An improved model based on the support vector machine and cuckoo algorithm for simulating reference evapotranspiration.

Reference evapotranspiration (ET0) plays a fundamental role in irrigated agriculture. The objective of this study is to simulate monthly ET0 at a meteorological station in India using a new method, an improved support vector machine (SVM) based on the cuckoo algorithm (CA), which is known as SVM-CA. Maximum temperature, minimum temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and sunshine hours were selected as inputs for the models used in the simulation.

Clinicopathological study of lacrimal sac specimens obtained during DCR.

Purpose: To determine the histopathologic characteristics of lacrimal sac specimens in adult patients undergoing external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) for acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

Methods: A total of 471 lacrimal sac biopsies were obtained from 449 patients undergoing external DCR for symptoms or signs of acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction and examined histopathologically.

Results: A total of 449 subjects including 283 (63%) female and 166 (37%) male subjects with mean age of 50.