Reliability and reproducibility of spectral and time domain optical coherence tomography images before and after correction for patients with age-related macular degeneration.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the reproducibility and reliability of optical coherence tomography scans obtained using the time domain (TD-OCT) Stratus (TM) OCT, and the Spectral Domain (SD-OCT) Spectralis (TM) and Cirrus (TM) OCT devices before and after manual correction in eyes with either Neovascular (NV-AMD) or Non-Neovascular (NNV-AMD) age-related macular degeneration. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: University-based retina practice. PATIENTS: Thirty-six patients (50 eyes) with NV-AMD or NNV-AMD. PROCEDURE: OCT scans were taken simultaneously using one TD-OCT and two SD-OCT devices. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Macular thickness measurements were assessed before and after correction of the algorithm by constructing Bland-Altman plots for agreement and calculating intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and coefficients of repeatability (COR) to evaluate intraclass repeatability. RESULTS: Spectralis had the highest number of images needing manual correction. All machines had high ICCs, with Spectralis having the highest. Also, Bland-Altman plots indicated that there was low agreement between Cirrus™ and Stratus™, Spectralis™ and Stratus™, while there was good agreement between the Cirrus™ and Spectralis™. The CORs were lowest for Spectralis (TM) and similar and higher for Cirrus (TM) and Stratus (TM). Agreement, CORs, and ICCs generally improved after manual correction, but only minimally. CONCLUSION: Agreement is low between devices, except between both SD-OCT machines. Manual correction tends to improve results

Impact of Zweymüller Stem Modification on Clinical and Radiological Outcomes

Background. According to the analysis of large arthroplasty registers we have noted the increase in the use of non-cemented implants, because the latter shows the same results of implant survival as well as cemented implants. On the other hand, they can affect the quality of the bone around the implant in different ways. These components differ in shape, length, and surface properties. According to the analysis of the arthroplasty register of the Vreden National Medical Research Center of Traumatology and Orthopedics, a significant decrease of the Alloclassic femoral stem using can be noted. In parallel the use of its SL-PLUS MIA modification has increased significantly. Aims of the study: 1) to determine the influence of changes in the design of the Zweymüller-type femoral stem on midterm and long-term outcomes and its survival; 2) to identify the characteristics of adaptive remodeling of periprosthetic bone tissue around these femoral stems; 3) to determine risk factors for aseptic loosening of these femoral stems. Methods. 492 cases of hip arthroplasty using the Alloclassic and SL-PLUS MIA femoral stems were observed, with an average follow-up 78.6 months. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to the type of femoral stem. The assessment the hip articulation condition was carried out using the HHS and OHS. The intensity of the pain syndrome was assessed by VAS, and the level of patient’s satisfaction. The dynamic analysis of X-rays was also performed visually. Results. A significant improvement in clinical and functional results was observed according to the HHS and OHS in both groups of patients, regardless of the type of femoral stem. Analysis of X-rays over time showed differences in the behavior of these two femoral component models. The radiolucent lines around the femoral stem are absent in SL-PLUS MIA group, in Alloclassic stem group radiolucent lines are present even at a minimal period (12 months). We also found that a tight fit of Zweymüller femoral stems in the distal shaft is a risk factor for severe stress-shielding syndrome, especially in the funnel channels. But ceteris paribus, a distal tight fit of SL-PLUS MIA stems despite similar geometry of the distal part does not lead to such frequent manifestation of severe stress shielding. Conclusion. The change in Zweymüller stem design from Alloclassic to SL-PLUS MIA improved the nature of adaptive remodeling in the periprosthetic area of the femur. It may improve the long-term results of primary hip arthroplasty, but these differences require closer observation

Mechanical and thermal properties of sugar palm fiber (Arenga pinnata)–reinforced phenolic composites

The aim of Chapter 7 is to investigate the mechanical and thermal performance of sugar palm fibers (SPF) reinforced with phenolic composites. SPF in powdered form (i.e., ≤150 μm) with five different fiber loadings ranging in volume from 0% to 40% was used to fabricate the composite samples with a hot press. Flexural, impact, and compressive properties of the composites were analyzed, while the thermal behavior was analyzed by means of thermogravimetric analysis. Scanning electron microscopy was used to examine the morphology of the fracture surface of the samples after impact testing. The results showed that an increase in the filler loadings of the SPFs in the phenolic composites improved the mechanical properties of the composites up to 30 vol%. Scanning electron microscopy images of the 30 vol% SPF composite displayed good fiber dispersion. Thermal degradation showed that the addition of SPF reduced the thermal stability of the composites. Consequently, SPF can be effectively used as an alternative natural fiber for reinforcing biocomposites, particularly in tribology applications

Factors Associated With Emergency Department Length of Stay for Patients With Hip Fracture

Time to surgery, which includes time in the emergency department (ED), is important for all patients with hip fracture. We hypothesized that patients with hip fracture spend significantly more time in the ED than do patients with the top 5 most common conditions. In addition, we hypothesized that there are patient, physician, and hospital factors that affect the length of time spent in the ED. We retrospectively reviewed our institution’s hip fracture database and identified 147 elderly patients with hip fractures who presented to our ED from December 18, 2005, through April 30, 2009. We reviewed their records for patient, practitioner, and hospital factors of interest associated with ED time and for 6 specified time intervals. Average working, boarding (waiting for an inpatient room), and total times were calculated and compared with respective averages for admitted ED patients with the top 5 most common conditions. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed before and after adjusting for confounders (significance, P = .05). The mean total ED time (7 hours and 25 minutes) and working time (4 hours and 31 minutes) for patients with hip fracture were similar to the respective overall averages for admitted ED patients. However, the average boarding time for patients with hip fracture was 2 hours 44 minutes, longer than that for other patients admitted through the ED. Factors significantly associated with longer ED times were a history of hypertension, history of atrial fibrillation, the number of computed tomography scans ordered, and the occupancy rate. Admission to the hip fracture service decreased working time but not overall time. Substantial multidisciplinary work among the ED, hospital admission services, and physicians is needed to dramatically decrease the boarding time and thus the overall time to surgery

Reliability and reproducibility of spectral and time domain optical coherence tomography images before and after correction for patients with age-related macular degeneration [v2; ref status: indexed, http://f1000r.es/50m]

Purpose: To evaluate the reproducibility and reliability of optical coherence tomography scans obtained using the time domain (TD-OCT) StratusTM OCT, and the Spectral Domain (SD-OCT) SpectralisTM and CirrusTM OCT devices before and after manual correction in eyes with either Neovascular (NV-AMD) or Non-Neovascular (NNV-AMD) age-related macular degeneration. Design: Prospective observational study. Methods: Setting: University-based retina practice. Patients: Thirty-six patients (50 eyes) with NV-AMD or NNV-AMD. Procedure: OCT scans were taken simultaneously using one TD-OCT and two SD-OCT devices. Main Outcome Measures: Macular thickness measurements were assessed before and after correction of the algorithm by constructing Bland-Altman plots for agreement and calculating intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and coefficients of repeatability (COR) to evaluate intraclass repeatability. Results: Spectralis had the highest number of images needing manual correction.  All machines had high ICCs, with Spectralis having the highest.  Also, Bland-Altman plots indicated that there was low agreement between Cirrus™ and Stratus™, Spectralis™ and Stratus™, while there was good agreement between the Cirrus™ and Spectralis™.  The CORs were lowest for SpectralisTM and similar and higher for CirrusTM and StratusTM.  Agreement, CORs, and ICCs generally improved after manual correction, but only minimally.  Conclusion: Agreement is low between devices, except between both SD-OCT machines.  Manual correction tends to improve results

Energy prices and seafood security

Fish resources are critical to the food security of many nations. Similar to most contemporary food systems, many fisheries and aquaculture resource supply chains are heavily dependent on fossil fuels. Energy price increases and volatility may hence undermine food security in some contexts. Here, we explore the relationships between energy price changes, fish resource supply chain viability, seafood availability and food security outcomes – both for producers and consumers of fish resources. We begin by characterizing the energy intensities of fish resource supply chains, which are shown to be highly variable. We subsequently assess the comparative magnitude and distribution of potential food security impacts of energy price increases for nation states by scoring and ranking countries against a set of vulnerability criteria including metrics of national exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity. Considerable variability in the vulnerability of populations and high levels of exposure for already food-insecure populations are apparent. Developed countries are likely to be most exposed to the effects of energy price increases due to their high rates of fleet motorization and preference for energy-intensive seafood products. However, heavy reliance on seafood as a source of food and income, as well as limited national adaptive capacity, translates into greater overall vulnerability in developing countries. At the level of individual producers, a variety of adaptation options are available that may serve to reduce vulnerability to energy price changes and hence contribute to increased food security for producers and consumers, but uptake capacity depends on numerous situational factors.JRC.G.4-Maritime affair

Spectral and time domain optical coherence tomography images before and after correction for patients with age-related macular degeneration

<p>ID: ID for each study eye</p> <p>Gender: 1 = Female; 2 = Male</p> <p>Study_Eye: 1=OD; 2=OS</p> <p>Diagnosis: Diagnosis of Non-neovascular AMD (NNV-AMD) or Neovascular AMD (NV-AMD)</p> <p>Diagnosis_Code: 1 = NV-AMD; 2= NNV-AMD</p> <p>Each subfield column is broken down into three parts. For example: (SP)[cs]{1}</p> <p>( ) -The machine the image was taken on: Sp = Spectralis; C = Cirrus; S = Stratus.</p> <p>[ ] -The subfield of the image based on the ETDRS grid. CS = Central 1mm; NS = Inner nasal; SS = Inner superior; TS = Inner temporal; IS = Inner inferior; N2S = Outer nasal; S2S = Outer superior; T2S = Outer temporal; I2S = Outer inferior.</p> <p>{ } – The image number. 1 and 2 represents either the first or the second image before correction. 3 and 4 are the same images after manual correction, respectively.</p