Effect of preoperative keratometry on visual outcomes after small-incision lenticule extraction for myopia

Purpose To investigate the relationship between preoperative keratometry (K) and postoperative refraction and compare the visual outcomes after small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) between preoperative flat and steep corneas. Methods This study involved 814 consecutive eyes of 409 patients who underwent SMILE. A month later, a linear regression analysis of the relationship between preoperative K and the residual spherical equivalent (SE) along with eyes divided by a single standard deviation between flat and steep corneas (< 41.85 D, > 44.57 D, respectively) was conducted. Eyes were distinguished based on the degree of myopia. Results One month after surgery, no significant correlation existed between mean preoperative K and residual SE (P = 0.459). Linear regression analysis showed a weak negative correlation between flat corneas (r2 = 0.042, P = 0.025) rather than steep corneas (P = 0.908). Eyes with preoperative low myopia (< 3.00 D) (r2 = 0.233, P = 0.001) had a weak correlation compared with moderate and high myopia (P = 0.272, P = 0.257, respectively). Twelve months later, the predictability, safety, and efficacy did not vary between preoperative flat and steep corneas (P > 0.05). Conclusions One month after SMILE for myopia, the corneas were flatter in the preoperative flat corneas or all the low myopic corneas, and they were more overcorrected. However, preoperative corneal curvature does not influence visual outcomes at 1 year after SMILE.

“Single System, Single-Standard” vs. “Single System, Multi-Standard”—The Impact of the Financing Method of Chinese Urban-Rural Integrated Medical Insurance System on the Rate of Joining Insurance for Middle-Aged and Elderly People

Basic Chinese medical insurance has achieved full coverage, but the inequality between urban and rural areas is still outstanding. Under this background, the government proposed the urban-rural Integrated Medical Insurance System which proposes two kinds of financing modes. Based on the decision-making theory of medical insurance and the logit regression model, this paper studies the influence of two kinds of financing modes on middle-aged and elderly people’s decisions to participate in integrated medical insurance in China. The two financing modes are “single-standard” and “multi-standard”. The results show that the two kinds of financing methods have positive and significant effects, and the incentive effect of “multi-standard” on the integrated medical insurance is greater than that of “single-standard”. Having an urban household registration promotes the development of the “multi-standard”. However, there are some central provinces are not eable to improve the integrated medical insurance participation rate through “multi-standard”. Improving the participation rate of integrated medical insurance can promote the balanced allocation of resources between urban and rural areas, as well as different income groups and regions. Moreover, it can ensure a smooth transition of medical insurance policies. We should hold and boost the financing method of “multi-standard” to guarantee medical insurance integration’s rapid and steady progress in China.

COLOURIMETRIC CALIBRATION FOR PHOTOGRAPHY, PHOTOGRAMMETRY, AND PHOTOMODELLING WITHIN ARCHITECTURAL SURVEY

In accordance with the “Declaration of Rome on architectural survey”, we can affirm that recording and interpretation of colour information in photographic surveying, in photogrammetric surveying and in photomodelling requires careful planning of Colour Imaging processes. Information acquired by an optical sensor is influenced not just by the actual photographed scene, but also by the spectral sensitivity of the sensor. We have adopted, from the field of Cultural Heritage, a method of colourimetric calibration for digital photographs and have proposed some adjustments to finalise this process for the purposes of Architectural Survey. With the use of a colourimetric target and a non-linear transformation algorithm, our Colour Imaging method statistically reconstructs colours conventionally unrecordable by a commercial camera. In addition, this method reconstructs colours as if the photographed object were exposed to a standard illuminant, assessing a colour error parameter value for each photo. By including the colourimetric target in every shot and by applying the calibration algorithm to all photographs taken, the process correlates all data sets to a single standard illuminant: regarding photomodelling, this leads to a more uniform and detailed representation of the surfaces of virtual models. We present two successful examples of application: one focused on a design object with physioplastic decoration and another regarding a circular fountain in a historic villa.

Anti-terrorist commissions in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation: activities, problems of legal regulation and ways of improvement (on the example of St. Petersburg)

In the article the author considers issues of legal regulation and activities of anti-terrorist commissions in the regions of the Russian Federation (hereinafter ATC). The article draws attention to the imperfection of the legislation that impedes normal functioning of the ATC in the regions, and proposes measures to improve the legislation and measures to optimize the mechanism for implementing goals and objectives of the ATC, including the field of interdepartmental interaction. In order to bring the norms governing the issues of antiterrorist security of objects to a single standard, the author proposes to systematize some acts of the executive authorities through consolidation. In order to improve the practice of bringing to administrative and disciplinary responsibility for failure to comply with decisions of the ATC of St. Petersburg and instructions of its staff, the author proposes a number of legal and organizational measures. As a result, the author concludes that improving the work of ATC in the regions should be carried out in three main directions: improving regulatory regulation, increasing the professional level of ATC employees, improving the results of administrative practice, including the exchange of experience between regional ATC.

Single source-based energy and efficiency calibration method for the assessment of an alpha imaging detector

An alpha imaging detector acquires a two-dimensional distribution of a sample that emits alpha particles. For the quantitative analysis of the image of an alpha-emitting sample, the individual energies of the alpha particles must be identified, which can be achieved using the spectrometric method after detector calibration. In this study, an energy and efficiency calibration method was investigated to assess an alpha imaging detector. The calibration was performed using a single standard source of Am-241 based on the energy loss characteristic of an alpha particle. The feasibility of the calibration method was evaluated using another source, Ac-225. The calibrated alpha imaging detector was evaluated in terms of energy resolution and detection efficiency, and the alpha imaging detector was found to be efficiently calibrated using a single standard source. The calibrated alpha imaging detector appears promising for the quantitative analysis of samples that emit alpha particles.

Standard mark table and standard USCI-CF table of the point group D6h. Unification of candidates derived from different D6h-skeletons

Combined-permutation representations (CPRs) for characterizing -skeletons (a benzene skeleton, a Haworth-projected skeleton, a superphane skeleton, and a coronene skeleton) are constructed by starting from respective sets of generators, where the permutation of each generator is combined with a mirror-permutation of 2-cycle to treat both achiral and chiral substituents under the GAP system. Thereby, the CPR of degree 8 (= 6 + 2) for the benzene skeleton, the CPR of degree 14 (= 12 + 2) for the Haworth-projected skeleton, the CPR of degree 14 (= 12 + 2) for the superphane skeleton, the CPR of degree 14 (= 12 + 2) for the coronene skeleton are generated to give primary mark tables (tables of marks) based on these CPRs. These primary mark tables generated by the GAP system are different in the sequence of subgroups from each other, although they stem from the same point group . They are unified into a single standard mark table by means of a newly-devised GAP function MarkTableforUSCI. Moreover, another newly-devised GAP function constructUSCITable is employed to construct a standard USCI-CF (unit-subduced-cycle-index-with-chirality-fittingness) table concordantly. After a set of PCI-CFs (partial cycle indices with chirality fittingness) is calculated for each skeleton, symmetry-itemized combinatorial enumeration is conducted by means of the PCI method of Fujita’s USCI approach (S. Fujita, Symmetry and Combinatorial Enumeration in Chemistry, Springer-Verlag, Berlin-Heidelberg, 1991).

All we need to know about internal thoracic artery harvesting and preparation for myocardial revascularization: a systematic review

Internal thoracic arteries (ITAs) are the gold standard conduits for coronary revascularization because of their long-term patency and anti-atherosclerotic properties. Harvesting and preparation of ITAs for revascularization is a technically demanding procedure with multiple challenges. Over the last few decades, various methods and techniques for ITAs harvesting have been introduced by different surgeons and applied in clinical practice with different results. Harvesting of ITAs in pedicled or skeletonized fashion, with electrocautery or harmonic scalpel, with open or intact pleura, with clipping the end or keeping it perfused; papaverine delivery with intraluminal injection, perivascular injection, injecting into endothoracic fascia, and papaverine topical spray are the different techniques introduced by the number of researchers. At the same time, access to the ITAs for harvesting has also been studied. Access and harvesting through median sternotomy, mini anterolateral thoracotomy, thoracoscopic, and robotic-assisted harvesting of ITAs are the different techniques used in clinical practice. However, the single standard method for harvesting and preparation of ITAs has yet to be determined. In this review article, we aimed to discuss and analyze all these techniques of harvesting and preparing ITAs with the help of literature to find the best way for ITAs harvesting and preparation for myocardial revascularization.

Economic, environmental and grid-resilience benefits of converting diesel trains to battery-electric

Nearly all US locomotives are propelled by diesel-electric drives, which emit 35 million tonnes of CO2 and produce air pollution causing about 1,000 premature deaths annually, accounting for approximately US$6.5 billion in annual health damage costs. Improved battery technology plus access to cheap renewable electricity open the possibility of battery-electric rail. Here we show that a 241-km range can be achieved using a single standard boxcar equipped with a 14-MWh battery and inverter, while consuming half the energy consumed by diesel trains. At near-future battery prices, battery-electric trains can achieve parity with diesel-electric trains if environmental costs are included or if rail companies can access wholesale electricity prices and achieve 40% use of fast-charging infrastructure. Accounting for reduced criteria air pollutants and CO2 emissions, switching to battery-electric propulsion would save the US freight rail sector US$94 billion over 20 years.

Scientific substantiation of Maximum Permissible Concentrations (MPCs) for benzoic acid and sodium benzoate in water based on modern data (literature review)

Correction of outdated MPCs for substances in water should be based on a generalization of the results of previous studies and the new literature data. On the example of benzoic acid and sodium benzoate, which are widespread in the environment, the possibility of adjusting the current MPC in water according to literature data is considered. A comparative assessment of the methods for calculating the MPC following international approaches and practices adopted in Russia are given. The internationally set maximum allowable dose (MAD) is based on data that does not comply with Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) requirements or domestic regulations. Modern works present new data on the mechanisms and manifestations of the harmful effects of benzoic acid and sodium benzoate. These data indicate the multipathogenetic representation of the toxic effect of benzoic acid, which is typical for most chemical compounds. The results of experiments on animals showed benzoic acid and sodium benzoate to harm the central nervous system. In particular, they significantly impair memory and coordination of movements. A forecast of safe levels of benzoic acid and sodium benzoate was carried out based on two approaches - determination of MPC in water according to the internationally established allowable daily intake (ADI) according to international requirements (1.7 mg/l) and calculation based on experimental data following the requirements of domestic methodological documents (0.6 mg/l). The toxicity of benzoic acid and sodium benzoate is determined by the benzoate ion, which makes it possible to recommend a single standard for two compounds at the level of 0.6 mg/l, a sanitary and toxicological hazard index, hazard class 2. When considering the possibility and ways of harmonizing the methodology for the regulation of substances in water with international approaches, it is necessary to take into account the deep research of scientists of our country concerning the accumulation of the effect of intoxication with prolonged exposure to substances on the body, adaptation responses, and disruption of adaptive responses and the development of new responses over time.

Improving the Minimum Design Velocity of Sewage Pipes

The minimum design velocity for sewage pipes is set based on the planned quantity; however, deriving a reasonable design with only a single standard is limited. Thus, it is necessary to review whether consistent standards, such as the current minimum flow velocity, can efficiently transport the particles flowing in pipes. Improving the design that can determine the minimum design velocity rate and slope according to the concentration, specific gravity, particle size, and characteristics of the pipe material of the sediment flowing into the sewer system is necessary. In this study, the minimum design velocity for each particle size was examined based on the results of the simulation of fluid-solid multiphase flow required for the review process of hydraulic properties inside the pipe. The minimum design velocity standards for domestic and international sewage systems were investigated and compared, and a minimum design flow rate prediction equation was proposed considering the sedimentation. The equation includes the relationship between the particle size and pipe diameter and can be easily estimated.