 1.1% (95% CI: 0.8-1.4) in urban children, and 1.4% (95% CI: 0.5-2.3) in rural children. The prevalence of anisometropia was 8.8% (95% CI: 5.3-12.2) in myopic and 5.7% (95% CI: 2.8-8.5) in hyperopic children. Axial length asymmetry (OR = 40.9; 95%CI: 10.2-164.1), myopia (OR = 17.9; 95% CI: 9.4-33.9), and hyperopia (OR = 10.1; 95% CI: (5.1-19.7) were associated with anisometropia in multiple logistic regression model. More anisometropia was associated with more severe amblyopia. The odds of amblyopia (OR = 82.3: 38.2-177-3) and strabismus (OR = 17.6: 5.5-56.4) were significantly higher in anisometropic children. The prevalence of amblyopia was 21.7% in children with myopic anisometropia ≥ 3D, 66.7% in children with hyperopic anisometropia ≥ 3D, and 100% in cases with antimetropia ≥ 3D. Conclusion: The prevalence of anisometropia was low in Iranian schoolchildren. However, a high percentage of anisometropic students had amblyopia and strabismus. Axial length was the most important biometric component associated with anisometropia.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Lower indoor spatial frequency increases the risk of myopia in children

Background/aims: Animal models have shown that the absence of high-frequency visual information can precipitate the onset of myopia, but this relationship remains unclear in humans. This study aims to explore the association between the spatial frequency content of the visual environment and myopia in children. Methods: Images from the rooms of children and their frequently visited outdoor areas were taken by their parents and collected by the researcher through questionnaires. The spatial frequency was quantified using Matlab. Cycloplegic refraction was used to measure the spherical equivalent (SE), and IOL Master was used to measure axial length (AL) and corneal radius (CR). AL/CR ratio was calculated. Results: The study included 566 children with an average age of (8.04±1.47) years, of which 270 were girls (47.7%), and the average SE was (0.70±1.21) D. Image analysis revealed that indoor spatial frequency slope was lower than that of the outdoor environment (-1.43±0.18 vs -1.11±0.23, p<0.001). There were 79 myopic individuals (14.0%). Images from indoor content of myopic children had a lower spatial frequency slope than non-myopic children (-1.47±0.16 vs 1.43±0.18, p=0.03) while there was no significant difference in outdoor spatial frequency slope. Regression analysis indicated that the indoor spatial frequency slope was positively associated with SE value (β=0.60, p=0.02) and inversely related to myopia (OR=0.24, p<0.05). Conclusion: The spatial frequency of the outdoor environment is significantly higher than that of the indoor environment. Indoor spatial frequency is related to children's refractive status, with lower indoor spatial frequency being associated with a higher degree of myopia.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Walking Mad: uma viagem entre o riso e o limiar do colapso

O programa de sala do espetáculo Walking Mad/Cacti da Companhia Nacional de Bailado (CNB), que decorreu entre 19 e 29 de junho de 2025, no Teatro Camões, inclui um texto escrito por Madalena Xavier professora coordenadora da Escola Superior de Dança do Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa. "Walking Mad: Uma viagem entre o riso e o limiar do colapso" é um texto sobre a peça coreográfica Walking Mad do coreógrafo sueco Johan Inger.The program for the show Walking Mad/Cacti by the Companhia Nacional de Bailado (CNB), which took place between June 19 and 29, 2025, at Teatro Camões, includes a text written by Madalena Xavier, coordinating professor at the Escola Superior de Dança of the Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa. "Walking Mad: A journey between laughter and the threshold of collapse" is a text about the choreographic piece Walking Mad by the Swedish choreographer Johan Inger

Determinantes da escolha do justo valor como base de mensuração de ativos não financeiros na União Europeia

O presente trabalho visa identificar as determinantes da escolha do justo valor na mensuração subsequente de propriedades de investimento, de ativos fixos tangíveis e de ativos intangíveis por parte das entidades que, na União Europeia, relatam de acordo com as IFRS. Tendo por base as linhas de investigação de diversos estudos, este trabalho assenta numa análise quantitativa, usando um modelo econométrico logit, com base nos relatórios e contas de 118 empresas (PSI 20, STOXX 50 e EURONEXT 100), representativa de entidades da União Europeia. Os resultados obtidos indicam que o peso das propriedades de investimento no ativo total, a dimensão da empresa, os resultados por ação, a variação do resultado integral, a existência de remuneração variável nos administradores e as participações qualificadas aumentam a probabilidade de adoção do justo valor. A relação observada na remuneração variável e nas participações qualificadas proporcionam alguma evidência que corrobora a teoria da agência. Por outro lado, o alisamento dos resultados, a variação do lucro, o peso dos ativos intangíveis, ativos fixos tangíveis e propriedades de investimento no ativo total e o peso do EBITDA no volume de negócios diminuem a probabilidade de adoção do justo valor. Os resultados obtidos revelam ainda que as empresas portuguesas adotam mais frequentemente o justo valor como base de mensuração subsequente, comparativamente com outras empresas da União Europeia. Ao analisar os determinantes da adoção do justo valor, o presente estudo mostra-se relevante para um vasto leque de agentes, nomeadamente auditores, analistas, reguladores, organismos de normalização contabilística, entre outros.This study identifies the drives to choose the fair value as a measurement after recognition of Investment Properties; of Property, Plant and Equipment and of intangible assets by entities in the European Union that report in accordance to IFRS. Based on the research lines of several studies, this work is grounded in a quantitative analysis using a logit econometric model, applied to financial statements of 118 companies (PSI 20, STOXX 50, and EURONEXT 100) representing entities from the European Union. The results indicate that the weight of investment properties in total assets, company size, earnings per share, variation in comprehensive income, existence of variable executive compensation and qualified holdings increase the likelihood of using fair value recognition. The relation observed in variable compensation and qualified shareholdings provides some evidence supporting agency theory. On the other hand, earnings smoothing, profit variation, the weight of intangible assets, tangible fixed assets, and investment properties in total assets, and the weight of EBITDA in revenue decrease the likelihood of using fair value recognition. The results also show that Portuguese companies adopt fair value more frequently as a basis for subsequent measurement compared to other companies in the European Union. By analyzing the drivers of fair value adoption, this study proves to be relevant for a broad range of stakeholders, including auditors, analysts, regulators, accounting standards regulators, among others

Study of additive manufacturing intrinsic defects on fatigue life of Ti-6Al-4V †

The present work presents a new approach to studying the structural integrity of a Ti-6Al-4V alloy obtained by Selective Laser Melting (SLM). This approach is based on the intrinsic addictive manufacturing defects analysis obtained by nanotomography, the experimental S-N curve, and the small crack growth Murakami and Endo model. Also, two counting methods of 3D manufacturing intrinsic defects were considered. The simulation of S-N curves and the small crack propagation curves were successfully obtained. New models for predicted fatigue limit were developed, one using the (3D) variable area of the defects observed as the total area and the other using the total project area. The 3D total surface area counting method presents more conservative values on crack propagation studies, so it is recommended for integrity studies of Ti6Al4V alloy obtained by SLM

Evidência de clusters de volatilidade: uma abordagem aplicada aos índices bolsistas

A volatilidade é um conceito muito importante no contexto financeiro e económico, uma vez que se refere a uma medida de flutuação no preço ou na taxa de retorno de um ativo ao longo do tempo. É considerado um dos aspetos mais importantes a ter em conta para quem quer investir no mercado financeiro, uma vez que relaciona a maneira como o preço de um determinado ativo se comporta no mercado. A previsão da volatilidade é crucial para qualquer pessoa que esteja inserida no mercado financeiro, uma vez que proporciona insights para a gestão do risco, tomada de decisões de possíveis investimentos e execução de estratégias de negociação eficazes. Este estudo pretende analisar o padrão da volatilidade dos mercados de ações do índice S&P500 e PSI-20 para o período de 7 de janeiro de 2013 a 29 de dezembro de 2023. A relevância deste estudo centra-se na possibilidade de verificação da existência de clusters de volatilidade, ou seja, se existem períodos de grande volatilidade de um ativo financeiro a serem seguidos por outros períodos de igual oscilação, através da aplicação de um modelo de heterocedasticidade condicionada GARCH – Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroskedaticity Model.Volatility is a fundamental concept in the financial and economic context, as it refers to a measure of fluctuation in the price or rate of return of an asset over time. It is considered one of the most important aspects to take into account for anyone who wants to invest in the financial market, as it relates to how the price of a particular asset behaves in the market. Predicting volatility is crucial for anyone involved in the financial market, as it provides insights for managing risk, making decisions about possible investments, and executing effective trading strategies. This study aims to analyze the volatility pattern of the S&P500 and PSI-20 stock markets for the period January 7, 2013 to December 29, 2023. The relevance of this study lies in the possibility of verifying the existence of volatility clusters, i.e. whether there are periods of high volatility in a financial asset followed by other periods of equal oscillation, through the application of a Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedasticity (GARCH).IPL/IDI&CA2023/RISKFIN_ISCA

Drug recommendation system based on symptoms and user sentiment analysis (DRecSys-SUSA)

Abstract The rapid growth of user-generated content on multiple online platforms has opened opportunities for improving decision-making across various domains, including healthcare. This dissertation focuses on the development of our Drug Recommendation System based on usergenerated content (DRecSys-SUSA), designed to assist healthcare professionals and patients by providing personalized drug recommendations and supporting informed decision-making. Our research leverages the UCI ML Drug Review dataset as the foundation for developing an advanced recommendation system. Our solution utilizes a combination of modern AI techniques, including Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA), data pre-processing, sentiment analysis (SA), and text generation using a fine-tuned Large Language Model (LLM). We design and propose a recommendation system framework, within which we implement multiple variants of DRecSys-SUSA using different combinations of AI techniques. Each variant generates medically relevant suggestions to user-specific inputs such as age, symptoms, and current medications. Through an iterative process of implementation and evaluation using an LLM-as-judge methodology with AI-generated real-world scenarios, we identify which AI techniques are most beneficial for providing clinically appropriate and user-friendly drug recommendations. The resulting insights contribute to the advancement of AI-driven healthcare tools by establishing effective approaches for leveraging user-generated content in medical recommendation systems.O rápido crescimento de conteúdo gerado por utilizadores em múltiplas plataformas online abriu oportunidades para melhorar a tomada de decisões em vários domínios, incluindo no domínio da saúde. Esta dissertação centra-se no desenvolvimento do nosso Sistema de Recomendação de Medicamentos baseado em conteúdo gerado por utilizadores (DRecSys-SUSA), concebido para auxiliar profissionais de saúde e pacientes, fornecendo recomendações personalizadas de medicamentos e apoiando a tomada de decisões informada. A nossa investigação utiliza o conjunto de dados UCI ML Drug Review como base para desenvolver um sistema de recomendação avançado. A nossa solução utiliza uma combinação de técnicas modernas de Inteligência Artificial (IA), incluindo Análise Exploratória de Dados, pré-processamento de dados, análise de sentimentos e geração de texto utilizando um Modelo de Linguagem de Grande Escala especializado. Concebemos e propomos uma estrutura de sistema de recomendação, na qual implementamos múltiplas variantes do DRecSys-SUSA utilizando diferentes combinações de técnicas de IA. Cada variante gera sugestões medicamente relevantes para inputs específicos do utilizador, como idade, sintomas e medicação atual. Através de um processo iterativo de implementação e avaliação utilizando uma metodologia LLM-as-judge com cenários reais gerados por IA, identificamos quais as técnicas de IA mais benéficas para fornecer recomendações de medicamentos clinicamente apropriadas e de fácil utilização. Os resultados obtidos contribuem para o avanço das ferramentas de saúde baseadas em IA, estabelecendo abordagens eficazes para aproveitar o conteúdo gerado por utilizadores em sistemas de recomendação médica

Highly porous NiFe nanofoams synthesized by dynamic hydrogen bubble template for hydrogen evolution in alkaline media

When coupled with renewable energy sources, alkaline electrolysis (AEL) is a clean technology to produce hydrogen. The conventional electrodes that have been established as the commercial standard for AEL are perforated nickel plates, which have low surface area and high mass loads of active material. The use of Ni has been associated with the adsorption of protons and their recombination into H2 molecules, assisting and enabling the hydrogen evolution reactions. Due to the rising Ni price, there is a demand for less expensive electrode materials with identical, or better, performance. Thus, this work explores new alternative electrode materials and combines Ni with a cheaper and also electroactive metal, iron. For this purpose, highly porous bimetallic nanofoams are produced through the dynamic hydrogen bubble template. NiFe electrodes of different compositions are characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, linear sweep voltammetry, and chronopotentiometry analysis. The results allow obtaining key parameters that are essential for the optimization of the electrode's response considering overpotentials, Tafel slopes, and other electrochemically relevant parameters