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Anastasios John Kanellopoulos,1,2,* Matthias Maus,3,* Chandra Bala,4,* Cody Hamilton,5,* Sissimos Lemonis,6,* Maria Elena Jockovich,5,* Ramin Khoramnia7,* 1LaserVision Ambulatory Surgical Unit, Athens, Greece; 2Department of Ophthalmology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York City, NY, USA; 3Sehkraft Augenzentrum, Köln, Germany; 4PersonalEyes, Sydney, NSW, Australia; 5Alcon Vision, LLC, Fort Worth, TX, USA; 6Alcon Deutschland GmbH, Freiburg, Germany; 7Department of Ophthalmology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Anastasios John Kanellopoulos, LaserVision Ambulatory Surgical Unit, An Thocha 17, Athens, 11521, Greece, Tel +302107472777, Fax + 302107472789, Email ajkmd@mac.com

Anastasios John Kanellopoulos,1,2,* Matthias Maus,3,* Chandra Bala,4,* Cody Hamilton,5,* Sissimos Lemonis,6,* Maria Elena Jockovich,5,* Ramin Khoramnia7,* 1LaserVision Ambulatory Surgical Unit, Athens, Greece; 2Department of Ophthalmology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York City, NY, USA; 3Sehkraft Augenzentrum, Köln, Germany; 4PersonalEyes, Sydney, NSW, Australia; 5Alcon Vision, LLC, Fort Worth, TX, USA; 6Alcon Deutschland GmbH, Freiburg, Germany; 7Department of Ophthalmology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Anastasios John Kanellopoulos, LaserVision Ambulatory Surgical Unit, An Thocha 17, Athens, 115 21, Greece, Tel +30 (210) 7472777, Fax + 30 (210) 7472789, Email ajkmd@mac.comPurpose: To assess the safety and efficacy of a customized ablation treatment (InnovEyes) to correct myopia and myopic astigmatism with femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (Femto LASIK).Patients and Methods: In this prospective, nonrandomized, multicenter study, 113 patients (225 eyes) with preoperative myopia less than − 9.0 diopters (D) and astigmatism 0 to − 4.0 D (based on InnovEyes refraction) underwent wavefront, tomography, and biometry assessment using a single diagnostic device (InnovEyes sightmap). These data were imported and used unmodified by the InnovEyes algorithm to automatically calculate and optimize correction of lower- and higher‑order aberrations (HOAs) treated by the EX500 ablation profile. Visual acuity, refractive error, HOAs, and patient satisfaction were evaluated over 3 months.Results: A total of 106 patients (212 eyes) completed the study and were included in the analysis. Mean preoperative manifest refraction spherical equivalent (MRSE) was − 3.38± 1.76 D. At Month 3, uncorrected distance visual acuity was 20/20 or better in 208/212 (98.1%) eyes, and it was the same as, or better than, the preoperative best-corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) in 162/212 (76.4%) eyes; 76/212 (35.8%) eyes gained ≥ 1 line of CDVA. MRSE was within ± 0.5 D in 195/212 (92.0%) eyes. Additionally, 201/209 (96.2%) eyes had no change (defined as a change between − 0.1 μm and 0.1 μm, inclusive) in HOAs, and 105/106 (99.1%) patients reported to be satisfied with the results.Conclusion: Customizing ray-tracing Femto LASIK with this platform appeared safe and effective in correcting myopic astigmatism and also achieved a significant percentage of eyes gaining lines of vision, potentially by addressing HOAs, along with a consistently high level of patient satisfaction.Keywords: myopic astigmatism, higher-order aberrations, manifest refraction spherical equivalent, corrected distance visual acuity

ABSTRACT Objective: To report outcomes from the largest multicenter series of penile cancer patients undergoing video endoscopic inguinal lymphadenectomy (VEIL). Materials and Methods: Retrospective multicenter analysis. Authors of 21 centers from the Penile Cancer Collaborative Coalition-Latin America (PeC-LA) were included. All centers performed the procedure following the same previously described standardized technique. Inclusion criteria included penile cancer patients with no palpable lymph nodes and intermediate/high-risk disease and those with non-fixed palpable lymph nodes less than 4 cm in diameter. Categorical variables are shown as percentages and frequencies whereas continuous variables as mean and range. Results: From 2006 to 2020, 210 VEIL procedures were performed in 105 patients. Mean age was 58 (45-68) years old. Mean operative time was 90 minutes (60-120). Mean lymph node yield was 10 nodes (6-16). Complication rate was 15.7%, including severe complications in 1.9% of procedures. Lymphatic and skin complications were noted in 8.6 and 4.8% of patients, respectively. Histopathological analysis revealed lymph node involvement in 26.7% of patients with non-palpable nodes. Inguinal recurrence was observed in 2.8% of patients. 10y- overall survival was 74.2% and 10-y cancer specific survival was 84.8%. CSS for pN0, pN1, pN2 and pN3 were 100%, 82.4%, 72.7% and 9.1%, respectively. Conclusion: VEIL seems to offer appropriate long term oncological control with minimal morbidity. In the absence of non-invasive stratification measures such as dynamic sentinel node biopsy, VEIL emerged as the alternative for the management of non-bulky lymph nodes in penile cancer.

ABSTRACT Known laparoscopic and robotic assisted approaches and techniques for the surgical management of urological malignant and benign diseases are commonly used around the World. During the global pandemic COVID-19, urology surgeons had to reorganize their daily surgical practice. A concern with the use of minimally invasive techniques arose due to a proposed risk of viral transmission of the coronavirus disease with the creation of pneumoperitoneum. Due to this, we reviewed the literature to evaluate the use of laparoscopy and robotics during the pandemic COVID-19. A literature review of viral transmission in surgery and of the available literature regarding the transmission of the COVID-19 virus was performed up to April 30, 2020. We additionally reviewed surgical society guidelines and recommendations regarding surgery during this pandemic. Few studies have been performed on viral transmission during surgery. No study has been made regarding this area during minimally invasive urology cases. To date there is no study that demonstrates or can suggest the ability for a virus to be transmitted during surgical treatment whether open, laparoscopic or robotic. There is no society consensus on restricting laparoscopic or robotic surgery. However, there is expert consensus on modification of standard practices to minimize any risk of transmission. During the pandemic COVID-19 we recommend the use of specific personal protective equipment for the surgeon, anesthesiologist and nursing staff in the operating room. Modifications of standard practices during minimally invasive surgery such as using lowest intra-abdominal pressures possible, controlled smoke evacuation systems, and minimizing energy device usage are recommended.

Robert J Cionni,1 Michael Breen,2 Cody Hamilton,3 Ravaughn Williams41The Eye Institute of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; 2North America Clinical Development and Medical Affairs, Alcon Laboratories, Inc., Fort Worth, TX, USA; 3Biostatistics, Alcon Laboratories, Inc., Fort Worth, TX, USA; 4Global Clinical Development and Medical Affairs, Alcon Laboratories, Fort Worth, TX, USAPurpose: To evaluate the spherical equivalent outcomes of intraoperative aberrometry (IA) power calculations compared with the surgeons’ preoperative power calculations in eyes implanted with AcrySof® IQ T3 intraocular lenses (IOLs).Patients and methods: We assessed data collected by an IA system from multiple centers in the United States. Data was from patients who had undergone cataract extraction by phacoemulsification with the use of the Optiwave Refractive Analysis System and whose eyes had been implanted with model SN6AT3 (1.5 diopter [D] at IOL plane) aspheric lenses. The analysis was performed in 2 stages: hypothesis generation and confirmatory testing. Confirmatory endpoints were a comparison of absolute prediction errors for IA for the implanted IOL versus preoperative formula power calculations.Design: Retrospective analysis of preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative data concerning eyes implanted with model SN6AT3 (1.5 D) aspheric lenses from the AnalyzOR™ database.Results: Mean absolute IA prediction error was significantly lower than preoperative prediction error (paired difference: −0.06 D; p

Bioleaching is a mature technology, which is widely employed commercially in the leaching of primary sources of metals (ores, concentrates, and mine residues). The current work discussed the effects of aluminum sulfate additions to the growth medium, PLS recirculation and bleeding on the column bioleaching of secondary copper sulfide ores with a significant content of fluoride-containing minerals. Fluoride is toxic to bacteria at the pH of bioleaching but its toxicity may be overcome in the presence of soluble aluminum and ferric iron. Therefore, experiments were carried out in 10 × 100 cm height aerated columns, loaded with 10 kg of crushed and agglomerated copper ore and inoculated with Sulfobacillus thermosulfidooxidans. Initially, fluoride concentrations of up to 2.5 g/L in the pregnant leach solution were observed due to the fast dissolution of fluoride-bearing minerals. Aluminum was added to the leaching solution to reduce the Al/F ratio so that the concentration of HF (the main toxic species) was decreased, but while the total fluoride concentration was higher than that of aluminum, the bacterial population as low. Therefore, the current work emphasizes that it is possible to set up conditions to enable bioleaching even at high fluoride concentrations. Following this approach, copper extractions above 90% were achieved for a H2SO4 consumption ranging from 128.8 to 206.1 Kg/ton.

The long term natural aging behavior of friction stir welded aluminum 7136-T76 and 7042 T6 extrusions was investigated. The microstructural characteristics and mechanical properties in the as-welded and six years naturally aged conditions were studied and correlated to a coupled thermal/material flow model of the joining process. Hardness profiles for the 7136 alloy taken along the mid-plane thickness of the workpiece displayed the characteristic W-shape. With natural aging, hardness recovery occurred on both sides of the weld, but the position of the hardness minima, particularly on the advancing side, shifted away from the weld centerline. The hardness profile for the 7042 alloy displayed U-shape in the as-welded condition and W-shape after natural aging. The hardness behavior upon natural aging correlated to the temperature profile developed during welding and the degree to which phase dissolution occurred in the regions adjacent to the stir zone.

Este estudo teve como objetivo verificar alterações na taxocenose de peixes devido à instalação da Pequena Central Hidrelétrica Salto Forqueta no curso do rio Forqueta. A área de estudo localiza-se na bacia hidrográfica do rio Taquari, entre os municípios de Putinga (margem esquerda do rio) e São José do Herval (margem direita do rio). O estudo abrangeu quatro etapas: Etapa I - dez/2000 a fev/2002 (anterior ao represamento), Etapa II - dez/2002 a jan/2004 (primeiro ano subseqüente ao represamento), Etapa III - maio/2004 a abr/2005 (segundo ano após o represamento) e Etapa IV - maio/2005 a jul/2006 (terceiro ano após o represamento). As amostragens foram realizadas com redes de espera de malhas diversas. Foram registradas 28 espécies na Etapa I, 21 espécies na Etapa II, 19 espécies na Etapa III e 18 espécies na Etapa IV, sendo que as maiores taxas de abundância nas quatro etapas de monitoramento variaram entre as espécies Astyanax spp., Hemiancistrus punctulatus Cardoso & Malabarba, 1999, Steindachnerina biornata (Pearson, 1924), Oligosarcus jenynsii (Günther, 1864) e Geophagus brasiliensis (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824). Verificaram-se diversas alterações na ictiocenose local, porém, as alterações não se mostraram estatisticamente significativas.This study aimed to verify the alterations on the fish assemblage due the installation of the Small Hydroelectrical Power-Station Salto Forqueta in the course of the Forqueta River. The study area is located in the Taquari River basin, between the municipalities of Putinga (left margin of the river) and São José do Herval (right margin of the river). The study encompassed four phases: Phase I - from dec/2000 to feb/2002 (before damming), Phase II - from dec/2002 to jan/2004 (first year following damming), Phase III - from may/2004 to apr/2005 (second year following damming) and Phase IV - from may/2005 to jul/2006 (third year following damming). The samples were taken using fishing nets with diverse mashes. It was registered 28 species during Phase I, 21 species during Phase II, 19 species during Phase III and 18 species during Phase IV. The abundance rates, during the four phases, varied among the following species: Astyanax spp., Hemiancistrus punctulatus Cardoso & Malabarba, 1999, Steindachnerina biornata (Pearson, 1924), Oligosarcus jenynsii (Günther, 1864) and Geophagus brasiliensis (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824). It was verified a range of alterations in the local fish assemblage, nevertheless, these alterations were not statistically significant.

This paper presents Salmonella data from animals, feedstuffs and feed mills in Sweden between 1993 and 1997. During that period, 555 isolates were recorded from animals, representing 87 serotypes. Of those, 30 serotypes were found in animals in Sweden for the first time. The majority of all isolates from animals were S. Typhimurium (n = 91), followed by S. Dublin (n = 82). There were 115 isolates from cattle, 21 from broilers, 56 from layers and 18 from swine. The majority of these isolates were from outbreaks, although some were isolated at the surveillance at slaughterhouses. The number of isolates from the feed industry was similar to that of the previous 5-year period. Most of those findings were from dust and scrapings from feed mills, in accordance with the HACCP programme in the feed control programme. It can be concluded that the occurrence of Salmonella in animals and in the feed production in Sweden remained favourable during 1993–97.

The Chemical Time Bomb Concept (CTB) refers to “events resulting in the delayed occurrence of harmful effects due to the mobilization of chemicals stored in soils and sediments”. Why do some ecosystems accept contaminants with no (little) impact? If soils and sediments are sinks for metallic contaminants it is because their hydrogeochemical environment is favorable. Why do they release them at some point? Oversaturation of the ecosystem is often suggested as the cause. We propose here a new approach to this now well accepted concept. The soil or sediment retains its metallic pollutants as long as the controlling parameters, i.e. mostly pH and Eh, are stable. The pH or Eh buffer capacity of the solid is therefore the controlling parameter to avoid the release of metallic contaminants to the hydrosphere. Examples of natural and contaminated systems will be presented.

The ability to build target platforms for National Ignition Facility (NIF) is a key feature in LANL's (Los Alamos National Laboratory) Target Fabrication Program. We recently built and manufactured the first LANL targets to be fielded on NIF in March 2011. Experiments on NIF require precision component manufacturing and accurate knowledge of the materials used in the targets. The characterization of foams and aerogels, the Be ignition capsule, and machining unique components are of main material focus. One important characterization metric the physics' have determined is that the knowledge of density gradients in foams is important. We are making strides in not only locating these density gradients in aerogels and foams as a result of how they are manufactured and machined but also quantifying the density within the foam using 3D confocal micro x-ray fluorescence (μXRF) imaging and 3D x-ray computed tomography (CT) imaging. In addition, collaborative efforts between General Atomics (GA) and LANL in the characterization of the NIF Ignition beryllium capsule have shown that the copper in the capsule migrates radially from the capsule center.

Objectives Demand for rapid coagulation testing for massive transfusion events led to development of an emergency hemorrhage panel (EHP; hemoglobin, platelet count, prothrombin time/international normalized ratio, and fibrinogen), with laboratory turnaround time (TAT) of less than 20 minutes. Ten years on, we asked if current laboratory practices were meeting that TAT goal and differences were evident in TAT between the 2 major institutions in our system. Methods We identified EHPs ordered at our 2 largest hospitals, February 2, 2021, to July 17, 2022, comparing order to specimen draw time, specimen draw to specimen received time, laboratory analytic time, and total TAT results from emergency department and operating room. Site 1 houses a level I trauma center; site 2 includes tertiary care, transplant, and obstetrics services. Results In total, 1137 EHPs were recorded in our study period. Laboratory TAT was significantly faster at site 1 (~14 vs ~27 minutes, P <.01). Average laboratory TAT was under 20 minutes at site 1 but only for 50% of specimens at site 2. Outlier specimens were collection delays at site 1 and specimen processing delays at site 2. Conclusions The EHP can be performed as rapidly as described. However, compromises in laboratory location, available personnel, and processing differences can degrade performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Aims Methods Results Conclusions Trauma‐induced coagulopathy (TIC) is associated with negative outcomes. Pediatric TIC has been described most often in older children. Children undergo normal developmental hemostasis, but it is unknown how this process impacts the risk of TIC across childhood.To understand variations in coagulation testing and TIC across pediatric age groups.We evaluated testing patterns of coagulation studies at presentation and over the first 72 h of hospitalization by pediatric age group at a large, Level I trauma center, 2015–2020. The frequency of TIC was determined using published, age‐specific reference ranges and controlling for injury severity. We performed subgroup analyses of those with isolated severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) and those who presented directly from the scene of injury.Data from 2409 pediatric patients were available; 333 patients had isolated severe TBI. Children <1 year were least likely to be tested for TIC at presentation and over the first 72 h, even among the most injured. Fibrinogen testing was uncommon, regardless of injury severity. TIC was common: 22% of patients had TIC at presentation and 35% by 72 h. Greater injury severity was associated with TIC. Children 1–4 and 5–9 years had a higher frequency of TIC at presentation and over 72 h compared to older children in the least injured cohort. We saw no difference in frequency of TIC between age groups in the subset with isolated severe TBI. Using age‐specific criteria, patients most often met TIC criteria by INR/PT, followed by platelet count, and least commonly by aPTT. The presence of TIC was associated with in‐hospital mortality (OR 4.10, 95% CI 2.06–8.17).Significant sampling bias exists in clinical data collection among injured children and adolescents. Contrary to previous reports and using age‐specific TIC criteria, younger children are not at lower risk of TIC than older children when controlling for injury severity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Memory strategies in autistic adults seem to mimic strategies at older age, as both younger autistic and older non‐autistic individuals use fewer semantic features in visual memory tasks. Therefore, the current study aims to investigate whether early differences in memory strategies lead to altered age‐related effects in autism, particularly whether initial difficulties in strategy use become advantageous at older age (i.e., "protective aging"). A total of 147 participants across four groups (autistic younger/older, non‐autistic younger/older) completed an online assessment. This assessment included a recognition version of the Visual Patterns Test (VPT) to evaluate semantic strategy use in visual memory, the Just Noticeable Difference (JND) size task for assessing visual processing, and the Multifactorial Memory Questionnaire to evaluate subjective memory functioning and strategy use (MMQ). Unexpectedly, all groups benefited from semantic features on the VPT, although the older groups performed less accurately and slower than the younger groups. The JND Size task showed no group differences. Autistic adults rated their MMQ memory as worse than non‐autistic adults, despite reporting greater strategy use. These results indicate that cognitive strategies might be more similar between younger/older and autistic/non‐autistic people than previously expected, although notable discrepancies between objective and subjective measures were present. They also substantiate previously reported parallel (i.e., similar) age‐related effects between autistic and non‐autistic people. Lay Summary: In their way of remembering things, autistic people seem to show similarities to those of older age. We wanted to find out if these differences in memory strategies that autistic people use at younger age, might become an advantage as they get older. We studied 147 participants divided into four groups: younger and older adults with autism, and younger and older adults without autism. Participants completed a memory test where they had to remember patterns, a visual processing task where they had to judge the size of various objects, and a memory questionnaire where they judged their own memory and the use of memory strategies in daily life. Surprisingly, in the memory pattern test, using memory strategies helped all groups, although the older participants in both groups (autistic and non‐autistic) were slower and less accurate. On both the memory task and visual processing task no differences between autistic and non‐autistic people were observed. However, autistic people rated their own memory as worse compared to non‐autistic people and they reported using more memory strategies in daily life on the questionnaire. These results suggest that the ways people remember things might be more similar than previously expected, even between younger and older people and between those with and without autism. Our study contributes to understanding how memory works in autism and illustrates that memory tasks and memory questionnaires can show different results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: With the widespread adoption of Blood Establishment Computer Systems and other Blood Collection and Transfusion Service (BCTS) clinical information systems (CIS), electronic blood donor, product, and patient data are now routinely required for clinical, regulatory, operational, and quality needs. That data are often not readily accessible for such secondary use within CIS databases, particularly for applications with significant data availability requirements such as machine learning and artificial intelligence. Data replication provides one avenue by which CIS data can be made more readily available. Study Design and Methods: Members of the AABB's Information Systems Committee along with institutional information technology colleagues provided a multi‐institutional viewpoint on data replication through the lens of BCTS specific use cases. Case studies of informatics offerings leveraging such technologies were also elicited. Results: Six distinct use cases describe the potential role of data replication including the creation of data warehouses for frontline laboratory staff. Specific BCTS examples for each use case are presented to highlight the value of data replication, including visualization of critical inventory (O red blood cells, HLA‐compatible platelets) and utilization analytics for patient blood management. Two case studies describe the approach to implement such technologies to (1) optimize staffing via laboratory workload reporting and (2) improve access to blood via antigen‐negative blood product location services. Discussion: Data replication and warehousing can empower BCTS analytic offerings not otherwise natively available through one's CIS to improve patient care and laboratory operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Groundwater is the main source of drinking water for a number of towns in north-eastern Algeria located in the downstream subbasin of the Oued Guebli, namely the urban areas of Ouled Ma'zouz, Hadjria and Guergoura, which are facing a serious threat of groundwater deterioration due to various sources of contaminants. In this respect, the present work focuses on studying the groundwater hydrochemistry of the shallow aquifer within the Collo plain, identifying drinking water quality levels and observing spatial evolution by combining statistical indexing approaches with GIS mapping techniques. To this end, thirty (30) groundwater samples were taken and analysed for thirteen (13) physico-chemical parameters to evaluate water quality. The Entropy-weighted Water Quality Index (EWQI) model was selected to ascertain groundwater potability using the drinking water limits of World Health Organization (WHO). The EWQI mapping showed that 50% of the samples analyzed belong to the "good" water quality class (EWQI<100), 43% to the "fair" quality class (100150). This poor class is mainly located in the littoral zone to the north-west of the plain (Ouled Ma'zouz), where anthropogenic activities are concentrated, such as agricultural activities and untreated domestic discharges, as well as marine intrusion caused by overexploitation of the aquifer, are considered to have a much greater impact on groundwater quality in the study area. A strong positive correlation was recorded between the EWQI and EC, Na+, Cl-, NO3-, NH4+, NO2- and PO43- (R² >0.7), revealing that these elements strongly influence the EWQI values and are the elements responsible for the degradation of water quality in the study area. These results will help decision-makers to protect the groundwater of the Collo plain from degrading anthropogenic practices, and to ensure continuous monitoring of water quality and its sustainable management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study reported herein describes the synthesis of benzothiadiazole(BTD)-N-heterocycle derivatives by metal-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions with relatively good yields. The photophysical characteristics of these derivatives were assessed in solution through UV-vis absorption and steady-state fluorescence emission spectroscopies. These compounds show absorption maxima in the violet to blue region, related to spin and symmetry-allowed 1π → π* electronic transitions. The BTDs display fluorescence in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum, depending on their chemical structure and solvent, ranging from 499 to 570 nm. It was demonstrated that both ground and excited states are influenced by the substituents in the BTD core. In addition, a proof of concept was presented using these compounds as sensors for water in an organic environment. Theoretical calculations data provided a comprehensive insight into the structural and electronic factors that govern the photophysical behavior of these compounds. Solvent-induced twists result in a blueshift in the UV-vis spectra. The molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) provides insights into interactions, revealing that the addition of water influences both emission and molecular structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]