Visual field changes in glaucoma patients after blepharoptosis surgery

Purpose To examine changes in parameters of the visual field test before and after blepharoptosis surgery in patients with glaucoma. Methods Twenty-three eyes of 14 glaucoma patients who underwent blepharoptosis surgery at Toyama University Hospital between July 2015 and September 2020 were included in this study. Pre- and post-operative values for the mean deviation (MD), pattern standard deviation (PSD) and total deviation (TD) of the upper or lower hemi-visual field in the Humphrey visual field test, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), and margin reflex distance (MRD)-1 were compared. Results MRD-1 showed a significant improvement after blepharoptosis surgery (preoperative MRD-1: 1.0 ± 0.82 mm, postoperative MRD-1: 3.26 ± 0.66 mm, p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in BCVA, IOP, MD and PSD values before and after surgery. On the other hand, there was a significant improvement in the superior TD (preoperative: −11.29 ± 6.57 dB, postoperative: −9.88 ± 7.31 dB, p = 0.044) although no significant difference was detected in the inferior TD postoperatively. The preoperative parameters of 2 groups (improvement and non-improvement groups of postoperative superior TD) were compared. Preoperative MD and superior TD were significantly lower in the improvement group (p = 0.03, p = 0.004, respectively), although there was no significant difference in preoperative PSD and inferior TD between the two groups. Conclusion In glaucoma patients, blepharoptosis may interfere with accurate visual field assessment, especially of superior TD.

Preliminary Model-Based Evaluation of Water Conservation Strategies in a Semi-Arid Urban Zone

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency stormwater management model was applied to a semi-arid urban micro watershed. The sub-catchment’s current features were modeled as scenario A, while the insertion of a set of LID technologies (rain barrels, bioretention cells, permeable pavement, and infiltration trenches) was represented as scenario B. A third scenario (C), considering only the most feasible LID technologies, was also modeled. All the scenarios were evaluated under two representative storm events (30 and 9 mm in two consecutive days, and 39 mm of rainfall in one day) occurred during the sampling performed in this study. Water quality was also simulated for a 30-mm storm event and compared against field assessment results after a real 30-mm storm event. Through the model, the inefficiency of current evacuation methods after 30- and 39-mm storm events was demonstrated. Simulation of scenario B showed that LID technologies could satisfactorily diminish peak flows generated by the selected storm events as well as runoff-conveyed pollution, while the realistic scenario allowed a lower but satisfactory hydrological performance and almost the same runoff quality than scenario B. This preliminary study could contribute to spread awareness about the benefits of LID technologies in semi-arid urban areas of the developing world.

Study of Ethnoveterinary Medicinal Plants Used by Pastoralists in Northern Gombe State, Nigeria

Ethnoveterinary is the total of all practices that enable man to prevent his livestock from diseases, alleviate and relieve suffering to bring about healing, and increase the production and productivity of livestock within a minimum cost. Overutilization, overexploitation, deforestation for fuelwood, and farmland expansion expose some of the plants to threaten. The study was carried out in three randomly selected districts in Northern Gombe State, Nigeria. Among all, 80% of the respondents are male among which 56% are 35 years and above. 43 plants were reported used as ethnoveterinary plants in the area (oral interview) among which only 28 were found to be present in the field (field assessment). Guiera senegalensis is the most abundant plant (7.85%) followed by Piliostigma reticulatum (7.23%), Combretum collinum and Detarium microcarpum (3.00% both). Fabaceae is the most abundant family (30.85%) of the identified plants followed by Combretaceae (15.25%). Plant bark is the most common part used in curing and preventing animals from diseases which subject some of the plants (Burkia africana) to nearly endangered states. 28 plant samples were collected, identified, pressed, and laid in Botany Department Herbarium, Gombe State University, among these, 2 plant samples were not successfully identified. It is recommended that regulatory bodies should be empowered to check the uncontrolled deforestation occurring in the area

Estimation of genetic erosion on Ethiopian tetraploid wheat landraces using different approaches

The demand and use of improved crop varieties by farmers has increased in the central highlands of Ethiopia, where continuous loss of local traditional varieties has been occurring in the last two to three decades. The objectives of the study were to assess the extent of genetic erosion and perception of farmers and associated causes for the reduction of traditional farmers' varieties. Direct field assessment covering 56 wheat farms and a survey in which 149 farmers participated were carried out in three districts of central Ethiopia. Based on data collected during direct farm assessment, the loss of genotypes was found to be 88% in Ada followed by 80% and 60% in Lume and Gimbichu districts, respectively. The farmer survey indicated an even greater loss of diversity of100% in Ada followed by Lume (93%) and Gimbichu (67%). Diseases and pests as well as shorter growing seasons associated with climate change were identified as main causes for farmers to switch to modern varieties. The expansion of high yielding improved bread and durum wheat varieties also contributed to gradually replace local durum wheat varieties by local farmers of these districts. Overall, genetic erosion of tetraploid wheat varied among the three districts of central Ethiopia. Reductions in the number of farmers and area coverage in the study districts could be used as good indicators for the existence of genetic erosion.

Field Assessment of Camera Based Drilling Dynamics

Surface data measurement and analysis are an established mean of detecting drillstring low-frequency torsional vibration or stick-slip. The industry has also developed models that link surface torque and downhole drill bit rotational speed. Cameras provide an alternative noninvasive approach to existing wired/wireless sensors used to gather such surface data. The results of a preliminary field assessment of drilling dynamics utilizing camera-based drillstring monitoring are presented in this work. Detection and timing of events from the video are performed using computer vision techniques and object detection algorithms. A real-time interest point tracker utilizing homography estimation and sparse optical flow point tracking is deployed. We use a fully convolutional deep neural network trained to detect interest points and compute their accompanying descriptors. The detected points and descriptors are matched across video sequences and used for drillstring rotation detection and speed estimation. When the drillstring's vibration is invisible to the naked eye, the point tracking algorithm is preceded with a motion amplification function based on another deep convolutional neural network. We have clearly demonstrated the potential of camera-based noninvasive approaches to surface drillstring dynamics data acquisition and analysis. Through the application of real-time object detection algorithms on rig video feed, surface events were detected and timed. We were also able to estimate drillstring rotary speed and motion profile. Torsional drillstring modes can be identified and correlated with drilling parameters and bottomhole assembly design. A novel vibration array sensing approach based on a multi-point tracking algorithm is also proposed. A vibration threshold setting was utilized to enable an additional motion amplification function providing seamless assessment for multi-scale vibration measurement. Cameras were typically devices to acquire images/videos for offline automated assessment (recently) or online manual monitoring (mainly), this work has shown how fog/edge computing makes it possible for these cameras to be "conscious" and "intelligent," hence play a critical role in automation/digitalization of drilling rigs. We showcase their preliminary application as drilling dynamics and rig operations sensors in this work. Cameras are an ideal sensor for a drilling environment since they can be installed anywhere on a rig to perform large-scale live video analytics on drilling processes.

Maximizing Condensate Recovery With Proven Cost Simulation for a Giant UAE Field: Base Study to Estimate Productivity between Horizontal and Vertical Wells

Implementing the horizontalization scheme was developed for number of wells in order to increase the Gas and Condensate production, which will achieve sustainable and profitable Gas Supply. It worth to highlight that most of these wells are being subjected to N2 and lean gas breakthroughs. By adopting a comparison methodology, the horizontal wells showed better performance in terms of HC production and CGR performance. The number of breakthrough in horizontal wells is less or delayed in term of time. High production demand was promoting this project to take place, where the current situation was not supporting due to N2 and lean gas breakthrough, which is affecting the quality of the gas sales. It was challenging to balance between high production demand, N2, and lean gas breakthrough. Initially, optimizing the production allowable was considered to maximize the production from high CGR wells and minimize the production from low CGR wells. The sidetrack scheme is important to penetrate the un-swept area and to maintain the geometry/distances between wells to prevent early breakthrough and minimize the interference. All results from surveillance and hydrodynamic simulation were integrated for final field assessment impact. This work has resulted in positive expected outcome with few millions additional condensate recovery and extended gas production plateau. According the outcomes analysis the implementation plan was designed.

Sports related concussion: an emerging era in digital sports technology

Sports-related concussion (SRC) is defined as a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) leading to complex impairment(s) in neurological function with many seemingly hidden or difficult to measure impairments that can deteriorate rapidly without any prior indication. Growing numbers of SRCs in professional and amateur contact sports have prompted closer dialog regarding player safety and welfare. Greater emphasis on awareness and education has improved SRC management, but also highlighted the difficulties of diagnosing SRC in a timely manner, particularly during matches or immediately after competition. Therefore, challenges exist in off-field assessment and return to play (RTP) protocols, with current traditional (subjective) approaches largely based on infrequent snapshot assessments. Low-cost digital technologies may provide more objective, integrated and personalized SRC assessment to better inform RTP protocols whilst also enhancing the efficiency and precision of healthcare assessment. To fully realize the potential of digital technologies in the diagnosis and management of SRC will require a significant paradigm shift in clinical practice and mindset. Here, we provide insights into SRC clinical assessment methods and the translational utility of digital approaches, with a focus on off-field digital techniques to detect key SRC metrics/biomarkers. We also provide insights and recommendations to the common benefits and challenges facing digital approaches as they aim to transition from novel technologies to an efficient, valid, reliable, and integrated clinical assessment tool for SRC. Finally, we highlight future opportunities that digital approaches have in SRC assessment and management including digital twinning and the “digital athlete”.