Interpretation of 25-OH-D3, NEFA, and calcium correlations among cow and calf pairs

In the present study, the aim was to determine alteration of NEFA, calcium and vitamin D3 levels in cow and calf pairs at parturition as well as correlation between each parameter levels. For this purpose, a cow-side device employing the enzymatic colorimetric method was used for measurement of NEFA and calcium levels. On the other hand, serum 25(OH)D3 analysis was performed using the fluorescence immunochromatographic method at the laboratory in the Faculty. Blood samples were taken from Vena jugularis of 15 Simmental cow and calf pairs immediately after parturition and placed in serum and heparinized tubes. In cow and calf pairs, concentration of vitamin D3 (15.6-120 and 31.8-120 ng/mL, respectively), NEFA (0.12-1.2 and 0.09-0.8 mmol/L, respectively) and calcium (1.8 ± 0.9 and 2.2 ± 0.6 mmol/L, respectively) were determined. There was no significant correlation between NEFA, Ca, and vitamin D3 in cows and calf pairs. Taking into account several co-factors that influenced test results, which could not easily be excluded, further studies may be warranted with larger cow-calf pair populations. In conclusion, vitamin D3 concentration in calves is not affected by the negative energy balance of dams in the parturition period.

Analysis of the Operating Costs of Passenger Cars Declared by Vehicles' Manufacturers and Obtained by Users

Every year, there are more and more cars on the roads that cause pollution. To reduce it, conventional vehicles have started to be replaced by electric and hybrid vehicles. Therefore, the average fuel/energy consumption of electric, hybrid, spark ignition and self-ignition vehicles over a test distance of 100 km was investigated. The test results were then compared to the manufacturer's data and the average difference between the manufacturer's data and the test data is shown. The largest average difference in fuel consumption between the manufacturer's data and the test data was observed for hybrid vehicles (over 230 %) and the smallest for electric vehicles (less than 10 %) and spark ignition vehicles (almost 18 %). Considering costs, the largest difference between manufacturer's data and test data is observed, as in the previous case, in electric vehicles (0.25 €) and the largest in hybrid vehicles (almost 6 € per 100 kilometers driven).

Effectiveness of surgical management of malignant glaucoma in phakic eyes

AIM: To assess the effectiveness of core vitrectomy-phacoemulsification-intraocular lens (IOL) implantation-capsulo-hyaloidotomy in treating phakic eye at least 1mo after the onset of malignant glaucoma. METHODS: A retrospective analysis were performed on malignant glaucoma patients treated in Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center between 2016 and 2018. Demographic and clinical data were described. The preoperative and postoperative visual acuity (VA), intraocular pressure (IOP), number of IOP-lowering medications used, and anterior chamber depth (ACD) of the case series were compared by Wilcoxon signed-rank test. RESULTS: Thirteen phakic eyes with long time intervals between onset and surgery were identified in this case series. Core vitrectomy-phacoemulsification-IOL implantation-capsulo-hyaloidotomy reduced the IOP (P=0.046) and the number of IOP-lowering medications used (P=0.004), deepened the ACD (P=0.005). Complete success was achieved in 38.5% of the eyes, and anatomical success was achieved in 100% of the eyes without any recurrence. The only postoperative complication observed is corneal endothelial decompensation. It occurred in two cases. CONCLUSION: Core vitrectomy-phacoemulsification-IOL implantation-capsulo-hyaloidotomy is safe and effective for treatment of long onset phakic malignant glaucoma.

Efficacy of long-term orthokeratology treatment in children with anisometropic myopia

AIM: To explore the efficacy of the orthokeratology lens for anisometropic myopia progression. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed. Cycloplegic refraction and axial length (AL) were collected from 50 children (10.52±1.72y) who visited Peking University Third Hospital from July 2015 to August 2020. These children's one eyes (Group A) received monocular orthokeratology lenses at first, after different durations (12.20±6.94mo), their contralateral eyes (Group B) developed myopia and receive orthokeratology as well. The data in 1-year of binocular period were recorded. AL growth rate (difference of follow-up and baseline per month) were compared between two groups by paired t test. Interocular differences of AL were compared by Wilcoxon test. RESULTS: During monocular period, the AL growth rate of the Group A (0.008±0.022 mm/mo) was significantly slower than that of the Group B (0.038±0.018 mm/mo; P<0.0001). However, during binocular period, the AL growth rate of the Group A (0.026±0.014 mm/mo) was significantly faster than that of the Group B (0.016±0.015 mm/mo; P<0.0001). The AL difference between both eyes was 0.6 (0.46) mm, then significantly decreased to 0.22 (0.39) mm when started binocular treatment (P<0.0001). However, it was significantly increased to 0.30 (0.32) mm after a year (P<0.0001), but still significantly lower than baseline (P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: The orthokeratology lens is efficient for control the AL elongation of monocular myopia eyes and reduce anisometropia. For the condition that the contralateral eyes develop myopia and receive orthokeratology lens later, there is no efficiency observed on control interocular difference of AL during binocular treatment.

Screening for Stereopsis Using an Eye-Tracking Glasses-Free Display in Adults: A Pilot Study

Purpose:To explore the feasibility and repeatability of a novel glasses-free display combined with random-dot stimulus and eye-tracking technology for screening stereopsis in adults.Methods:A total of 74 patients aged 18–44 years were recruited in this study (male: female, 32:42), including 33 patients with high myopia [≤ -6.0 diopters (D)] and 41 patients with moderate-to-low myopia (>-6.0 D). Stereopsis was measured using glasses-free, polarized, and Titmus stereotests. All patients completed a visual fatigue questionnaire after the polarized stereotest and glasses-free test. Kendall's W and Cohen's Kappa tests were used to evaluate repeatability and consistency of the glasses-free stereotest.Results:The stereotest results using the glasses-free monitor showed strong repeatability in the three consecutive tests (W = 0.968, P < 0.01) and good consistency with the polarized stereotest and Titmus test results (vs. polarization: Kappa = 0.910, P < 0.001; vs. Titmus: Kappa = 0.493, P < 0.001). Stereopsis levels of the high myopia group were significantly poorer than those of the moderate-to-low myopia group in three stereotest monitors (all P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in visual fatigue level between the polarized and the glasses-free display test (P = 0.72). Compared with the polarized test, 56.76% of patients preferred the glasses-free display and found it more comfortable, 20.27% reported both tests to be acceptable.Conclusions:In our adult patients, the new eye-tracking glasses-free display system feasibly screened stereopsis with good repeatability, consistency, and patient acceptance.

Decreased Balance Function in School-Aged Children with Behavioral Problems

Children with behavioral problems have a high risk of impaired motor performance. However, the characteristics of balance functions and their associations with behavioral traits are unclear in this population. This study aimed to evaluate balance functions and their relationships with the degree of behavioral problems in school-aged children. A total of 209 children, aged 6–10 years, were divided into two groups, those with and those without behavioral problems, using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Physical assessments included the one-leg standing test (OLST), the two-step test, and the five-times-sit-to-stand test. We compared the data between groups and assessed for correlations in terms of total difficulties and the SDQ subscale scores. Children with behavioral problems showed significantly reduced the OLST results (p < 0.001) and the two-step test results (p = 0.008). The five-times-sit-to-stand test results did not show significant differences between groups. The OLST results were significantly correlated with emotional symptoms (r = −0.22, p < 0.001), hyperactivity/inattention (r = −0.29, p < 0.001), peer relationship problems (r = −0.22, p < 0.001), and total difficulties (r = −0.32, p < 0.001). Meanwhile, the two-step test results showed no significant correlation with the SDQ scores. Children with behavioral problems have poor balance function, thereby increasing the risk for instability. This suggests that the balance function of children with behavioral problems needs to be considered.

Pengaruh Profitabilitas, Likuiditas, Leverage, dan Ukuran Perusahaan terhadap Kebijakan Dividen

This study is intended to determine the effect of the independent variable (X), namely: Profitability, Liquidity, Leverage, and Company Size on Dividend Policy in the study of companies in the Consumer Goods Industry sector. The research method in this test uses quantitative descriptive and the data used is secondary data from official sources. The population in this study were all companies in the Consumer Goods Industry sector, totaling 60 companies. The sampling technique in this study was using purposive sampling by taking into account certain conditions that had been agreed upon so that the authors decided to use 10 companies as samples in this test. The data obtained with the observation time of 5 years is 50 data. The source of data in this study is secondary data. Test the quality of the data using Descriptive Analysis Techniques, Classical Assumption Test, and Multiple Linear Analysis. The data analysis technique in this test uses the t statistic test, f statistic test, and the coefficient of determination (Adjust R2). The partial test results in this test show that profitability and liquidity have a positive effect on Dividend Policy, while Leverage and Firm Size have a negative effect on Dividend Policy. Simultaneous test results show that the free factors of Profitability, Liquidity, Leverage, and Company Size also have a positive and significant effect on Dividend Policy in the Consumer Goods Industry sector on the IDX for the 2016-2020 period. Keywords: Profitability, Liquidity, Leverage, Firm Size, Dividend Policy

Realistic Mathematics Education's Effect on Students' Performance and Attitudes: A Case of Ellipse Topics Learning

<p style="text-align: justify;">Realistic Mathematics Education (RME) has gained popularity worldwide to teach mathematics using real-world problems. This study investigates the effectiveness of elliptic topics taught to 10th graders in a Vietnamese high school and students' attitudes toward learning. The RME model was used to guide 45 students in an experimental class, while the conventional model was applied to instruct 42 students in the control class. Data collection methods included observation, pre-test, post-test, and a student opinion survey. The experimental results confirm the test results, and the experimental class's learning outcomes were significantly higher than that of the control class's students. Besides, student participation in learning activities and attitudes toward learning were significantly higher in the RME model class than in the control class. Students will construct their mathematical knowledge based on real-life situations. The organization of teaching according to RME is not only a new method of teaching but innovation in thinking about teaching mathematics.</p>

An Improved Modification of Accelerated Double Direction and Double Step-Size Optimization Schemes

We propose an improved variant of the accelerated gradient optimization models for solving unconstrained minimization problems. Merging the positive features of either double direction, as well as double step size accelerated gradient models, we define an iterative method of a simpler form which is generally more effective. Performed convergence analysis shows that the defined iterative method is at least linearly convergent for uniformly convex and strictly convex functions. Numerical test results confirm the efficiency of the developed model regarding the CPU time, the number of iterations and the number of function evaluations metrics.

Methodology for Assessing the Transport Accessibility of Capital Objects in a Megacity Based on Geoinformation Data

Purpose: to present the author's methodology and the test results for calculating integral indicators of transport accessibility on the basis of weighted normalized private indicators for three housing estates in Moscow.Methods: the study is based on the application of methods for collecting factual material, its processing, systematic, comparative historical and structural-functional analysis, which were supplemented by multivariate analysis of secondary information using content analysis of existing methods for calculating indicators of transport accessibility of capital objects. The results and conclusions of the research are based on the use of the author's methodology for calculating integral indicators of transport accessibility based on weighted normalized private indicators for three housing estates in Moscow. The analysis of a possible set of criteria for assessing transport accessibility of housing estates in Moscow metropolis was carried out on the basis of the use of a geographic information system database GIS NextGIS QGIS.Results: a review of methodological approaches to the calculation of objective quantitative indicators characterizing the transport accessibility of capital objects is carried out; the author's methodology for calculating the integral indicators of the transport accessibility of residential complexes in Moscow is presented and tested on the basis of weighted normalized private criteria / indicators. The use of the authors’ methodology for calculating integral indicators of transport accessibility based on weighted normalized private criteria / indicators made it possible to calculate the values of indicators of transport accessibility for three housing estates in Moscow, calculate an integrated score for a set of transport accessibility criteria for each housing estate, to give a comparative quantitative assessment of their transport accessibility, to conduct a rating of housing estates in terms of their transport accessibility.Conclusions and Relevance: the presented results of approbation of the author's methodology for calculating the integral indicators of transport accessibility for housing estates in Moscow allow to conduct a comparative and dynamic analysis of housing estates (or larger units) transport accessibility. The results of such an analysis can be applied in order to develop programs for transport infrastructure development of the megacity as a whole, its certain districts and city parts, as well as to assess such programs efciency. The authors see the directions for future research in the defnition and calculation of indicators based on the city dwellers perception of the transport accessibility