Assessment of Residential Housing in Léogâne, Haiti, and Identification of Needs for Rebuilding after the January 2010 Earthquake

2011 ◽  
Vol 27 (1_suppl1) ◽  
pp. 299-322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dustin Mix ◽  
Tracy Kijewski-Correa ◽  
Alexandros A. Taflanidis

Two months after the 2010 Haiti Earthquake, a reconnaissance team from the University of Notre Dame traveled to Léogâne with a follow up trip in August 2010. The team sought to determine the failure modes for residential housing in the area and survey the structural systems, construction materials, building practices, and non-engineering constraints that dictate these practices. The failure modes observed were commonly initiated from undersized/under-reinforced columns, though even structures with adequately sized columns sustained significant damage due to shear forces transferred by stiff but brittle unreinforced masonry walls. Inadequate seismic detailing of reinforced concrete elements, deficient materials and construction practices, and lack of seismic considerations in the design of structural systems with sufficient lateral interconnectivity were also observed. Finally, strategies now being pursued by the authors will be showcased in an effort to develop multihazard-resilient housing that can be sustained locally.

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Stättermayer ◽  
F Riedl ◽  
S Bernhofer ◽  
A Stättermayer ◽  
A Mayer ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 204-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelsey Hayward ◽  
Sabrina H. Han ◽  
Alexander Simko ◽  
Hector E. James ◽  
Philipp R. Aldana

OBJECTIVEThe objective of this study was to examine the socioeconomic benefits to the patients and families attending a regional pediatric neurosurgery telemedicine clinic (PNTMC).METHODSA PNTMC was organized by the Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery of the University of Florida College of Medicine–Jacksonville based at Wolfson Children’s Hospital and by the Children’s Medical Services (CMS) to service the Southeast Georgia Health District. Monthly clinics are held with the CMS nursing personnel at the remote location. A retrospective review of the clinic population was performed, socioeconomic data were extracted, and cost savings were calculated.RESULTSClinic visits from August 2011 through January 2017 were reviewed. Fifty-five patients were seen in a total of 268 initial and follow-up PNTMC appointments. The average round-trip distance for a family from home to the University of Florida Pediatric Neurosurgery (Jacksonville) clinic location versus the PNTMC remote location was 190 versus 56 miles, respectively. The families saved an average of 2.5 hours of travel time and 134 miles of travel distance per visit. The average transportation cost savings for all visits per family and for all families was $180 and $9711, respectively. The average lost work cost savings for all visits per family and for all families was $43 and $2337, respectively. The combined transportation and work cost savings for all visits totaled $223 per family and $12,048 for all families. Average savings of $0.68/mile and $48.50/visit in utilizing the PNTMC were calculated.CONCLUSIONSManaging pediatric neurosurgery patients and their families via telemedicine is feasible and saves families substantial travel time, travel cost, and time away from work.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Kimberly L. Yan ◽  
Nerissa U. Ko ◽  
Steven W. Hetts ◽  
Shantel Weinsheimer ◽  
Adib A. Abla ◽  
...  

Background: Sporadic brain arteriovenous malformations (BAVM) are a major cause of hemorrhagic stroke in younger persons. Prior studies have reported contradictory results regarding the risk of hemorrhage during pregnancy, and there are no standard guidelines for the management of pregnant women who present with BAVM rupture. The purpose of this study is to describe maternal and fetal outcomes and treatment strategies in patients with BAVM hemorrhage during pregnancy. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of the University of California, San Francisco Brain AVM Project database for female patients who were pregnant at the time of BAVM hemorrhage between 2000 and 2017. Clinical and angiographic characteristics at presentation, BAVM treatment, and maternal outcomes using modified Rankin scale (mRS) score at presentation and 2-year follow-up were recorded. Fetal outcomes were abstracted from medical records and maternal reports. Results: Sixteen patients presented with BAVM hemorrhage during pregnancy, 81% (n = 13) of whom were in their second or third trimester. Three patients (19%) who were in their first trimester terminated or miscarried pregnancy prior to BAVM intervention. Of the remaining 13 patients, 77% (n = 10) received emergent BAVM treatment at time of hemorrhage prior to delivery, and 85% of patients achieved BAVM obliteration and good maternal outcomes (mRS 0–2) at 2-year follow-up. All patients had uncomplicated deliveries (69% cesarean and 23% vaginal) with no reports of postnatal cognitive or developmental delays in infants at 2-year follow-up. Conclusions: Our study shows good long-term maternal and fetal outcomes in ruptured BAVM patients presenting during pregnancy, the majority who received BAVM interventional treatment prior to delivery.


2016 ◽  
Vol 711 ◽  
pp. 982-988
Author(s):  
Alex Brodsky ◽  
David Z. Yankelevsky

Numerous studies have been conducted on the in plane behavior of masonry infill walls to lateral loading simulating earthquake action on buildings. The present study is focused on a problem that has almost not been studied regarding the vertical (opposed to lateral) in-plane action on these walls. This may be of concern when a supporting column of a multi-storey reinforced concrete frame with infill masonry walls undergoes a severe damage due to an extreme loading such as a strong earthquake, car impact or military or terror action in proximity to the column. The loss of the supporting column may cause a fully or partly progressive collapse to a bare reinforced concrete frame, without infill masonry walls. The presence of the infill masonry walls may restrain the process and prevent the development of a progressive collapse. The aim of the present study is to test the in-plane composite action of Reinforced Concrete (RC) frames with infill masonry walls under vertical loading through laboratory experiments and evaluate the contributions of infill masonry walls, in an attempt to examine the infill masonry wall added resistance to the bare frame under these circumstances. Preliminary results of laboratory tests that have been conducted on reinforced concrete infilled frames without a support at their end, under monotonic vertical loading along that column axis will be presented. The observed damages and failure modes under vertical loading are clearly different from the already known failure modes observed in the case of lateral loading.


2013 ◽  
Vol 57 (1-2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rolf Sternberg

Occupational fields and career prospects of economic geographers. Empirical evidence from a graduate follow-up study at the Leibniz Universität Hannover and conclusions for teaching at universities. The employability of the alumni has become an important aspect of university teaching in Germany since bachelor and master courses were introduced some years ago. This also applies for the university education of economic geographers. The paper demonstrates the increased and still increasing relevance of employability for economic geographers studying at German universities. Based on data for 295 economic geography graduates from the Leibniz Universität Hannover it is shown that such alumni have rather good career opportunities to achieve both high income and satisfying work conditions. Adequate specialization of the curriculum, excellence in teaching and research, and a close relationship between university teaching (and teachers) and the professional world outside the university are important conditions for successful alumni.


2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 329-332 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gordon Ehrensing ◽  
Linden E. Craig

We evaluated 134 cutaneous plasmacytomas in 125 dogs submitted to the University of Tennessee surgical biopsy service between 2009 and 2012 to determine whether the presence of intravascular neoplastic cells had prognostic significance. Tumors occurred in middle-aged to geriatric dogs (range: 5–16 y, mean: 9.6 y) and most frequently involved the skin of the head and distal limbs. Diagnoses were made based on light microscopy, and in some cases confirmed by immunoreactivity of neoplastic cells for MUM1. Tumors were categorized as having or not having intravascular neoplastic cells within sections examined. The intravascular location of tumor cells was confirmed by immunoreactivity of endothelial cells for factor VIII–related antigen in 3 cases. Neoplastic cells within vessel lumens were identified in 20 of 125 dogs (16%). Submitting veterinary practices were contacted for follow-up data on patients including local recurrence and cutaneous plasmacytomas in other locations. Follow-up information was acquired on 99 dogs (79%). Recurrence was documented in one dog with cutaneous plasmacytomas; both masses had incomplete margins and intravascular neoplastic cells. Additional distant cutaneous plasmacytomas were later diagnosed in 3 patients; none of these dogs had intravascular neoplastic cells. In no cases were cutaneous plasmacytomas suspected to be a cause of death or reason for euthanasia. Intravascular neoplastic cells were more common in tumors of the distal limbs (36%) compared to other locations (11%; p = 0.0007). The presence of intravascular neoplastic cells did not affect prognosis in cutaneous plasmacytomas.


1979 ◽  
Vol 87 (3) ◽  
pp. 359-363 ◽  
Author(s):  
John V. O'Neill ◽  
Arthur H. Katz ◽  
Emanuel M. Skolnik

Radiation therapy has proved to be a valuable modality in the management of patients with nasopharyngeal tumors. Routine follow-up of patients in the tumor clinic of the University of Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary appeared to indicate an increasing incidence of otologic pathology. For this reason, a retrospective study focusing on the otologic findings in patients whose radiation therapy for nasopharyngeal tumors included the external auditory canal, middle ear space, or eustachian tube was performed. The results of this study are discussed in relationship to total radiation dosage, time of survival after therapy, and pretreatment otologic status. The complications covered a spectrum from intermittent serous otitis media to osteoradionecrosis of the external auditory canal. Possible contributing factors are discussed, and preventive measures are suggested.


Author(s):  
Lindsey Gakenheimer ◽  
Hari S Conjeevaram

Purpose: The University of Michigan Student Run Free Clinic (UMSRFC) provides primary care to uninsured adults in Southeast Michigan. Optimal management of chronic conditions, such as hypertension, is one of the clinic’s primary goals. Our aim was to evaluate UMSRFC’s success in meeting the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Service’s (CMS’s) goal of blood pressure (BP) within the recommended values for ≥63% of clinic patients diagnosed with hypertension. Methods: A retrospective chart review identified hypertensive patients with at least two UMSRFC visits between April 2012 and July 2013. Age, sex, ethnicity, body mass index, medications, blood pressure (BP), and comorbidities were extracted and stored in an online database. Patients were separated into two groups: those with controlled hypertension (≤140/90 mmHg for systolic/diastolic BP) at their most recent clinic date and those with uncontrolled hypertension (>140/90 mmHg for systolic/diastolic BP) at the most recent clinic visit. Results: Of 43 patients presenting with hypertension, 26 (60.5%) met inclusion criteria. The average age was 52.3 +/- 2.0 years, and 12 (46.2%) were male. The majority (17, 65.4%) of patients self-identified as Caucasian, and 24 (92.4%) were from Southeast Michigan. Follow-up BP was controlled for 17 (65.4%) patients. All 6 (23.1%) patients controlled at initial visit remained controlled at follow-up, and 15 (75%) of those uncontrolled at initial visit were controlled at follow-up. BP control among diabetic patients improved the most: from 1 (16.7%) to 5 (83.3%) (p=0.833) achieving control; statistical insignificance is likely due to sample size. Most patients reduced their BP with the addition of medications, but 2 (7.8%) achieved control with lifestyle changes (eg. reduced salt intake, increased exercise or improved home BP recording adherence) alone. Conclusions: UMSRFC has marginally exceeded CMS’s benchmark with 17 (65.4%) of patients with hypertension having a controlled blood pressure at follow-up. While this result demonstrates that a free clinic working with an uninsured population can provide quality care, UMSRFC will continue to work diligently toward the goal of controlled BP for 100% of patients with hypertension.


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