Myopia and Other Visual Disorders in Children

Depto. de Optometría y VisiónFac. de Óptica y OptometríaTRUEpu

Prevalence of Dry Eyes Symptoms in Association with Contact Lenses and Refractive Status in Portugal

Background: Determine whether the presence of ocular symptoms in soft-contact-lens wearers changes depending on the refractive status. Methods: During the months of January to March 2022, the CLDEQ-8 questionnaire was administered to soft-contact-lens wearers. The statistical analysis was carried out using the SPSS 27.0 computer program (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Results: A total of 251 subjects participated in the study, with a higher percentage of myopes than hyperopes (82.1% versus 16.7%; p < 0.001). Out of all total participants, 21.5% suffered from dry-eye symptoms. It was noted that hyperopes presented a higher rate of dry-eye symptoms (p = 0.041). At the same time, the spherical equivalent was more positive in the participants with dry-eye symptoms (p = 0.014). Significant differences were found based on the symptoms present with contact lenses and the degree of myopia. The intensity of visual disturbances was higher in the participants with medium myopia (median [IQR]: 1/5 [2]) compared to those with low (median [IQR]: 0/5 [2]) and high myopia (median [IQR]: 0/5 [1]) (p = 0.009). Conclusions: Contact-lens wearers with hyperopia showed a higher rate of ocular dryness than those with myopia. In turn, wearing daily-replacement lenses could be one of the reasons for the lesser presence of ocular dryness compared to monthly-replacement lenses.Sección Deptal. de Óptica (Óptica)Fac. de Óptica y OptometríaTRUEpu

Citation Network Analysis on the Influence of Vision on Academic Performance

Background: Proper vision is absolutely critical to children’s academic performance, as vision problems can drastically affect learning ability. Currently, the existing literature in this field is somewhat inconsistent and carries several controversies about the influence of vision on academic performance. In this study, citation networks were utilized in order to analyze the relationship between publications and authors, the most-cited publication, and the different research areas. Additionally, the most commonly utilized publication sources along with the most common research areas were also pinpointed. Methods: The aforementioned search was executed in the Web of Science database, with a time range beginning in 1941 and ending in 2022. In order to scrutinize the publications, VOSviewer, CiteSpace software, and the Citation Network Explorer were utilized for analysis about the most-cited publication and the different research areas. Results: Overall, 1342 papers were found in all fields along with 2187 citation networks. Moreover, 2020 was the year with the most publications, including 127 publications and 4 citation networks. Bull et al., published in 2008, was the most-cited work, reaching a citation index of 975. The clustering function managed to identity four groups with the most engaging research topics from researchers: motor visual skills, visual memory, the influence of vision on the different learning styles, and abnormal development of the visual system. Conclusions: In the end, the topic with the greatest interest was the influence of visual motor skills on academic performance. Ideally, this paper will assist fellow researchers in quickly noting which topics are of greatest interest and how research in this area has evolved.Depto. de Optometría y VisiónFac. de Óptica y OptometríaTRUEpu

Artificial intelligence applied to ophthalmology and optometry: A citation network analysis

Purpose: The objective of this study is to analyse co-authorship and co-citation networks of publications in the field of artificial intelligence in ophthalmology and optometry. As well as, identify the different areas of research and the most cited publication. Method: A search of publications was performed in the Web of Science database for the period from 1977 to December 2021, using the term “Artificial Intelligence AND (Ophthalmol* OR optometry)”. The analysis of the publication was carried out using the Citation Network Explorer, VOSviewer and CiteSpace software. Results: 1086 publications and 2348 citation networks were found. 2020 was the year with the highest number of publications, a total of 351 publications and 115 citation networks. The most cited publication was “Clinically applicable deep learning for diagnosis and referral in retinal disease” published by De Fauw et al. in 2018, with a citation index of 723. Through the clustering function, three groups were found that cover the main research areas in this field: retinal pathology, anterior segment and glaucoma. Conclusions: The citation network analysis offers an in-depth analysis of scientific publications and the adoption of new topics and fields of research. The results of an exhaustive analysis of citation networks in artificial intelligence in the field of ophthalmology and optometry are presented since the publication of the first article in 1977.Depto. de Optometría y VisiónFac. de Óptica y OptometríaTRUEpu

Nuevo método de cálculo del coeficiente de seguridad de talud, en balsas y presas, mediante la teoría de MOHR-COULOMB

Hasta la fecha y para balsas y presas de uso agrícola, se ha venido utilizando, para el cálculo de este coeficiente de seguridad de talud, el método de las fajas de Fellenius, el cual presenta el inconveniente de los numerosos tanteos que hay que efectuar para poder obtener el coeficiente mínimo de seguridad y la ventaja de que es bastante fiable, sobre todo para presas de tipo homogéneo y heterogéneo. Por este motivo se ha decidido buscar un método alternativo que simplifique enormemente el modus operandi. Para conseguir dicho objetivo, se ha tomado como base la Teoría de Mohr-Coulomb, la cual resuelve el problema de una forma bastante sencilla

Assembling Nonplanar Polyaromatic Units by Click Chemistry. Study of Multicorannulene Systems as Host for Fullerenes

Producción CientíficaNovel compounds with two or three corannulene subunits have been obtained by “click chemistry”. These exotic systems were synthesized in high yields using the ethynylcorannulene as common reagent. The synergistic action as receptors for fullerenes of several corannulene blocks has been evaluated. It was found that the three-armed derivatives showed efficient complexation abilities toward C60. Furthermore, a new compound having two corannulene subunits linked to a hexahelicene scaffold has a remarkable affinity constant. Finally, theoretical calculations have been performed to evaluate the formation of their relative adducts containing a C60 molecule.Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad (Projects 258 CTQ2013-41067-P and CTQ2011-23862-C02

Guiding the Creation of Choreographed Processes with Multiple Instances Based on Data Models

Choreography in business processes is used as a mechanism to communicate various organizations, by providing a method to isolate the behaviour of each part and keeping the privacy of their data. Nev ertheless, choreography diagrams can also be necessary inside an orga nization when a single instance of a process needs to interact and be synchronized with multiple instances of another process simultaneously. The description, by business experts, and the implementation, by devel opers, of these choreographed models are highly complex, especially when the activities involved in the processes exchange various data objects and with different cardinalities. We propose the automatic detection of the synchronization points, when a choreographed process model is needed. The choreography will be derived from the analysis of the process model, data objects consumed and generated through the process, and the data conceptual model that relates the data objects. A graphical tool has been developed to support where the synchronization points must be included, helping to decide about the patterns that describe how a single model can be transformed into a choreographed model.Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología TIN2015-63502-C3-2-

Evaluación de una muestra representativa de los relatos presentados al Concurso Nacional de Cuento Gabriel García Márquez (2007)

This article summarizes the research project “Analysis of a representative sample of the reports submitted to the National Short Story Competition Gabriel García Marquez (2007)”, carried out by the DiLeMa Research Group within the framework of the convention between the Universidad del Quindío and the National Education Ministry (2008). The project, conceived as a hybrid approach, mixing both quantitative and qualitative methods and thought patterns from T. van Dijk and R. De Beaugrande / W. Dressler, concluded that there was a need to restructure the ways in which the production of written texts (narrative or otherwise) is taught and to bring them effectively in line with the criteria outlined in Curricular Alignment and Basic Standards, particularly in the conception of a text as an act of communication, as well as the writing itself as a process.El proyecto, pensado desde los modelos de T. van Dijk y R. De Beaugrande / W.Dressler y estructurado desde un enfoque mixto entre lo cuantitativo y lo cualitativo, resaltó como conclusión la necesidad de replantear las prácticas docentes en torno a la didáctica de la producción de textos escritos (narrativos o no) y de acoplarlas significativamente a los Lineamientos y Estándares Curriculares, sobre todo en cuanto a la concepción del texto como acto de comunicación y de la escritura como proceso

Mathematical analysis and optimal control of heavy metals phytoremediation techniques

In this work we optimize different issues related to phytoremediation techniques for heavy metals removal from shallow water, by means of a combination of mathematical modeling, optimal control of partial differential equations and numerical optimization. We introduce, analyze and solve a 2D mathematical system of nonlinear partial differential equations representing the concentrations of heavy metals, algae and nutrients in large waterbodies. Then, we formulate an optimal control problem related to the optimization of the phytoremediation process. In particular, we determine the minimal quantity of algae to be used in the heavy metals remediation process, and locate the optimal place for such algal mass. We also propose two different full algorithms for computing the numerical solution of the control problem and, finally, we present several numerical results for a realistic case.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad | Ref. MTM2015-65570-

Drug assessment by a Pharmacy and Therapeutics committee: from drug selection criteria to use in clinical practice

Background: In Spain, hospital medicines are assessed and selected by local Pharmacy and Therapeutics committees (PTCs). Of all the drugs assessed, cancer drugs are particularly important because of their budgetary impact and the sometimes arguable added value with respect to existing alternatives. This study analyzed the PTC drug selection process and the main objective was to evaluate the degree of compliance of prescriptions for oncology drugs with their criteria for use. Methods: This was a retrospective observational study (May 2007 to April 2010) of PTC-assessed drugs. The variables measured to describe the committee's activity were number of drugs assessed per year and number of drugs included in any of these settings: without restrictions, with criteria for use, and not included in formulary. These drugs were also analyzed by therapeutic group. To assess the degree of compliance of prescriptions, a score was calculated to determine whether prescriptions for bevacizumab, cetuximab, trastuzumab, and bortezomib were issued in accordance with PTC drug use criteria. Results: The PTC received requests for inclusion of 40 drugs, of which 32 were included in the hospital formulary (80.0%). Criteria for use were established for 28 (87.5%) of the drugs included. In total, 293 patients were treated with the four cancer drugs in eight different therapeutic indications. The average prescription compliance scores were as follows: bevacizumab, 83% for metastatic colorectal cancer, 100% for metastatic breast cancer, and 82.3% for non-small-cell lung cancer; cetuximab, 62.0% for colorectal cancer and 50% for head and neck cancer; trastuzumab, 95.1% for early breast cancer and 82.4% for metastatic breast cancer; and bortezomib, 63.7% for multiple myeloma. Conclusion: The degree of compliance with criteria for use of cancer drugs was reasonably high. PTC functions need to be changed so that they can carry out more innovative tasks, such as monitoring conditions for drug use