On the measurement of the Hubble constant in a local low-density universe

Astrophysical observations indicate that the ``Local Universe" has a relatively lower matter density ($\Omega_0$) than the predictions of the standard inflation cosmology and the large-scale motions of galaxies which provide a mean mass density to be very close to unity. In such a local underdense region the Hubble expansion may not be representative of the global behaviour. Utilizing an underdense sphere embedded in a flat universe as the model of our ``Local Universe", we show that the local Hubble constant would be 1.2 -- 1.4 times larger than the global value on scale of $\sim80$ Mpc, depending on the variation of $\Omega_0$. This may account for the recent measurements of the unpleasantly large Hubble constant of $\sim$80 km/s/Mpc using the Cepheid variables in the Virgo cluster and the relative distance between Virgo and Coma cluster and removes the resulted apparent paradox of the age of our universe.Comment: 9 pages, Latex file, 3 figures available by reques

Application of RetCamⅡ in the screening of neonatal fundus disease

AIM: To investigate the safe and reliable examination method for neonatal fundus screening.<p>METHODS: Fundus information of 2 836 neonates performed by RetCamⅡ in our hospital from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012 were retrospectively analyzed, including 1 625 cases(57.30%)of premature infants which were first examined 1-4 weeks after birth and 1 211 cases(42.70%)of term infants which were first examined within 4 weeks after birth.<p>RESULTS: Totally 454 cases of abnormalfundus were found, including 207 cases(12.74%)of retinopathy of prematurity(ROP), ROPⅠ in 118 cases(57%), ROPⅡ in 58 cases(28.02%), ROPⅢ in 23 cases(11.11%), ROPⅣ in 8 cases(3.86%), no case of ROPV. A total of 247(20.40%)term infants had abnormal fundus, of which 68 cases(27.53%)were developmental or hereditary disease, retinoblastoma in 1 case(0.40%), retinal hemorrhage in 102 cases(41.30%), retinal exudative changes in 68 cases(27.53%), optic atrophy in 5 cases(2.02%)and optic disc edema in 3 cases(1.21%).<p>CONCLUSION: Neonatal fundus diseases were so various and harmful that early screening should be attended to. Premature infants and term infants with high risk are treated as focus group of fundus screening and RetCamII examination is safe and effective