Deciphering the best shape aspheric intraocular lens - A raytracing based optimisation study.

Purpose: To develop, implement and demonstrate a calculation strategy to derive the best shape spherical or aspherical intraocular lens (IOL) considering corneal spherical aberration (SA).

Methods: The simulation concept is based on 2D raytracing and involves an ideal plano or spherical wavefront with an optical path length correction which simulates corneal SA. The IOL defined with its equivalent power PIOL, Coddington shape factor (CSF) and edge thickness (ET) could be located with its secondary principal plane (PP2) or its haptic plane (HP) at the predicted axial lens position (ELP).

The radiation and geographic expansion of primates through diverse climates.

One of the most influential hypotheses about primate evolution postulates that their origin, radiation, and major dispersals were associated with exceptionally warm conditions in tropical forests at northern latitudes (henceforth the ). However, this notion has proven difficult to test given the overall uncertainty about both geographic locations and paleoclimates of ancestral species. By the resolution of both challenges, we reveal that early primates dispersed and radiated in higher latitudes, through diverse climates, including cold, arid, and temperate conditions.

A two-step formula constant optimization strategy for minimal standard deviation and zero mean prediction error in IOL power calculation.

Purpose: To investigate the precision and accuracy performance of a two-step approach for optimizing lens formula constants (FC) with a refractive offset correction (RO) as a second tuning parameter.

Methods: Using IOLMaster 700 biometric data from 4 datasets (886/613/821/467 eyes treated with the Hoya Vivinex/Johnson&Johnson ZCB00/Alcon SA60AT/Bausch&Lomb MX60 lens), and the power of the implanted lens and postoperative spherical equivalent refraction, FC and RO were optimized for SRKT, Hoffer Q, Holladay 1, and Haigis formulae using an iterative nonlinear optimization for RMSPE and sequentially according to Gatinel, optimizing first FC for standard deviation prediction error (SDPE) and then RO by the resulting mean prediction error.

Results: The simple two-step approach yielded comparable results for the FC and RO for all four formulae and datasets under test.

Contrasting Cultures, Shared Struggles: A Qualitative Analysis of the Experiences of End-Stage Kidney Disease Patients and Their Caregivers in Poland and Sri Lanka.

Introduction: End-stage kidney disease (ESKD) represents the final stage of chronic kidney disease, profoundly impacting patients and their caregivers through a wide range of physical, psychological, and social challenges. Cultural values and healthcare system disparities often shape these experiences, but comparative cross-cultural perspectives remain limited.

Objective: This study explores the psychosocial experiences and treatment processes of individuals with ESKD and their caregivers in Sri Lanka and Poland, focusing on cultural, systemic, and personal influences on wellbeing.

Factors Affecting V̇O and Fat Oxidation Responses During Step Incremental Exercise.

Step incremental exercise tests are widely used to assess endurance performance determinants; however, to what extent step duration influences oxygen uptake (V̇O) and carbon dioxide production (V̇CO) is unclear. This study assessed the influence of sampling duration on V̇O, V̇CO, and fat oxidation (Fat) across different exercise intensities and modalities, and participant age and biological sex during graded exercise tests. A total of 169 participants (41 females; peak V̇O [V̇Opeak]: 54.

Identification and classification method of landslide pattern in the soil water index-based early warning system.

This paper attempts to realize the identification and classification of slope failure/landslide patterns in the early warning system (EWS) based on Soil Water Index (SWI), for fuzzy evaluation of the slope failure scale based on meteorological data. For this purpose, the stability analysis and shear strength parametric discussions of a homogeneous slope model composed of two kinds of soil, i.e.

Erythropoietin controls surface expression of its receptor via endoplasmic reticulum translocation.

Approximately one third of all newly synthesized proteins are estimated to be processed through the secretory pathway. This complex process presents multiple opportunities for regulation of protein production and function. Current examples of the differential regulation of translocation of specific polypeptides across the Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) membrane, have focused on the responses to ER stress.

A Comprehensive Analysis of Psychological Determinants of Socio-Demographic Variability in Superstition Endorsement.

We explored the relationship between socio-demographic characteristics and superstition endorsement, distinguishing between the practice of and belief in superstitions, as well as between positive and negative superstitions. We examined specifically whether analytic thinking style, anxiety, and intolerance of uncertainty account for socio-demographic variability in these dimensions of endorsement and to what extent stress from macro-level threatening circumstances moderates these effects. Two pre-registered studies conducted in Israel ( = 751) and the United States ( = 566) revealed that whereas relations of superstition endorsement with socio-demographic characteristics varied across samples, those with the psychological factors were quite robust.

Ustekinumab versus vedolizumab in patients with Crohn's disease refractory to anti-tumour necrosis factor: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To compare clinical efficiency of Ustekinumab (UST) and Vedolizumab (VDZ) in patients with Crohn's disease (CD), refractory to anti-tumour necrosis factor (anti-TNF) therapy.

Methods: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase databases were searched for studies published from inception until 15th May 2024. Cohort studies comparing UST and VDZ regimens in patients with refractory CD and reporting clinical, steroid-free, and biological remission, as well as providing data on treatment persistence were included.

Application of respiratory muscle training for improved intermittent exercise performance in team sports: a narrative review.

Since traditional, sport-specific training or exercise programs lack sufficient stimulus to improve the function of the respiratory muscle, the rationale for integrating additional respiratory muscle training (RMT) emerged. RMT has the potential to improve intermittent exercise performance in team sports athletes, as proven in multiple studies. This narrative review aims to provide coaches with tools to select the appropriate form of RMT, tailored to the athletes' needs, using appropriate diagnostic methods, intervention protocols, and devices.

Multifaceted plant diversity patterns across the Himalaya: Status and outlook.

Mountains serve as exceptional natural laboratories for studying biodiversity due to their heterogeneous landforms and climatic zones. The Himalaya, a global biodiversity hotspot, hosts rich endemic flora, supports vital ecosystem functions, and offers a unique window into multifaceted plant diversity patterns. This review synthesizes research on Himalayan plant diversity, including species, phylogenetic, functional, and genetic dimensions, highlighting knowledge gaps and solutions.

Effects of Transcutaneous Electroacupuncture Stimulation (TEAS) on Eyeblink, EEG, and Heart Rate Variability (HRV): A Non-Parametric Statistical Study Investigating the Potential of TEAS to Modulate Physiological Markers.

This study investigates the effects of transcutaneous electroacupuncture stimulation (TEAS) on eyeblink rate, EEG, and heart rate variability (HRV), emphasising whether eyeblink data-often dismissed as artefacts-can serve as useful physiological markers. Sixty-six participants underwent four TEAS sessions with different stimulation frequencies (2.5, 10, 80, and 160 pps, with 160 pps as a low-amplitude sham).

Effective Social Support to Enable Older Adults Living Alone in Japan to Continue Living at Home.

Japan has the world's fastest-aging population. The number of older adults living alone has increased rapidly; however, the number of people waiting for nursing care facilities is high, especially in urban areas, and home care is unavoidable. Few studies have focused on older adults living alone who require nursing care, and almost no reports have examined the factors influencing the continuation or discontinuation of living alone.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices among oncology pharmacists on cytotoxic drug reconstitution in Sri Lanka: A cross-sectional study.

IntroductionCancer is a significant global health challenge, often managed through cytotoxic drugs (CDs). CDs are inherently hazardous and can disrupt both cancerous and healthy cells. Cytotoxic reconstitution requires specialized training to ensure both the quality of the medication and the safety of the healthcare professionals who handle CDs.

Developing service models for adult palliative and end of life care for people with a learning disability (The DAPPLE Project): protocol for a mixed-method study.

Introduction: People with a learning disability face significant health and mortality inequalities as well as wider systemic inequities. Challenges in palliative and end of life care (PEOLC) include communication difficulties, lack of involvement in decision-making and multimorbidity. Early identification of PEOLC needs is challenging, impacting timely care planning.

Research Advances in Nanosensor for Pesticide Detection in Agricultural Products.

Over the past few decades, pesticide application has increased significantly, driven by population growth and associated urbanization. To date, pesticide use remains crucial for sustaining global food security by enhancing crop yields and preserving quality. However, extensive pesticide application raises serious environmental and health concerns worldwide due to its chemical persistence and high toxicity to organisms, including humans.

Occurrence and characterization of vitamin B12 compounds in traditional Japanese sweet "kuzu-mochi" made from fermented wheat starch.

This study presents the first detailed evidence that commercially available kuzu-mochi products-a traditional Japanese sweet made from fermented wheat starch-are a natural source of vitamin B12 compounds. Microbiological assays and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analyses confirmed the presence of vitamin B12 and its analog (pseudovitamin B12) across all tested samples, along with minor corrinoid compounds. Significant variability in vitamin B12 content was noted at approximately 25-152 ng/100 g wet weight, which was probably associated with differences in fermentation-derived microbial communities.

Combining whole genome sequencing and non-adaptive group testing for large-scale ethnicity screens.

Background: Estimating an individual's ethnicity from genetic data is crucial for analyzing disease association studies, making informed medical decisions, conducting forensic investigations, and tracing genealogical ancestry.

Results: This work combines non-adaptive group testing using the mathematical field of compressed sensing and standard short-read sequencing to allow an up to 4-fold increase in the number of samples in large-scale ethnicity estimates. The method requires no prior knowledge regarding the tested individuals and provides almost identical results compared to testing each individual independently.

No consistent size responses in radiolarians to the climatic changes and mass extinctions during the Paleozoic-Mesozoic transition.

Plankton are important indicators of ocean health and are crucial for the support of ecosystems. Few analyses have been carried out on the morphological responses of planktonic organisms to the greatest mass extinction in the Permian-Triassic transition. Here, we explore a large database on the middle Permian to Middle Triassic Radiolaria, which is one of the most important planktonic bio-indicators of primary productivity from those times.

Enhancing the regulatory function of the autonomic nervous system using sounds with inaudible high-frequency components.

The dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity notably contributes to the onset and progression of numerous diseases, including lifestyle-related and psychiatric disorders. This necessitates the development of effective nonpharmacological methods for regulating ANS function for therapeutic purposes and disease prevention. This study examined how the presence or absence of the inaudible high-frequency component (HFC) of sounds-which activates deep-brain structures-affects the ANS regulatory function.

Repeatability of corneal measurements from the Casia2 anterior segment tomographer in a cataractous population.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the repeatability of corneal power and thickness measures in a large patient cohort.

Methods: In this retrospective non-randomised cross sectional single-centre study we evaluated a dataset containing 900 Casia2 anterior segment tomography measurements from 300 eyes from 300 patients (3 repeat measurements each) taken prior to cataract surgery. Only complete measurements marked as 'Successful' and with a sequence of 3 measurements for each eye performed on the same day were considered.

One-Step Flame Synthesis of White-to-Yellow-to-Black Titanium (Sub-) Oxides with Tunable Oxygen Vacancies and N-Doping: Demonstration of Efficient Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution.

The synthesis of nitrogen-doped titanium (sub-)oxide (N-doped TiO) nanoparticles is reported via a novel one-step flame method that enables a significant enhancement of photocatalytic properties. The NH-fueled quasi-1D stagnation flame provides a unique high-temperature environment (up to 2000 K), enabling rapid, scalable production of tailored N-doped metal oxides through reactive nitrogen radicals. The as-synthesized nanoparticles exhibit nitrogen doping levels varying from 2.