The Monocular Trial: Does Response to Glaucoma Therapy in One Eye Predict Response in the Fellow Eye?

Purpose: To study if the intraocular pressure (IOP) change observed after starting a glaucoma medication in one eye is predictive of the change in IOP observed in the fellow eye once the same medication is used in both eyes. Methods: In a retrospective study, 55 patients with glaucoma underwent monocular drug trials with various medications before the drug was added to the second eye. The change in IOP of the first treated eye during monocular therapy was compared with the IOP change of the second eye during binocular therapy. Relative changes in IOP of each eye were calculated by subtracting the change in IOP of the fellow eye from the treated eye. Results: The IOP of the first eye decreased 5.8 ± 6.1 mmHg (mean ± standard deviation) during monocular therapy and the IOP of the second eye decreased 3.4 ± 5.7 mmHg during binocular therapy. The absolute IOP changes in the first and second eyes were poorly correlated (r = 0.095, p = 0.49). When relative changes in IOP were used, the first eye decreased 6.3 ± 5.3 mmHg and the second eye 4.2 ± 4.5 mmHg. The relative changes were well correlated (r = 0.404, p = 0.002). Excellent correlation was noted in the subset of glaucoma suspect patients when using absolute IOP changes (r = 0.590, p = 0.001). Conclusions: The data supports that the absolute response of one eye to a medication is predictive of the future response of the fellow eye to the same medication in patients with glaucoma suspect, but not in the overall glaucoma population. If one uses one eye as a control when assessing the efficacy of a drug in the fellow eye, then the response of one eye to a glaucoma medication is predictive of the response of the fellow eye

The conceptual review on the impact of organizational justice on workplace deviance and the mediating role of psychological contract breach

The prevalence of deviant behavior such as fraud, robbery, withholding effort, hostile acts, and sexual harassment in the workplace is a major problem for organizations. For good reasons, it is highly significant for executives and researchers to avoid deviant activity in the workplace. A recent report revealed that employees are found to be more involved than customers in deviant activities at the workplace. One in every fifteen employees steals from their employer. " The study finds that 33 to 75% of all workers have participated in deviant behaviors, and as many as 42% of women have been sexually abused at work. This article aims to analyze the phenomena of workplace deviance and destruction caused by workplace deviance in the form of huge psychological and financial losses to organizations. First, we discuss the need for research on workplace deviance, especially in the collectivistic culture, by reviewing previous studies from deviance literature. Next, we present the role of organizational justice in triggering workplace deviance. Then we also propose a new mediating variable in the form of a Psychological Contract Breach between Organizational justice and Workplace deviance. This paper also contributes significantly to the dimensions/facets of Organizational Justice. The presented theoretical framework can be useful for conducting future empirical research. Finally, we present the conclusion and future research in conducting cross-national research with respect to workplace deviance

ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF A GAS TURBINE COMPRESSOR WASHING AT DIFFERENT INTERVALS

Gas turbine compressor fouling is a major operational issue that affects engine performance. In desert oil and gas, field compressor fouling can be caused by pollution such as airborne ash, smog, hydrocarbons and dust. Accumulation of such pollution in the compressor annulus can lead to sticky fouling. This can ultimately result in the reduction of the compressor mass flow and pressure ratio. In order to maintain constant output power, it is then necessary to increase the turbine entry temperature (TET). The result of such an operational change will cause higher emission rates. In addition, it will decrease the creep life of engine hot components and overall engine thermal efficiency. The investigation of the effect of compressor on-line cleaning leads to the following findings: (i) Frequent cleaning maintains longer creep life of the high-pressure turbine. (ii) More financial benefits due to reduction on fuel flow. (iii) Less cost of cleaning materials per engine, cost of manpower and overheads. In summary from cost aspect with the best frequency of washing intervals (4 weekly), approximately $ 30,000 will be saved annually. On the other hand, in order to attain better engine performance, a weekly washing interval is necessary.&nbsp

Stress-induced changes in CARF expression determine growth arrest, apoptosis, or malignant transformation in cultured human cells: Molecular evidence and its application

Background: CARF (Collaborator of ARF)/CDKN2AIP is an essential protein, first cloned as a binding partner of ARF. It was subsequently shown to interact with p53, HDM2 proteins and regulate growth arrest and apoptosis by its multimodal mechanism of action. Over-expression of CARF caused senescence like growth arrest of cells, its knock-down triggered apoptosis. Intriguingly, malignantly transformed cells showed high level of CARF expression. Based on these findings, we hypothesized that level of CARF expression may be a key determinant of cell proliferation fates; where an increase in its levels causes growth arrest/senescence, but beyond a threshold it activates carcinogenesis. Methods: We utilized in vitro cell culture models using retrovirus-driven expression of CARF to achieve over-expression and super-expression of CARF. Analysis of CARF levels was undertaken by biochemical and imaging protocols. Cells exposed to a variety of stresses including physiological, environmental, oxidative, radiation and chemotherapeutics was examined for CARF expression and corresponding cell proliferation fates. Results: Induction of Senescence was seen in cells over-expressing CARF. On the other hand, cells compromised for CARF showed apoptosis, and the ones with super-expression of CARF exhibited malignant transformation. CARF expression analysis in these experimental models endorsed the concept of cell-fate determining role of CARF. Conclusions: We present molecular evidence of the bridging role of CARF in stress-aging-cancer phenotypes and its application in pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals as a diagnostic and prognostic marker for stress and cancer treatments

5Gbps HG 0,1 and HG 0,3 optical mode division multiplexing for RoFSO

Radio-over-free-space optics (Ro-FSO) technology harnesses the large capacity of optical fiber and the mobility native to wireless networks.To increase the capacity of Ro-FSO networks, this work introduces a new optical mode division multiplexing (MDM) scheme for Ro-FSO by incorporating optical Hermite-Gaussian modes HG 0, 1 and HG 0, 3 for transmitting two distinct 2.5 Gbps data modulated on 10 GHz radio subcarriers.Signal-to-noise ratios and biterror-rates show successful 2 × 2.5Gbps data transmission of 10GHz radio-modulated subcarriers over the two HG optical carriers through a 800m free-space channel

Soft tissue tumor imaging in adults: European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology-Guidelines 2023—overview, and primary local imaging: how and where?

Objectives: Early, accurate diagnosis is crucial for the prognosis of patients with soft tissue sarcomas. To this end, standardization of imaging algorithms, technical requirements, and reporting is therefore a prerequisite. Since the first European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology (ESSR) consensus in 2015, technical achievements, further insights into specific entities, and the revised WHO-classification (2020) and AJCC staging system (2017) made an update necessary. The guidelines are intended to support radiologists in their decision-making and contribute to interdisciplinary tumor board discussions. Materials and methods: A validated Delphi method based on peer-reviewed literature was used to derive consensus among a panel of 46 specialized musculoskeletal radiologists from 12 European countries. Statements were scored online by level of agreement (0 to 10) during two iterative rounds. Either “group consensus,” “group agreement,” or “lack of agreement” was achieved. Results: Eight sections were defined that finally contained 145 statements with comments. Overall, group consensus was reached in 95.9%, and group agreement in 4.1%. This communication contains the first part consisting of the imaging algorithm for suspected soft tissue tumors, methods for local imaging, and the role of tumor centers. Conclusion: Ultrasound represents the initial triage imaging modality for accessible and small tumors. MRI is the modality of choice for the characterization and local staging of most soft tissue tumors. CT is indicated in special situations. In suspicious or likely malignant tumors, a specialist tumor center should be contacted for referral or teleradiologic second opinion. This should be done before performing a biopsy, without exception. Clinical relevance: The updated ESSR soft tissue tumor imaging guidelines aim to provide best practice expert consensus for standardized imaging, to support radiologists in their decision-making, and to improve examination comparability both in individual patients and in future studies on individualized strategies. Key Points: • Ultrasound remains the best initial triage imaging modality for accessible and small suspected soft tissue tumors. • MRI is the modality of choice for the characterization and local staging of soft tissue tumors in most cases; CT is indicated in special situations. Suspicious or likely malignant tumors should undergo biopsy. • In patients with large, indeterminate or suspicious tumors, a tumor reference center should be contacted for referral or teleradiologic second opinion; this must be done before a biopsy

Role of a medical student neuro-society organized neurosurgical conference: the Glasgow neuro experience

Background: Entering neurosurgical training in the United Kingdom demands extensive prior commitment and achievement, despite little to no exposure to the specialty in medical school. Conferences run by student “neuro-societies” offer a means to bridge this gap. This paper describes one student-led neuro-society’s experience of curating a 1-day national neurosurgical conference supported by our neurosurgical department. Methods: A pre-and post-conference survey was distributed to attendees to ascertain baseline opinions and conference impact using a five-point Likert Scale, and free text questions explored medical students’ opinions of neurosurgery and neurosurgical training. The conference offered four lectures and three workshops; the latter provided practical skills and networking opportunities. There were also 11 posters displayed throughout the day. Results: 47 medical students participated in our study. Post-conference, participants were more likely to understand what a neurosurgical career involves and how to secure training. They also reported increased knowledge about neurosurgery research, electives, audits, and project opportunities. Respondents enjoyed the workshops provided and suggested the inclusion of more female speakers in future. Conclusion: Neurosurgical conferences organized by student neuro-societies successfully address the gap between a lack of neurosurgery exposure and a competitive training selection. These events give medical students an initial understanding of a neurosurgical career through lectures and practical workshops; attendees also gain insight into attaining relevant achievements and have an opportunity to present research. Student neuro-society-organized conferences have the potential to be adopted internationally and used as a tool to educate on a global level and greatly aid medical students who are aspiring neurosurgeons