Detection of Subclinical Keratoconus Using a Novel Combined Tomographic and Biomechanical Model Based on an Automated Decision Tree

The aim of this study was to develop a predictive model for subclinical keratoconus (SKC) based on decision tree (DT) algorithms. A total of 194 eyes (including 105 normal eyes and 89 SKC) were included in the double-center retrospective study. Data were separately used for training and validation databases. The baseline variables were derived from tomography and biomechanical imaging. DT models were generated in the training database using Chi-square automatic interaction detection (CHAID) and classification and regression tree (CART) algorithms. The discriminating rules of the CART model selected variables of the Belin/Ambrósio deviation (BAD-D), stiffness parameter at first applanation (SPA1), back eccentricity (Becc), and maximum pachymetric progression index in order, while the CHAID model selected BAD-D, deformation amplitude ratio, SPA1, and Becc. The CART model allowed discrimination between normal and SKC eyes with 92.2% accuracy, which was higher than that of the CHAID model (88.3%), BAD-D (82.0%), Corvis biomechanical index (CBI, 77.3%), and tomographic and biomechanical index (TBI, 78.1%). The discriminating performance of the CART model was validated with 92.4% accuracy, while the CHAID model was validated with 86.4% accuracy in the validation database. Thus, the CART model using tomography and biomechanical imaging was an excellent model for SKC screening and provided easy-to-understand discriminating rules.

Sensitivity Study of the Influence of Blade Sectional Stiffness Parameters on the Aeroelastic Response of Wind Turbines

With the development of wind turbines as a result of large-scale and offshore trends, the wind turbine size is becoming increasingly larger. The passive control technique is used to alleviate the increasing loads on the blade for the sake of improving the durability of the wind turbine. The ply design of shells considering the coupling effect of bending and torsion is one of the passive control techniques. The bending torsion coupling stiffness is one of the parameters of the blade section stiffness matrix. In order to fully understand the influence of each blade stiffness parameter on the aeroelastic responses of wind turbines and to consider the influence of structural characteristics on the aeroelastic responses in blade design, the influences and sensitivity of each stiffness parameter in the 6 × 6 stiffness matrix of the blade sections on the aeroelastic responses of the wind turbines are systematically studied under steady wind condition. The aerodynamic forces in the aeroelastic model are calculated by an AeroDyn module based on blade element momentum theory, and the structural dynamic responses of the blade are calculated using generalized Timoshenko beam theory and geometric exact beam theory. The NREL baseline 5 MW wind turbine and blade properties are used in this study, where the diagonal stiffness parameters and non-diagonal stiffness parameters of the matrixes of each blade section are scaled according to certain principles. The results show that the axial stiffness, the flap-wise stiffness, and the torsional stiffness in the diagonal are sensitive to the root loads and tip displacement of the blade. The flap-wise bending torsion coupling stiffness, the flap-wise shear-torsion coupling stiffness, and the edge-wise shear-torsion coupling stiffness in the non-diagonal are also sensitive to the aeroelastic responses. For completeness, the effects of other stiffness parameters on the aeroelastic responses are also analyzed and discussed.

Non-invasive Clinical Measurement of Ocular Rigidity and Comparison to Biomechanical and Morphological Parameters in Glaucomatous and Healthy Subjects

Purpose: To assess ocular rigidity using dynamic optical coherence tomography (OCT) videos in glaucomatous and healthy subjects, and to evaluate how ocular rigidity correlates with biomechanical and morphological characteristics of the human eye.Methods: Ocular rigidity was calculated using Friedenwald's empirical equation which estimates the change in intraocular pressure (IOP) produced by volumetric changes of the eye due to choroidal pulsations with each heartbeat. High-speed OCT video was utilized to non-invasively measure changes in choroidal volume through time-series analysis. A control-case study design was based on 23 healthy controls and 6 glaucoma cases. Multiple diagnostic modalities were performed during the same visit including Spectralis OCT for nerve head video, Pascal Dynamic Contour Tonometry for IOP and ocular pulse amplitude (OPA) measurement, Corvis ST for measuring dynamic biomechanical response, and Pentacam for morphological characterization.Results: Combining glaucoma and healthy cohorts (n = 29), there were negative correlations between ocular rigidity and axial length (Pearson R = −0.53, p = 0.003), and between ocular rigidity and anterior chamber volume (R = −0.64, p = 0.0002). There was a stronger positive correlation of ocular rigidity and scleral stiffness (i.e., stiffness parameter at the highest concavity [SP-HC]) (R = 0.62, p = 0.0005) compared to ocular rigidity and corneal stiffness (i.e., stiffness parameter at the first applanation [SP-A1]) (R = 0.41, p = 0.033). In addition, there was a positive correlation between ocular rigidity and the static pressure-volume ratio (P/V ratio) (R = 0.72, p < 0.0001).Conclusions: Ocular rigidity was non-invasively assessed using OCT video and OPA in a clinic setting. The significant correlation of ocular rigidity with biomechanical parameters, SP-HC and P/V ratio, demonstrated the validity of the ocular rigidity measurement. Ocular rigidity is driven to a greater extent by scleral stiffness than corneal stiffness. These in vivo methods offer an important approach to investigate the role of ocular biomechanics in glaucoma.

Performance of the combined hydropneumatic isolations on improving vibration of vibratory roller cab: Experiment and simulation

This study, based on preeminent characteristics of both the pneumatic and hydraulic isolations, combined hydropneumatic isolations (CHPIs), is proposed for improving the cab ride quality of the vibratory rollers in low-frequency domain. A 3D dynamic model and mathematical model of the cab isolations and the vibratory rollers are established to simulate CHPI’s characteristics under the excitations of the off-road terrain and vibratory drum at 28 Hz and 35 Hz. To enhance the reliability of research results, vehicle’s mathematical models are also verified via the experimental investigation. The effectiveness of CHPIs on ameliorating the cab’s ride quality is then analyzed via two indicators of the power spectral density (PSD) acceleration on the frequency region and root-mean-square (RMS) acceleration on the time domain of the cab and operator seat. It is found that with the combination of the high-elastic stiffness parameter and high nonlinear damping coefficient of CHPIs using for the vehicle’s cab isolations, the results of the cab’s ride quality are greatly improved compared with other cab isolations in the well-known existing works.

Accuracy of new Corvis ST parameters for detecting subclinical and clinical keratoconus eyes in a Chinese population

This study aimed to compare the values of new corneal visualization Scheimpflug technology (Corvis ST) parameters in normal, subclinical keratoconus (SKC) and keratoconus (KC) eyes, and evaluate the diagnostic ability to distinguish SKC and KC eyes from normal eyes. One-hundred normal, 100 SKC and 100 KC eyes were included in the study. Corvis ST parameters containing dynamic corneal response parameters were measured by one ophthalmologist. The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic ability of new Corvis ST parameters. The new Corvis ST parameters in KC eyes were different from those in the control and SKC eyes after adjusting for IOP and CCT, and stiffness parameter at the first applanation (SP-A1) and Corvis biomechanical index (CBI) were significantly different between the control and SKC eyes (all P < 0.05). The parameter with the highest diagnostic efficiency was SP-A1 (Youden index = 0.40, AUC = 0.753), followed by CBI (Youden index = 0.38, AUC = 0.703), and Integrated Radius (Youden index = 0.33, AUC = 0.668) in diagnosing SKC from control eyes. New Corvis ST parameters in SKC eyes were significantly different from normal control and KC eyes, and could be considered to distinguish SKC and KC eyes from normal eyes.

Reflected wave intensity increases based on aortic diameter after endovascular aortic therapy in a goat model

Reflected wave increases after endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) in patients with aortic aneurysm. This affects the left ventricular (LV) diastolic function and leads to a poor prognosis. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between increased reflected wave amplitude and aortic diameter after EVAR. EVAR was performed in seven healthy goats. We assessed wave intensity (WI), aortic diameter, and stiffness parameter β. Moreover, we evaluated the relationship between negative reflected wave (NW, reflected waves toward the heart from the periphery by WI) and other parameters after EVAR. Results showed an increase in stiffness parameter β (3.5 ± 0.3 vs 15.9 ± 4.7, p = 0.018) and a decrease in the change of aortic diameter (6.9 ± 0.7 vs 2.7 ± 0.4%, p = 0.018) after EVAR. The NW was significantly amplified after EVAR from baseline (−589.8 ± 143.4 to − 1192.3 ± 303.7 mmHg-m/sec3, p = 0.043). The NW showed a significant correlation with maximum aortic diameter (R = 0.707, p = 0.038) and minimum aortic diameter (R = 0.724, p = 0.033). The reflected wave was enhanced after EVAR and was correlated to the aortic diameter at the stent-graft site. It is important to consider that patients with smaller aortic diameters in landing zone who undergo EVAR may develop LV dysfunction.

Relationship between corneal biomechanical parameters and corneal sublayer thickness measured by Corvis ST and UHR-OCT in keratoconus and normal eyes

Background To explore the relationship between corneal biomechanical parameters and corneal sublayer thickness using corneal visualization Scheimpflug technology (Corvis ST) and ultrahigh-resolution optical coherence tomography (UHR-OCT) in clinical and suspected keratoconus and normal eyes. Methods Cross-sectional prospective study. A total of 94 eyes of 70 participants were recruited. Twenty five eyes of 19 keratoconus patients, 52 eyes of 34 patients showing high risk of developing keratoconus according to the Belin/Ambrosio Enhanced Ectasia Display, and each eye of 17 normal subjects were enrolled. All participants underwent Corvis ST, Pentacam, and UHR-OCT examinations at the same time. Stiffness parameter A1 (SP-A1), deformation amplitude ratio (DA ratio), and other biomechanical parameters were recorded using Corvis ST. The vertical and horizontal thickness profiles of central 3 mm corneal epithelium, Bowman’s layer, and stroma as measured by the perpendicular distance between the neighboring interfaces were generated using UHR-OCT. The flat keratometry and steep keratometry were obtained using Pentacam. Analysis of correlation was applied to explore the association between variables. Results Most of the biomechanical parameters and corneal sublayer thickness profiles showed statistical differences among three groups. A statistically significant linear relationship was noted between SP-A1 and DA ratio in all three groups. SP-A1 was found to be positively correlated with epithelial and Bowman’s layer thickness in the keratoconus (KC) group, and with stromal thickness in all three groups. In the normal and suspected keratoconus (SKC) groups, only stromal thickness was included in the stepwise linear regression to predict SP-A1, whereas in the KC group, steep keratometry and Bowman’s layer thickness were included. Conclusions Significant and different correlations were noted between corneal stiffness and corneal sublayer thickness in different groups, indicating that corneal sublayers may play different roles in maintaining corneal biomechanical stability between keratoconus and normal eyes.