scholarly journals Effects of Roughness Coefficients and Complex Hillslope Morphology on Runoff Variables under Laboratory Conditions

Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 2550 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masoud Meshkat ◽  
Nosratollah Amanian ◽  
Ali Talebi ◽  
Mahboobeh Kiani-Harchegani ◽  
Jesús Rodrigo-Comino
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Peak Discharge ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
P Value ◽  
Rainfall Runoff ◽  
Runoff Generation ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Time Of Concentration ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Impact

The geometry of hillslopes (plan and profile) affects soil erosion under rainfall-runoff processes. This issue comprises of several factors, which must be identified and assessed if efficient control measures are to be designed. The main aim of the current research was to investigate the impact of surface Roughness Coefficients (RCs) and Complex Hillslopes (CHs) on runoff variables viz. time of generation, time of concentration, and peak discharge value. A total of 81 experiments were conducted with a rainfall intensity of 7 L min−1 on three types of soils with different RCs (i.e., low = 0.015, medium = 0.016, and high = 0.018) and CHs (i.e., profile curvature and plan shape). An inclination of 20% was used for three replications. The results indicate a significant difference (p-value ≤ 0.001) in the above-mentioned runoff variables under different RCs and CHs. Our investigation of the combined effects of RCs and CHs on the runoff variables shows that the plan and profile impacts are consistent with a variation in RC. This can implicate that at low RC, the effect of the plan shape (i.e., convergent) on runoff variables increases but at high RC, the impact of the profile curvature overcomes the plan shapes and the profile curvature’s changes become the criteria for changing the behavior of the runoff variables. The lowest mean values of runoff generation and time of concentration were obtained in the convex-convergent and the convex-divergent at 1.15 min and 2.68 min, respectively, for the soil with an RC of 0.015. The highest mean of peak discharge was obtained in the concave-divergent CH in the soil with an RC of 0.018. We conclude that these results can be useful in order to design planned soil erosion control measures where the soil roughness and slope morphology play a key role in activating runoff generation.

scholarly journals The Impact of an Educational Program on Medical Students’ Knowledge and Awareness of Elder Abuse

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 238212052110164
Author(s):  
Abbie West ◽  
Cara Cawley ◽  
Elizabeth Crow ◽  
Alexis M. Stoner ◽  
Natalie M. Fadel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Educational Program ◽  
Survey Methodology ◽  
Elder Abuse ◽  
P Value ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Survey Results ◽  
Second Year ◽  
College Of Osteopathic Medicine ◽  
The Impact

Objective: Approximately 1 in 6 adults 60 and older have experienced a form of abuse in the past year. Many cases remain under-reported due to lack of knowledge and awareness. This study created an educational program on elder abuse for medical students to determine if participation would increase knowledge and awareness of elder abuse. Methods: This study used a pre and post survey methodology to evaluate students’ knowledge and awareness of elder abuse before and after participating in this educational program. Sixty first and second year osteopathic medical students at the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Carolinas Campus participated in this study. Students were emailed a pre-survey to evaluate their pre-existing knowledge and awareness. The survey was, previously created by the Student Training on Preventing Domestic Violence (STOP-DV) team using validated measures. Participants then attended educational events about various forms of elder abuse and recognizing its associated signs, and afterward completed the post-survey. The results were compared using t-tests to determine if there was a significant difference. Results: First and second year students differed significantly in pre-survey results of knowledge but not post-survey results. The results showed a significant difference in overall mean knowledge ( P-value < .001) and awareness scores ( P-value < .001) in all students. Conclusion: These results suggest education on elder abuse can enable future physicians to better recognize, understand, and support older adults regarding elder maltreatment.

617 Who Benefits the Most from Burn Camps?

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S162-S163
Author(s):  
Jennifer B Radics-Johnson ◽  
Daniel W Chacon ◽  
Li Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Retrospective Review ◽  
Burn Injury ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Categorical Variables ◽  
P Value ◽  
Continuous Variables ◽  
Self Evaluation ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Return Home ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Introduction Burn camps provide a unique environment and activities for children that have experienced a burn-injury. Positive outcomes from attending burn camp include increased self-esteem, decreased feelings of isolation and a greater sense of self-confidence. In a 3-year retrospective review of camper evaluations from one of the largest and longest running week-long burn camps in the nation for ages 5–17, we aimed to assess if a child’s gender, age, TBSA or ethnicity affected the impact that burn camp had on a child. Methods A 3-year retrospective review of a Burn Camp’s camper evaluation forms was conducted for campers that attended burn camp between 2017–2019. Camp rosters were reviewed to determine the camper gender, age, TBSA and ethnicity. Camper self-evaluation forms completed at the end of each camp session were reviewed to record camper responses to questions regarding their opinions on the impact camp had on them as well as how camp will impact their lives once they return home. Categorical variables were summarized as frequency and percentage, and continuous variables were described as median and range. To check the relationship between two categorical variables, Chi-square test was used. To compare the continuous variable among groups, Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA was used. Statistical significance was declared based on a p value&lt; 0.5. Results Within 2017–2019, there were 413 camper records. Participants’ demographic characteristics are summarized in Table 1. There were 208 males (50.3%) and 205 females (49.6%). The median age of campers were 11.86, 12.44 and 12.45 for 2017–2019, with the range from 5.16 years to 17.96 years. The median TBSA were 20, 20 and 18 for 2017–2019, with the range from 0.08 to 90. Collectively there were 47.7% Hispanic (n= 197); 24.2% Whites (n=100); 13.1% Black (n= 54); 4.6% Asian (n=19) and 7.7% Other (n=32). There were 395 camper self-evaluation forms submitted. Results of three questions there we were interested in are summarized collectively in Table 2. 57% of campers responded, “Yes, Definitely” to the question “After going to this event, will you feel more comfortable being around your classmates or friends?” 54% responded, “ Yes, Definitely” to the question “Do you feel more confidents in sharing your burn story with others when returning home?” and 51% responded “Yes, Definitely” to “Did you learn anything that will help you when you return home?” Conclusions In analyzing the camper responses, there was no statistically significant difference in responses comparing gender, age, TBSA or ethnicity.

TO COMPARE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF NEBULISATION WITH ADRENALINE, 3% HYPERTONIC SALINE AND NORMAL SALINE IN BRONCHIOLITIS IN CHILDREN OF 2 TO 24 MONTHS OF AGE BASED ON CLINICAL SEVERITY SCORE AND NEBULISATION FREQUENCY.

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Priyanka Jain ◽  
Rakesh Jain
Keyword(s):  
Hypertonic Saline ◽  
Normal Saline ◽  
Mean Difference ◽  
Clinical Severity ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
P Value ◽  
College Hospital ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean

Background & Method: We conducted a double blinded study at Index Medical College Hospital & Research Centre, Indore. The sample size was determined to be minimum of 120 cases as based upon previous years admission due to acute bronchiolitis. Initially, 146 cases were included in the study out of which 23 cases dropped out of the study after giving consent by guardian for participation in the study as they left against medical advice from the hospital. Result: The mean difference of CSS between 0 minutes to 60 minutes of nebulisation between groups in all cases was 0.4 ± 0.6, between 60 minutes and 4 hours was 0.8 ± 0.6, between 4 to 8 hours was 0.7 ± 0.6, between 8-12 hours was 0.6 ± 0.4, between 12-24 hours was 1.6 ± 0.9 and between 24-48 hours was 1.9 ± 0.9.The mean values and resultant p-value of ANOVA of various nebulising agents used for improvement in CSS shows significant association between various nebulising agents used along with improvement in CSS at the end of assessment at 48 hours of treatment. Conclusion: This study was conducted to establish the efficacy of each nebulisation agent (i.e.  adrenaline, 3% hypertonic saline and normal saline) currently used and compare the outcomes as there is not enough evidence amongst Indian population on level of efficacy of each drug in causing improvement in symptoms and signs in various severities of bronchiolitis in early childhood. Comparison of significant improvement in mean difference in CSS at various intervals in all cases compared between groups by post hoc test revealed non-significant difference (p-value 0.700) between 3% hypertonic saline and normal saline. Keywords: nebulisation, adrenaline, bronchiolitis & clinical.

A Randomized, Double Blind Clinical Study to Assess the Effects of a Gamma-oryzanol-enriched Rice Bran Oil on Lipid Profile in the Hypercholesterolemic Patients

2021 ◽  
Vol 104 (Suppl. 1) ◽  
pp. S64-S69
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factor ◽  
Cholesterol Level ◽  
Rice Bran ◽  
Serum Cholesterol ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Rice Bran Oil ◽  
P Value ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Gamma Oryzanol ◽  
The Impact

Background: Hypercholesterolemia is a risk factor for developing coronary artery disease. Lifestyle modification including an intake of healthy food as well as medication have approved effect in lowering serum cholesterol. Objective: The primary objective of the present study was to determine the impact of a gamma-oryzanol-enriched rice bran oil, a product of Thailand, on serum cholesterol level. Materials and Methods: A total of in 54 hypercholesterolemic patients were divided into two groups; RBOh (20,000 ppm of gammaoryzanol, n = 27), and RBOn (5,000 ppm gamma-oryzanol, n = 27). The assigned RBO (15 ml) was intake each day for 8 weeks. Fasting serum lipids were measured at baseline and at the 4th and 8th weeks of the intervention. All patients were advised about lifestyle modifications. Results: When compared to the baseline, subjects received RBOh showed a significant difference in 2 parameters including a reduction of cholesterol level at 8th weeks (p-value = 0.0101), and decrease in LDL-C level at the end of 8th weeks (p-value = 0.0013). In the group treated with RBOn, a significant increase in HDL-C level at the end of 8th weeks (p-value = 0.0303) without any effect on total cholesterol or LDL was observed. No sign of toxic effect on liver or renal functions was seen in both treatment groups. Conclusion: RBO with gamma-oryzanol-enriched could decrease cholesterol and LDL-C level in hypercholesterolemic patients. Therefore, gamma-oryzanol-enriched RBO is a functional food that may reduce cardiovascular disease risk factor. Keywords: Hypercholesterolemia, Rice bran oil, Gamma-oryzanol, Oryza sativa

Regulation and Critical Threshold of Grass Cover on Slope Runoff in LoessHilly Gully Region under Artificial

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiufen Zhang ◽  
Xizhi Lv ◽  
Rongxin Chen ◽  
Yongxin Ni ◽  
Li Ma
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Rainfall Intensity ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Vegetation Coverage ◽  
Critical Threshold ◽  
Runoff Generation ◽  
Grassland Vegetation ◽  
Slope Flow ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Slope Runoff

&lt;p&gt;The slope runoff caused by rainstorm is the main cause of serious soil and water loss in the loess hilly area, the grassland vegetation has a good inhibitory effect on the slope runoff, it is of great significance to reveal the role of grassland vegetation in the process of runoff generation and control mechanism for controlling soil erosion in this area. In this study, typical grassland slopes in hilly and gully regions of the loess plateau were taken as research objects. Through artificial rainfall in the field, the response rules of slope rainfall-runoff process to different grass coverage were explored. The results show that: (1) The time for the slope flow to stabilize is prolonged with the increase of vegetation coverage, and shortened with the increase of rainfall intensity; (2) At 60 mm&amp;#183;h &lt;sup&gt;&amp;#8722;1&lt;/sup&gt; rainfall intensity, the threshold of grassland vegetation coverage is 75.38%; at 90 mm&amp;#183;h&lt;sup&gt; &amp;#8722;1&lt;/sup&gt; rainfall intensity, the threshold of grassland vegetation coverage is 90.54%; at 120 mm&amp;#183;h &lt;sup&gt;&amp;#8722;1&lt;/sup&gt; rainfall intensity, the impact of grassland vegetation coverage on runoff is not significant; (3) the Reynolds number and Froude number of slope flow are 40.07&amp;#8210;695.22 and 0.33&amp;#8210;1.56 respectively, the drag coefficient is 1.42&amp;#8210;43.53. Under conditions of heavy rainfall, the ability of grassland to regulate slope runoff is limited. If only turf protection is considered, about 90% of grassland coverage can effectively cope with soil erosion caused by climatic conditions in loess hilly and gully regions. Therefore, in loess hilly areas where heavy rains frequently occur, grassland's protective effect on soil erosion is obviously insufficient, and investment in vegetation measures for trees and shrubs should be strengthened.&lt;/p&gt;

scholarly journals Clinical significance of prostatic-urethral angulation on the treatment outcome of patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia treated with tamsulosin hydrochloride

2015 ◽  
Vol 87 (3) ◽  
pp. 238
Author(s):  
Hassan El-Tatawy ◽  
Tarek Gameel ◽  
Mohammed Abo El-enen ◽  
Ayman Hagras ◽  
Ayman Mousa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia ◽  
Clinical Significance ◽  
Treatment Efficacy ◽  
Specific Antigen ◽  
Prostatic Hyperplasia ◽  
Final Conclusion ◽  
P Value ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Group A ◽  
The Impact

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of the prostatic-urethral angulation (PUA) on the treatment efficacy of selective alpha-1A receptor blocker in male patients with lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (LUTS/BPH). Materials and methods: A total of 80 patients with LUTS/BPH and with mean age 53.3 ± 6.3 (range 47-70) were included in our prospective comparative study. The patients were classified into 2 groups as a consecutive cases 40 in each one depending on the PUA either ≤ 35° (group A) or &gt; 35° (group B). PUA and different prostatic parameters were measured using transrectal ultrasound. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA), the International Prostate Symptom Score and quality of life score (IPSS/QoL score), maximum flow rate (Q<sub>max</sub>), and postvoid residual (PVR) volume were compared between the groups. The clinical significance of PUA was evaluated after 8 weeks of medical treatment with tamsulosin hydrochloride 0.4 mg daily. Results: Baseline evaluation (pre-treatment) for both groups were comparable to each other with no clinically significant difference regarding age, PSA, IPSS/QoL score, Qmax and PVR volume (P-value &gt; 0.05). Comparison of parameters after 8 weeks showed that tamsulosin hydrochloride improved the total IPSS and all subscores (P &lt; 0.001), QoL (P = 0.001), Q<sub>max</sub> (P = 0.002), and PVR (P = 0.04) in group A (Table 1). Conclusion: Tamsulosin hydrochloride appears to be less effective in improving IPSS/Qol score, Qmax and PVR in patients with lager PUA. The PUA might be a predictor for the treatment efficacy of α-blockers and more studies are warranted in the future before the final conclusion.

TO WHAT EXTENT DOES THE VANCOMYCIN ASSAY CONTRIBUTE TO THE VARIABILITY IN VANCOMYCIN CONCENTRATION ESTIMATES IN NEONATES?

2015 ◽  
Vol 101 (1) ◽  
pp. e1.10-e1 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Samardžić ◽  
A. Smits ◽  
V. Cossey ◽  
I. Soldatović ◽  
M. Bajčetić ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Characteristics ◽  
Therapeutic Drug ◽  
P Value ◽  
Congenital Diseases ◽  
Vancomycin Concentration ◽  
Young Infants ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Postmenstrual Age ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Trough Levels

*presenting author, supported by ERAWEB II scholarship for postdoctoral program at the KU Leuven, Belgium (2014–2015)IntroductionVancomycin, a glycopeptide antibiotic, is frequently used for late onset sepsis (LOS) and catheter-related infection. Larger inter- and intra-patient variability, combined with a narrow therapeutic index, warrants therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM). However, large inter-individual variability in PK parameters in neonates is documented, only partly explained by covariates such as weight, age or serum creatinine (1,2). In the current study, we focus on the potential impact of between assay differences for vancomycin (3) on the variability in its concentration in a single neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).MethodsVancomycin TDM observations of neonates and young infants treated with intravenous vancomycin, mainly for (suspected) LOS (ie, >72 hours after birth), in the Leuven NICU, Belgium, between June 2011 and December 2014. Our patient population, consists of (pre)term neonates, inborn or transferred, in need of specialized care related to prematurity, infections, perinatal asphyxia, congenital diseases (eg, surgery for cardiopathy, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, or esophageal atresia), or other diseases. Clinical characteristics at birth, as well as characteristics at the moment of TDM were extracted from the patient files. We aimed to document early vancomycin exposure, therefore only first trough levels were included. Serum vancomycin assay was performed either with a particle-enhanced turbidimetric inhibitionimmunoassay method (Siemens Dimension; Dade Behring, Deerfield, Illinois–PETINIA) or with an enzyme multiplied immunoassay technique (Cobas c702; Roche Diagnostics, Basel, Germany–COBAS). The data were analyzed by Chi-square test, t test and Mann-Whitney U test. Linear Mix Model was used to assess significant differences between groups, when adjusting for confounding factors. Data were analyzed in SPSS 20.0 (IBM corp.), p-value <0.05 was significant.ResultsIn total, 564 vancomycin TDM observations, 311 assayed with PETINIA and 253 with COBAS, were included. Both cohorts had comparable clinical characteristics (median [min-max] current weight 2150 [420–5000] grams for PETINIA vs. 2120 [500–5840] grams for COBAS, and median postmenstrual age 35 [25–58] weeks for PETINIA vs. 35 [25–51] weeks for COBAS). We determined the significant difference between the vancomycin concentrations using two different immunoassays: PETINIA vs. COBAS (F=17.971; p<0.001). When adjusting for current body weight and postmenstrual age, the major covariates associated with vancomycin serum trough levels in neonates, the difference in vancomycin concentration between cohorts was statistically significant (F=17.076, p<0.001, F=18.951, p<0.001, respectively). Overall, immunoassays PETINIA and COBAS significantly differed by vancomycin concentrations when adjusting for covariates, and the mean difference for vancomycin concentration was 2.167 mg/l.ConclusionThe present study confirms the impact of assays on the variability in vancomycin concentration in neonates in a single NICU. Comparison between these two immunoassays showed a mean proportional differences >20%. Therefore, it is important to know how the vancomycin is measured when interpreting results, and particularly the transferability of vancomycin results between the laboratories has to be interpreted with caution.

scholarly journals Benefits and limitations of data assimilation for discharge forecasting using an event-based rainfall–runoff model

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 583-596 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Coustau ◽  
S. Ricci ◽  
V. Borrell-Estupina ◽  
C. Bouvier ◽  
O. Thual
Keyword(s):  
Data Assimilation ◽  
Hydrological Model ◽  
Peak Discharge ◽  
State Variables ◽  
Rainfall Runoff ◽  
Discharge Data ◽  
Southern France ◽  
Flood Peak ◽  
Event Based ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. Mediterranean catchments in southern France are threatened by potentially devastating fast floods which are difficult to anticipate. In order to improve the skill of rainfall-runoff models in predicting such flash floods, hydrologists use data assimilation techniques to provide real-time updates of the model using observational data. This approach seeks to reduce the uncertainties present in different components of the hydrological model (forcing, parameters or state variables) in order to minimize the error in simulated discharges. This article presents a data assimilation procedure, the best linear unbiased estimator (BLUE), used with the goal of improving the peak discharge predictions generated by an event-based hydrological model Soil Conservation Service lag and route (SCS-LR). For a given prediction date, selected model inputs are corrected by assimilating discharge data observed at the basin outlet. This study is conducted on the Lez Mediterranean basin in southern France. The key objectives of this article are (i) to select the parameter(s) which allow for the most efficient and reliable correction of the simulated discharges, (ii) to demonstrate the impact of the correction of the initial condition upon simulated discharges, and (iii) to identify and understand conditions in which this technique fails to improve the forecast skill. The correction of the initial moisture deficit of the soil reservoir proves to be the most efficient control parameter for adjusting the peak discharge. Using data assimilation, this correction leads to an average of 12% improvement in the flood peak magnitude forecast in 75% of cases. The investigation of the other 25% of cases points out a number of precautions for the appropriate use of this data assimilation procedure.

scholarly journals Sexual Function in Women With and Without Female Genital Mutilation in Reproductive Age in South of Iran

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahshid Bokaie ◽  
Samaneh Hatefi ◽  
Shahnaz Mojahed ◽  
Nasibeh Roozbeh
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Function ◽  
Female Genital Mutilation ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
P Value ◽  
Women Of Reproductive Age ◽  
Genital Mutilation ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Female Genital

Abstract Objectives: Female genital mutilation (FGM) is an important public health issue, especially in developing countries and it is still done in some parts of Iran. This study aimed to investigate the effect of FGM on the sexual function of women of reproductive age in Hormozgan province/IRAN.Study design: This study is a descriptive-analytical case-control study that was conducted in 2020 on 209 married women of reproductive age (15-49) in rural areas of Minab and Sirik counties in Hormozgan province/IRAN. Main outcome measures: The reliable and valid questionnaire FSFI for assessing female sexual function in the two groups was used after to obtain informed and voluntary consent from all participants and data with SPSS v: 16 software and with using descriptive/ Analytical statistics tests with a significant level of 0.05 were examined. Results: There is a significant difference between mutilated and non-mutilated women in the total score of sexual function(22.18±3.23 versus 23.41±2.52 respectively, p=0.023) and the domains of lubrication(3.04±0.62 versus 3.3±0.53 respectively, P=0.000), orgasm(3.81±0.63 versus 4.08±0.47 respectively, P=0.003), and sexual satisfaction(5.09±0.1 versus 5.37±0.87 respectively, P=0.017) But in the domains of desire, arousal, and pain in the two groups was no significant difference(P-value>0.05). Conclusion: FGM maybe leads to sexual dysfunction. Although most women were reluctant to perform mutilation on their daughters, more educational Actions are suggested to educate women about the impact of female mutilation on their sexual function. Counseling programs are also recommended to improve the sexual function of mutilated women.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document