Categories Of Conditions Research Articles

Potential of satellite-derived hydro-meteorological information for landslide initiation thresholds in Rwanda

Abstract. Satellite and hydrological model-based technologies provide estimates of rainfall and soil moisture over larger spatial scales and now cover multiple decades, sufficient to explore their value for the development of landslide early warning systems in data-scarce regions. In this study, we used statistical metrics to compare gauge-based and satellite-based precipitation products and assess their performance in landslide hazard assessment and warning in Rwanda. Similarly, the value of high-resolution satellite and hydrological model-derived soil moisture was compared to in situ soil moisture observations at Rwandan weather station sites. Based on statistical indicators, rainfall data from Integrated Multi-Satellite Retrievals for Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM_IMERG) showed the highest skill in reproducing the main spatiotemporal precipitation patterns at the study sites in Rwanda. Similarly, the satellite- and model-derived soil moisture time series broadly reproduce the most important trends of in situ soil moisture observations. We evaluated two categories of landslide meteorological triggering conditions from IMERG satellite precipitation: first, the maximum rainfall amount during a multi-day rainfall event, and second, the cumulative rainfall over the past few day(s). For each category, the antecedent soil moisture recorded at three levels of soil depth, the top 5 cm by satellite-based technologies as well as the top 50 cm and 2 m by modelling approaches, was included in the statistical models to assess its potential for landslide hazard assessment and warning capabilities. The results reveal the cumulative 3 d rainfall RD3 to be the most effective predictor for landslide triggering. This was indicated not only by its highest discriminatory power to distinguish landslide from no-landslide conditions (AUC ∼ 0.72), but also the resulting true positive alarms (TPRs) of ∼80 %. The modelled antecedent soil moisture in the 50 cm root zone Seroot(t−3) was the most informative hydrological variable for landslide hazard assessment (AUC ∼ 0.74 and TPR 84 %). The hydro-meteorological threshold models that incorporate the Seroot(t−3) and RD3 following the cause–trigger concept in a bilinear framework reveal promising results with improved landslide warning capabilities in terms of reduced rate of false alarms by ∼20 % at the expense of a minor reduction in true alarms by ∼8 %.

A critical evaluation of the EU-virtual consultation platform (CPMS) within the European Reference Network on Rare Endocrine Conditions.

In 2017, the European Commission installed 24 European Reference Networks (ERNs) for different categories of rare and complex conditions to facilitate cross-border health care via virtual case consultations in a secure Clinical Patient Management System (CPMS). The ERN for rare endocrine conditions (Endo-ERN) previously reviewed the CPMS, in which they detailed the difficulties physicians encountered with the system and proposed solutions to these that should enable the system to be used to a greater extent. This paper will further the endeavor of the first by performing a critical evaluation of the CPMS, assessing how these suggested improvements have been implemented, and if these have affected the usage of the system. The evaluation involves an assessment of CPMS usage statistics since its conception that takes into consideration the technical updates and the external factors that may have affected these, including data from a review survey following a training workshop for our new healthcare providers (HCPs) added in January 2022. It appears that the improvements made to the system since the first review, in particular the implementation of the Operational Helpdesk, have had a positive effect in increasing CPMS membership; however, the regular usage of the system continues to fluctuate. Several suggestions are made on how to further facilitate the use of CPMS by our members both individually and network-wide, by integrating CPMS activities with other network initiatives and further integrating these into national health care systems as well as looking for ways to measure patient satisfaction from the CPMS discussions outcomes.

On supersymmetric interface defects, brane parallel transport, order-disorder transition and homological mirror symmetry

We concentrate on a treatment of a Higgs-Coulomb duality as an absence of manifest phase transition between ordered and disordered phases of 2d mathcal{N} = (2, 2) theories. We consider these examples of QFTs in the Schrödinger picture and identify Hilbert spaces of BPS states with morphisms in triangulated categories of D-brane boundary conditions. As a result of Higgs-Coulomb duality D-brane categories on IR vacuum moduli spaces are equivalent, this resembles an analog of homological mirror symmetry. Following construction ideas behind the Gaiotto-Moore-Witten algebra of the infrared one is able to introduce interface defects in these theories and associate them to D-brane parallel transport functors. We concentrate on surveying simple examples, analytic when possible calculations, numerical estimates and simple physical picture behind curtains of geometric objects. Categorification of hypergeometric series analytic continuation is derived as an Atiyah flop of the conifold. Finally we arrive to an interpretation of the braid group action on the derived category of coherent sheaves on cotangent bundles to flag varieties as a categorification of Berry connection on the Fayet-Illiopolous parameter space of a sigma-model with a quiver variety target space.

Occupational hazards and the onset of natural menopause

ObjectiveTo identify occupational hazards associated with earlier onset of natural menopause. Study designA national cross-sectional study was conducted to explore the reproductive health of Chinese female workers. The final sample size was 17,948. Main outcome measuresParticipants completed a self-report instrument that recorded working conditions, chemical and physical agents in the occupational environment, socioeconomic factors, lifestyle, reproductive history, and occupational information. A Cox regression model was used to examine the association between each occupational hazard and onset of menopause. ResultsAbnormal workload (19.31 %), aromatic compounds (7.95 %), and noise (24.94 %) were the three most frequently self-reported occupational hazards in the three categories of working conditions, chemical agents, and physical agents, respectively. Abnormal workload (HR = 1.133, p = 0.038), noise (HR = 1.233, p < 0.001), and heat stress (HR = 1.178, p = 0.041) were associated with earlier age at natural menopause in the analyses of each hazard, after adjustment. Only noise (HR = 1.187, p = 0.003) remained statistically significant after including all possible occupational hazards. ConclusionsIn a national survey of 17,948 female workers, this study investigated the association of age at natural menopause with multiple occupational hazards, some of which have not been addressed. Occupational noise was identified as a risk factor for reproductive senescence for the first time. However, further research is needed to confirm our findings.

What are the mental health changes associated with the COVID-19 pandemic in people with medical conditions? An international survey

ObjectivesThe COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted mental health worldwide but there is paucity of knowledge regarding the level of change in mental health in people with a medical condition (physical/psychiatric)....

Boundary Conditions in Early-Stage Venturing Research: A Systematic Review

In this paper we problematize existing markers of entrepreneurial action as being subject to boundary conditions and we seek to make such boundary conditions explicit through the systematic scrutiny and review of empirical literature on early venturing. The value of doing so, we contend, is that by making explicit what the boundary conditions are we will be better able to develop an awareness of what may be potentially left out. More broadly, we hope to spur conversations about how we sample entrepreneurial actions in empirical studies and what this means in relation to the domain of entrepreneurship in a context that is increasingly calling for more inclusivity and contextualisation – indeed, under the theme of creating a better world together, togetherness issues from an implicit desire to be inclusive in how we treat others as well as ensuring that our research is able to capture and represent its subject matter in as comprehensive a manner as possible. We inductively develop four categories of boundary conditions for participants’ identification and recruitment in early-stage entrepreneurial research that are based on whether entrepreneurial action is being recognized and the epistemic positioning of that recognition. Our findings reveal that there is a predominance of attributing action entrepreneurial status in a way that is: - implied from context, whereby the latter is considered entrepreneurial; or - implied from the expressed intentionality of the individual, or - retrospectively inferred based on the characteristics of consequent endeavours.

Pre-Existing Medical Conditions: A Systematic Literature Review of a Silent Contributor to Adult Drowning.

Medical conditions can increase drowning risk. No prior study has systematically reviewed the published evidence globally regarding medical conditions and drowning risk for adults. MEDLINE (Ovid), PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, PsycINFO (ProQuest) and SPORTDiscus databases were searched for original research published between 1 January 2005 and 31 October 2021 that reported adult (≥15 years) fatal or non-fatal drowning of all intents and pre-existing medical conditions. Conditions were grouped into the relevant International Classifications of Diseases (ICD) codes. Eighty-three studies were included (85.5% high-income countries; 38.6% East Asia and Pacific region; 75.9% evidence level III-3). Diseases of the nervous system (n = 32 studies; 38.6%), mental and behavioural conditions (n = 31; 37.3%) and diseases of the circulatory system (n = 25; 30.1%) were the most common categories of conditions. Epilepsy was found to increase the relative risk of drowning by 3.8 to 82 times, with suggested preventive approaches regarding supervised bathing or showering. Drowning is a common suicide method for those with schizophrenia, psychotic disorders and dementia. Review findings indicate people with pre-existing medical conditions drown, yet relatively few studies have documented the risk. There is a need for further population-level research to more accurately quantify drowning risk for pre-existing medical conditions in adults, as well as implementing and evaluating population-level attributable risk and prevention strategies.

Педагогические условия формирования познавательных умений младших школьников в проектной деятельности

Introduction. For the successful functioning of modern educational technologies based on the principles of a system-activity approach, in the conditions of the Federal State Educational Standard, it is necessary to create a set of pedagogical conditions. The key pedagogical conditions that affect the success of developing cognitive skills of elementary school children in project activities are currently insufficiently discussed in the scientific literature. The purpose of the study is to determine the necessary and sufficient pedagogical conditions for the effective formation of cognitive skills of younger students in project activities. Methodology and methods: the study was carried out on the basis of the analysis of scientific literature, using the method of categorical-system methodology “Method of triadic category decoding”. Results of the study: 1) the key elements of pedagogical conditions that make up their essence are identified: a) the position of the teacher organizing project activities; b) stimulating the formation of motivation for project activities; c) monitoring cognitive skills; 2) a two-level triadic decoding of the corresponding category was made; 3) a set of pedagogical conditions was obtained, necessary and sufficient, for the effective formation of cognitive skills of younger students in project activities. Conclusions. The study made it possible to identify and reveal the essence of the key categories of pedagogical conditions and a complex of pedagogical conditions and create a detailed model that gives a complete picture of the qualitative characteristics of the pedagogical conditions for the formation of cognitive skills of younger students in project activities.

P13 Risk of COVID-19 Vaccine Breakthrough Infection in Fully Vaccinated Patients with Multiple Comorbid Conditions in the United States

P13 Risk of COVID-19 Vaccine Breakthrough Infection in Fully Vaccinated Patients with Multiple Comorbid Conditions in the United States

An Evaluation of Risk Ratios on Physical and Mental Health Correlations due to Increases in Ambient Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) Concentrations

Nitrogen oxides (NOx) are gaseous pollutants contributing to pollution in their primary form and are also involved in reactions forming ground-level ozone and fine particulate matter. Thus, NOx is of great interest for targeted pollution reduction because of this cascade effect. Primary emissions originate from fossil fuel combustion making NOx a common outdoor and indoor air pollutant. Numerous studies documenting the observed physical health impacts of NOx were reviewed and, where available, were summarized using risk ratios. More recently, the literature has shifted to focus on the mental health implications of NOx exposure, and a review of the current literature found five main categories of mental health-related conditions with respect to NOx exposure: common mental health disorders, sleep, anxiety, depression, and suicide. All the physical and mental health effects with available risk ratios were organized in order of increasing risk. Mental health concerns emerged as those most influenced by NOx exposure, with physical health impacts, such as asthma, only beginning to surface as the fourth highest risk. Mental health conditions occupied seven of the top ten highest risk health ailments. The results summarized in this narrative review show that there are clear positive correlations between NOx and negative physical and mental health manifestations, thus strengthening the argument in support of the reduction in ambient NOx levels.

P.108 Use of intravenous immunoglobulin for central nervous system disorders in British Columbia: consensus guidelines

Background: Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) may benefit many inflammatory central nervous system (CNS) disorders based on multiple immunomodulatory effects. IVIg is being used in inflammatory CNS conditions however robust evidence and guidelines are lacking in many disorders. Over the last 5 years, the percentage of IVIg used for CNS indications within neurology almost doubled in British Columbia (BC), Canada. Clear local guidelines may guide rational use. Methods: Consensus guidelines for IVIG use for CNS indications were developed by a panel of subspecialty neurologists and the Provincial Blood Coordinating Office, informed by focused literature review. Guidelines were structured similarly to existing BC peripheral nervous system guidelines and Australian Consensus Guidelines. Utilization and efficacy will be monitored provincewide on an ongoing basis. Results: Categories of conditions for Conditionally Approved (N=11) and Exceptional Circumstance Use (N=5) were created based on level of evidence for efficacy. Dosing and monitoring recommendations were made and outcomes measures defined. Rationale for Not Indicated conditions (N=2) was included. Guidelines were distributed to BC neurologists for feedback. This system will be re-evaluated after 1 year. Conclusions: IVIG use in CNS inflammatory conditions has an emerging role. Guidelines for use and monitoring of outcomes will help improve resource utilization and provide further evidence regarding effectiveness.

Analysis of Wet Periods in Vojvodina Province Using Standardized Precipitation Index

Summary In this study, wet periods were analyzed using the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) on timescales of 3, 6 and 12 months (SPI3, SPI6 and SPI12) at eight stations in Vojvodina Province during the period 1971-2019. The obtained results show that there were very wet years in the observed period, so that regular maintenance of drainage channels is of great importance. Also, in order to illustrate the wet periods for the area of Vojvodina, maps for a timescale of 6 months (SPI6) were made for the vegetation season (April-September) of 2010. By analyzing the maps, it can be concluded that there were four categories of humidity conditions occurring in the observed period – from normal humidity conditions through moderate to very humid and extremely humid conditions.

Prevalence and burden of skin diseases among the elderly in Singapore: a 15-year clinical cohort study.

Populations around the world are rapidly ageing. The profile of skin diseases in the elderly is likely to present unique demands on the healthcare system. To provide current data on the burden of skin diseases in Singaporean patients and identify differences in the pattern of skin diseases between elderly patients and the rest of the population. This was a retrospective cohort study of 858 117 patients who attended the National Skin Centre between 2004 and 2018. Prevalence was calculated by grouping International Classification of Diseases codes into different categories of skin conditions based on Global Burden of Disease and American Academy of Dermatology classifications. Years lost to disability (YLDs) and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) were calculated to report the morbidity and mortality of skin diseases. Differences of each skin condition between age groups were compared. The three most prevalent dermatoses across all age groups were dermatitis (33.3%), acne vulgaris (8.3%) and viral skin diseases (7.5%). The top three most common skin conditions among the elderly were dermatitis (37.7%), viral skin diseases (6.2%) and fungal skin diseases (4.3%). Decubitus ulcers, keratinocyte carcinomas and scabies represented a significant proportion of YLD per 100 000 in the elderly (P < 0.001). Malignant melanomas, keratinocyte carcinomas, cellulitis, pyoderma and decubitus ulcers contributed to high DALYs in patients aged 70-80 years. Aligning health systems with specific healthcare needs will reduce the disproportionately high burden of skin disease observed in the elderly.

Once-daily feeding is associated with better health in companion dogs: results from the Dog Aging Project.

A variety of diets have been studied for possible anti-aging effects. In particular, studies of intermittent fasting and time-restricted feeding in laboratory rodents have found evidence of beneficial health outcomes. Companion dogs represent a unique opportunity to study diet in a large mammal that shares human environments. The Dog Aging Project has been collecting data on thousands of companion dogs of all different ages, sizes, and breeds since 2019. We leveraged this diverse cross-sectional dataset to investigate associations between feeding frequency and cognitive function (n = 10,474) as well as nine broad categories of health conditions (n = 24,238). Controlling for sex, age, breed, and other potential confounders, we found that dogs fed once daily rather than more frequently had lower mean scores on a cognitive dysfunction scale, and lower odds of having gastrointestinal, dental, orthopedic, kidney/urinary, and liver/pancreas disorders. Therefore, we find that once-daily feeding is associated with better health in multiple domains. Future research with longitudinal data can provide stronger evidence for a possible causal effect of feeding frequency on health in companion dogs.

Maximization of photo-voltaic array power output through Lo Sho Square shade dispersion technique based re-configuration scheme

Non-homogenous irradiation levels across the solar PV array reduces the overall power yield of solar PV plant. Therefore, it is essential to decrease mismatch power loss incurred under non-homogenous conditions. For this purpose, ‘Lo Sho Square’ shade dispersion technique based re-configuration of solar PV modules is investigated in the present research work. Proposed ‘Lo Sho Square’ shade dispersion technique effectively scatters the non-homogenous irradiation across the reconfigured solar PV array, rather than concentrated on one location. Performance of the proposed re-configuration technique is studied by subjecting the 9 × 9 sized solar PV array under five different categories of non-uniform irradiation conditions. Efficacy of the proposed re-configuration is justified to be superior by comparing the simulation results obtained from proposed ‘Lo Sho Square’ technique with those obtained for Total-Cross-Tied interconnection and four recently reported ‘Normal SU-DO-KU’, ‘Optimized SU-DO-KU’, ‘Improved SU-DO-KU’ and ‘Modified SU-DO-KU’ shade dispersion techniques. The simulation results indicate that the proposed re-configuration scheme with values of 20%, 12.5%, 12.5%, 16.13% and 12.5% under five categories of typical non-homogenous conditions, has the lowest mismatch power loss relatively compared to that of literature reported four shade dispersion techniques. In addition, the proposed ‘Lo Sho Square’ technique based re-configuration with the efficiency values of 14.18%, 15.12%, 15.12%, 14.65% and 15.12% under five categories of typical non-homogenous conditions, has highest efficiency relatively compared to literature reported four shade dispersion techniques. Based on the comparative analysis of results obtained upon five typical non-homogeneous conditions, it is concluded that proposed ‘Lo Sho Square’ shade dispersion technique provides a relatively superior output performance compared to that of ‘Normal SU-DO-KU’, ‘Optimized SU-DO-KU’, ‘Improved SU-DO-KU’ and ‘Modified SU-DO-KU’ techniques.

Prediction of the Impact of Meteorological Conditions on Air Quality during the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics

The issue of air pollution has attracted more and more attention. Understanding how to predict air quality based on weather conditions has strong practical significance. For the first time, this paper combines weather circulation with climate prediction models to explore long-term air quality predictions. Using the T-mode (time realizations in columns) objective circulation classification method, we classified the weather circulation affecting Beijing, China, according to nine categories of predominant weather conditions. PM2.5, NO2, SO2, and CO concentration distributions for these nine circulation patterns were also determined. When the Beijing area was controlled by northwestern low pressure, a high-pressure rear, or a weak pressure field, the PM2.5 concentrations were higher, while high-pressure systems and a high-pressure rear were mostly associated with relatively high NO2, SO2, and CO concentrations. The concentrations of these pollutants under high-pressure fronts and northwestern high-pressure settings were low. Using the FLEXPART-WRF model to simulate the 48 h backward trajectory of the highest PM2.5 concentration under the nine circulation patterns from 2015 to 2021, we obtained the trap time of pollutants per unit concentration (imprint analysis) and determined the particle trap area under each circulation pattern. When using the EC-Earth climate prediction model, the daily circulation field during the Beijing Winter Olympics was forecasted, and the nine circulation patterns were compared. The corresponding circulation pattern in Beijing during the 2022 Winter Olympics should be conducive to the diffusion of pollutants and, therefore, the air quality is expected to be good.

Downstream Modification of Mercury in Diverse River Systems Underscores the Role of Local Conditions in Fish Bioaccumulation

Fish consumption advisories for mercury (Hg) are common in rivers, highlighting connections between landscape sources of Hg and downstream fluvial ecosystems. Though watershed conditions can influence concentrations of Hg in smaller streams, how Hg changes downstream through larger rivers and how these changes associate with Hg concentrations in fish is not well understood. Here we present a continuum of concentrations and yields of total mercury (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) from small tributary systems draining diverse western Canadian headwater landscapes through to major transboundary rivers. We associate these downstream patterns with THg concentrations in tissues of resident fish in major rivers. Mean concentrations and yields of unfiltered THg from over 80 monitored tributaries and major rivers were highly variable in space ranging from 0.28 to 120 ng L−1 and 0.39 to 170 µg ha−1 d−1, respectively. Using spatial data and a hierarchical cluster analysis, we identified three broad categories of tributary catchment conditions. Linear mixed modeling analysis with water quality variables revealed significantly lower THg concentrations in tributaries draining cordillera-foothills (geometric mean: 0.76 ng L−1) regions relative to those draining forested (1.5 ng L−1) and agriculturalized landscapes (2.4 ng L−1), suggesting that sources and mobility of THg in soils and surface waters were different between landscapes. However, these concentration differences were not sustained downstream in major rivers as local sources and sinks of THg in river channels smoothed differences between landscape types. Extensive fish tissue monitoring in major rivers and ANCOVA analysis found that site-specific, river water THg and MeHg concentrations and local catchment conditions were stronger associates of THg concentrations in fish than broader trends in rivers within and across landscape classes. Consequently, site-specific, targeted monitoring of THg and MeHg concentrations in water and fish is a preferred study design when assessing regional-level patterns in fish tissue concentrations.

Prevalence and characteristics of systemic conditions in patients undergoing orthognathic surgery: a retrospective study

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of systemic conditions in patients undergoing orthognathic surgery at a tertiary centre. Ninety of the 838 patients undergoing orthognathic surgery between 2013 and 2019 had a systemic condition (prevalence of 10.7%). The most prevalent categories of systemic conditions were inflammatory joint disorders, endocrinological disorders, and syndromes. Patients with syndromes were significantly younger at the time of surgery than patients with endocrinological (P < 0.001), inflammatory joint (P = 0.003), or gastrointestinal disorders (P = 0.033). Endocrinological disorders, syndromes, and malignancies were more frequently associated with a skeletal class III malocclusion (P = 0.009, P < 0.001, and P = 0.048 respectively). Further research is needed to clarify the role of systemic conditions in the aetiology of malocclusion and postoperative outcomes.

From the COVID-19 pandemic to corrupt practices: a tale of two evils.

Emergencies and corruption go hand in hand in times of crisis. We are currently living in a pandemic phase, and corruption is even more damaging during these times of crisis that the world is experiencing with COVID-19. Vaccination is the only survival option that we have. The development of a nation will soon be measured by the criteria of who owns more vaccines. This study has four objectives. The first is to explore the most recent relevant literature. Moreover, we also investigate the unique trilogy of corruption, the environment, and the COVID-19 pandemic. The second is to identify adequate channels for distributing the COVID-19 vaccines. The vaccines should be dispersed based on the categories of age, gender, ethnicity, profession, and health conditions. Third, we explored the factors that are causing corruption in the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccines. Our findings show that unequal distribution, theft and black markets, weaponization of vaccines, logistical challenges, and substandard and falsified vaccines are the factors that potentially lead to corruption. The fourth objective is to investigate solutions for mitigating corruption. We revealed that blockchain, awareness, well-planned distribution channels, and prioritization of vulnerable groups are the steps that could effectively reduce corruption.

Durability Prediction Method of Concrete Soil Based on Deep Belief Network

To truly reflect the durability characteristics of concrete subjected to multiple factors under complex environmental conditions, it is necessary to discuss the prediction of its durability. In response to the problem of durability prediction of traditional concrete structures, there is a low prediction accuracy, and the predicted time is long, and a concrete structural durability prediction method based on the deep belief network is proposed. The influencing factors of the concrete structural durability parameters are analyzed by two major categories of concrete material and external environmental conditions, and the transmission of chloride ions in the concrete structure is described. According to the disconnection of the steel bars, the durability of the concrete structure is started, and the determination is determined. The concrete structural antiflexural strength, using a deep belief network training concrete structural antiflexural strength judgment data, constructs a concrete structural durability predictive model and completes the durability prediction of the concrete structure based on the deep belief network. The proposed prediction method based on the deep belief network has a high prediction accuracy of 98% for the durability of concrete column structures. The simulation results show that the concrete structural durability’s prediction accuracy is high and the prediction time is short. The prediction of concrete durability discussed here has important guiding significance for the improvement of concrete durability test methods and the improvement of concrete durability evaluation standards in China.