PubMed · 16815422
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Mesut Erdurmus, Bahri Aydin, Ramazan Yagci, Remzi Karadag, Ugurcan Keskin. 2006. IOP variation.. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ophtha.2006.03.029
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The internal circadian rhythms of cells and organisms coordinate their physiological properties to the prevailing 24-h cycle of light and dark on earth. The mechanisms generating circadian rhythms have four defining characteristics: they oscillate endogenously with period close to 24 h, entrain to external signals, suffer phase shifts by aberrant pulses of light or temperature, and compensate for changes in temperature over a range of 10 degrees C or more. Most theoretical descriptions of circadian rhythms propose that the underlying mechanism generates a stable limit cycle oscillation (in constant darkness or dim light), because limit cycles quite naturally possess the first three defining properties of circadian rhythms. On the other hand, the period of a limit cycle oscillator is typically very sensitive to kinetic rate constants, which increase markedly with temperature. Temperature compensation is therefore not a general property of limit cycle oscillations but must be imposed by some delicate balance of temperature dependent effects. However, "delicate balances" are unlikely to be robust to mutations. On the other hand, if circadian rhythms arise from a mechanism that concentrates sensitivity into a few rate constants, then the "balancing act" is likely to be more robust and evolvable. We propose a switch-like mechanism for circadian rhythms that concentrates period sensitivity in just two parameters, by forcing the system to alternate between a stable steady state and a stable limit cycle.
PURPOSE: To investigate visual performance after overnight orthokeratology in terms of changes from baseline values, regression of the orthokeratology effect over time, and evaluation of the best-corrected vision after treatment. In particular, to evaluate any residual visual deficits over the duration of a day due to the abnormal corneal topography induced by orthokeratology treatment. METHOD: One eye of each of six subjects was fitted with custom designed BE orthokeratology lenses (Capricornia, Brisbane, Australia), with the fellow eye acting as a control. Unaided vision, subjective sphero-cylindrical refraction, high contrast high luminance visual acuity, low contrast high luminance visual acuity, high contrast low luminance visual acuity and letter contrast sensitivity were measured at baseline and after one night (Day 1) and eight nights (Day 8) of lens wear. Except for baseline, data were collected after overnight lens wear immediately after lens removal, and again 3, 6 and 9h after lens removal. At each time point throughout the day, the visual performance measures were evaluated with the initial refraction of the day (the 0h refraction) and also using the optimum subjective refraction at each measurement time. This method was used to evaluate the practical visual performance to be expected after orthokeratology treatment and the residual visual deficits arising from any induced corneal changes after correction of defocus. RESULTS: As expected, orthokeratology lens wear significantly changed unaided vision and refraction from baseline. However, it did not significantly affect visual acuity in different contrast conditions, or contrast sensitivity. The spherical component of refraction was the only parameter to exhibit regression over each day (p=0.021), with more stability demonstrated on Day 8 than Day 1 (p=0.012). There were no statistically significant changes of best-corrected acuity from baseline in the differing contrast and luminance conditions. CONCLUSION: Apart from the predicted improvements in unaided vision and reduction of the myopic refractive error, orthokeratology treatment was not found to significantly change any other aspects of visual acuity and contrast sensitivity. All visual performance measures exhibited stability over a 9-h period. Spherical refractive error changed significantly on Day 1 but became stable after a week of treatment. These results indicate that the corneal topography changes induced by orthokeratology do not induce changes in aberrations that are large enough to significantly diminish visual performance.
Knowledge of sap flow variability in tree trunks is important for up-scaling transpiration from the measuring point to the whole-tree and stand levels. Natural variability in sap flow, both radial and circumferential, was studied in the trunks and branches of mature olive trees (Olea europea L., cv Coratina) by the heat field deformation method using multi-point sensors. Sapwood depth ranged from 22 to 55 mm with greater variability in trunks than in branches. Two asymmetric types of sap flow radial patterns were observed: Type 1, rising to a maximum near the mid-point of the sapwood; and Type 2, falling continuously from a maximum just below cambium to zero at the inner boundary of the sapwood. The Type 1 pattern was recorded more often in branches and smaller trees. Both types of sap flow radial patterns were observed in trunks of the sample trees. Sap flow radial patterns were rather stable during the day, but varied with soil water changes. A decrease in sap flow in the outermost xylem was related to water depletion in the topsoil. We hypothesized that the variations in sap flow radial pattern in a tree trunk reflects a vertical distribution of water uptake that varies with water availability in different soil layers.