CONTRIBUTION OF EMPIRICAL METHODS AND SATELLITE DATA USE FOR ESTIMATING DAILY REFERENCE EVAPOTRANSPIRATION

Στην παρούσα εργασία χρησιμοποιούνται επίγεια και δορυφορικά μετεωρολογικά δεδομένα του έτους 2014 από την περιοχή της Βοιωτίας. Τα επίγεια δεδομένα προέρχονται από τον αυτόματο αγρομετεωρολογικό σταθμό (ΑΑΣ) μέτρησης της εξατμισοδιαπνοής αναφοράς (ΕΤο) του Γεωπονικού Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών (ΓΠΑ). Τα μετεωρολογικά δορυφορικά δεδομένα (SAT) αντιστοιχούν σε πολύγωνο 0.25οΧ0.25ο εντός του οποίου λειτουργεί και ο ΑΑΣ. Χρησιμοποιώντας τα επίγεια αλλά και τα δορυφορικά δεδομένα, υπολογίσθηκε η ΕΤο με τη μέθοδο FAO-56 PM, αλλά και με τρεις εμπειρικές μεθόδους (Copais, Valiantzas και Hargreaves-Samani) και πραγματοποιήθηκαν συγκρίσεις με σκοπό να αξιολογηθεί η αξιοπιστία των μοντέλων. Ως βάση των συγκρίσεων υιοθετήθηκε η μέθοδος FAO-56 PM με χρήση επίγειων δεδομένων. Από την εργασία προκύπτει ότι τόσο για τα επίγεια όσο και για τα δορυφορικά δεδομένα η μέθοδος Copais δίνει τις καλύτερες εκτιμήσεις ακολουθούμενη από την μέθοδο Valiantzas και με σοβαρή υπερεκτίμηση η Hargreaves-Samani. In the present study we used ground and satellite meteorological data of the year 2014 from the region of Viotia-Greece. The ground data were obtained from the automatic grass reference evapotranspiration station (AAS) of the Agricultural University of Athens. The satellite data (SAT) cover an area of 0,25ο x 0,25ο that includes the AAS. By using the ground and the satellite data we calculated the reference evapotranspiration, ΕΤο, with the method FAO-56 PM and with three empirical methods (Copais, Valiantzas and Hargreaves-Samani). The FAO-56 PM was used as a benchmark method to compare and validate the performances of the others methods. The results show that for both the ground and the satellite data, Copais method is the most accurate followed by Valiantzas and Hargreaves-Samani, indicated by serious overestimation

Presurgical planning in implant restorations: Correct interpretation of cone-beam computed tomography for improved imaging

Contemporary implant dentistry is a primarily prosthetically driven treatment. The implant position is defined during the diagnostic phase, and the radiographic guide (template) indicates accurately the area of concern on the cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). CBCT is an essential diagnostic key to a successful treatment plan in many cases. The aim of this paper was to underline the importance of proper alignment of the scanning levels in CBCT in order to avoid distorted cross-sectional images. As demonstrated with two clinical cases in this preliminary study, the initial scanning images of the CBCT must be drawn parallel to the occlusal plane, as defined by the diagnostic wax-up of the final restoration. The radiographic template offers valuable information about the planned location and inclination of the implant and the restoration. Proper image reconstruction following the dental scan can contribute significantly to accurate cross-sectional images and detailed presurgical planning. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE CBCT is important for presurgical planning in many implant cases. Although the precision of computer tomography in dentistry has been documented in experimental studies, the influence of the inclination of the scanning level to the accuracy of the cross-sectional images has not been clearly shown. Using the occlusal plane as a reference point can result in more accurate cross-sectional images. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

Real-world comparison of the new 34 mm self-expandable transcatheter aortic prosthesis Evolut R to its 31 mm core valve predecessor

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to compare the incidence of periprocedural complications and short-term outcomes between the second-generation recapturable 34 mm Evolut-R and its first-generation 31 mm predecessor. Background: Although already in extensive clinical use in real world patients, the periprocedural complications and clinical outcomes of the new 34 mm device have not been investigated yet. Methods: Consecutive patients who had undergone transcatheter aortic valve implantation in two centers with either a 31 mm CoreValve or a 34 mm Evolut-R device were retrospectively studied. Periprocedural complications of malpositioning, valve-in-valve implantation, conversion to full sternotomy or percutaneous coronary intervention and vascular complications were compared between the two groups. Short-term outcomes at discharge were compared using Valve Academic Research Consortium (VARC-2) criteria. Results: The study group included 106 patients (35 Evolut-R 34 mm; 71 CoreValve 31 mm). Significantly lower rates of valve-in-valve implantation were demonstrated for the 34 mm group compared to the first-generation device (0% vs. 11.9%, respectively, P = 0.036). All other periprocedural complications were similar between groups. At discharge, the rates of new pacemaker implantation (5.7% vs. 26.8%, P = 0.037) and bleeding complications (2.9% vs. 19.6%, P = 0.025) were statistically significantly lower among the 34 mm group. With regards to VARC-2 defined combined endpoints, rates of early safety were significantly improved among the 34 mm group compared to 31 mm group (0% vs. 27.9%, respectively, P = 0.004). Conclusions: The recently introduced 34 mm Evolut-R seems to demonstrate an improved safety profile, as evidenced by the reduced bleeding rates, lower rates of valve-in-valve implantation and lower PPM rates compared to its 31 mm predecessor. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

The comprehensiveness of the ESHRE/ESGE classification of female genital tract congenital anomalies: a systematic review of cases not classified by the AFS system.

STUDY QUESTION How comprehensive is the recently published European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE)/European Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy (ESGE) classification system of female genital anomalies? SUMMARY ANSWER The ESHRE/ESGE classification provides a comprehensive description and categorization of almost all of the currently known anomalies that could not be classified properly with the American Fertility Society (AFS) system. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Until now, the more accepted classification system, namely that of the AFS, is associated with serious limitations in effective categorization of female genital anomalies. Many cases published in the literature could not be properly classified using the AFS system, yet a clear and accurate classification is a prerequisite for treatment. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE AND DURATION The CONUTA (CONgenital UTerine Anomalies) ESHRE/ESGE group conducted a systematic review of the literature to examine if those types of anomalies that could not be properly classified with the AFS system could be effectively classified with the use of the new ESHRE/ESGE system. An electronic literature search through Medline, Embase and Cochrane library was carried out from January 1988 to January 2014. Three participants independently screened, selected articles of potential interest and finally extracted data from all the included studies. Any disagreement was discussed and resolved after consultation with a fourth reviewer and the results were assessed independently and approved by all members of the CONUTA group. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Among the 143 articles assessed in detail, 120 were finally selected reporting 140 cases that could not properly fit into a specific class of the AFS system. Those 140 cases were clustered in 39 different types of anomalies. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE The congenital anomaly involved a single organ in 12 (30.8%) out of the 39 types of anomalies, while multiple organs and/or segments of Müllerian ducts (complex anomaly) were involved in 27 (69.2%) types. Uterus was the organ most frequently involved (30/39: 76.9%), followed by cervix (26/39: 66.7%) and vagina (23/39: 59%). In all 39 types, the ESHRE/ESGE classification system provided a comprehensive description of each single or complex anomaly. A precise categorization was reached in 38 out of 39 types studied. Only one case of a bizarre uterine anomaly, with no clear embryological defect, could not be categorized and thus was placed in Class 6 (un-classified) of the ESHRE/ESGE system. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION The review of the literature was thorough but we cannot rule out the possibility that other defects exist which will also require testing in the new ESHRE/ESGE system. These anomalies, however, must be rare. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS The comprehensiveness of the ESHRE/ESGE classification adds objective scientific validity to its use. This may, therefore, promote its further dissemination and acceptance, which will have a positive outcome in clinical care and research. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS None