Index Research Articles

Avaliação do desempenho de vedações verticais utilizando o Processo de Análise Hierárquica na tomada de decisão

A avaliação de desempenho de sistemas construtivos tem sido um tema amplamente discutido no setor da construção civil brasileira. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o desempenho acústico, térmico e ambiental de diferentes sistemas construtivos comumente utilizados em vedações verticais de edificações habitacionais. Foram avaliados os seguintes sistemas: alvenaria de vedação de blocos cerâmicos, alvenaria de tijolos cerâmicos, alvenaria estrutural de blocos de concreto, parede de concreto moldado no local e steel framing. Para o desempenho acústico foram estimados valores do índice de redução sonora ponderado (Rw), enquanto que para o desempenho térmico foram calculados a resistência térmica (Rt) e a capacidade térmica (Ct) dos sistemas construtivos escolhidos. Para a avaliação do desempenho ambiental foram quantificados um indicador de consumo de energia de combustíveis fósseis (IE) e um indicador de emissões de carbono (IC), com base na metodologia de Avaliação do Ciclo de Vida (ACV). Como forma de facilitar a tomada de decisão do projetista foi empregado o Processo de Análise Hierárquica (AHP) para agregar os diferentes critérios avaliados a um indicador de desempenho global (IDG), considerando diferentes cenários. Os resultados mostraram que quando o IDG é calculado o sistema de alvenaria blocos de concreto se apresentou o mais vantajoso para a maioria dos cenários avaliados. Foi possível verificar o potencial do uso do método de AHP para orientar e sistematizar escolhas de diferentes sistemas construtivos para vedações verticais.

TREATMENT OF PATIENTS WITH TRANSIENT IMPAIRMENT OF THE CEREBRAL CIRCULATION

The study involved 83 patients with passing infringements of brain blood circulation (PIBBC), among which are 55 patients with a transient ischemic attack and 28 patients with a cerebral hypertensive crisis, 13 volunteers. On the 1st and 10th day after PIBBC for patients and once for volunteers the state of heart rate variability with the indices: a standard deviation of consecutive RR-intervals (SDNN), ms; percentage of pairs of consecutive RR-intervals differing by more than 50 ms during the recording period (pNN50), %; a mode (Mo), s; a mode amplitude (AMO), %; a range of ΔX, s were determined. To determine a vegetative tone, a stress index (IN) was calculated. The second stroke or ischemic events were detected by means of telephone interviews over the period of 3 months. In the group with the use of addition cholinomimetic therapy on the first day of hospitalization, a higher SDNN value was in comparison with the control group (р = 0.048); in the comparison group (р = 0.003), SDNN exceeded 75 % of the interquartile range of normal values (25–36 ms). After the 10-day course of treatment, changes in SDNN were not observed in the both groups, and in the main group SDNN remained above the control indices (р = 0.016). During therapy this group showed a tendency to decrease IN1/2 with significantly lower values compared in the control group (р = 0.009) and in the comparison group (р = 0.008). The unfavorable prognosis of acute ischemic events in the PIBBC group with the use of parasympathomimetic therapy was determined during a 3-month period as a greater percentage of recurrent ischemic events. Based on the data obtained, SDNN is proposed for use as a predictive parameter for the personification of the appointment of cholinomimetic therapy.

Analyses of bioindicators and physicochemical parameters of water of Lake Tondano, North Sulawesi Province, Indonesia

. Setyono P, Himawan W. 2018. Analyses of bioindicators and physicochemical parameters of water of Lake Tondano, North Sulawesi Province, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 19: 867-874. The water quality of Lake Tondano is affected by various anthropogenic activities on the water body and catchment area. The purposes of this research were (i) to identify a pollution load based on the study of bioindicators and physicochemical parameters and (ii) to identify the trophic level of the Lake Tondano. The research data were collected by direct water sampling and analyses of a secondary data. The plankton identification was conducted in a laboratory. The data were analyzed to determine biodiversity index (ID) using the Shannon Weiner formula. A comparison between physicochemical parameters and the standard in the government regulation number 82, the year of 2001 and the value of diversity index were used to determine the pollution level. The trophic level was calculated with the Carlson Formula. The results showed that the diversity index (H') in Lake Tondano was 1.904 (phytoplankton), 1.712 (zooplankton) and 2.086 (benthos) which indicated a low to mid-level pollution. Based on the government regulation, the Eris station had inappropriate water quality for the present utilization (Class II). The trophic state was categorized as eutrophic towards hypertrophic condition indicated by domination of the phytoplankton and large covers of the water hyacinth.

Use of the dilatometer test to estimate the maximum shear modulus of normally consolidated Busan clay

ABSTRACTThe aim of this experimental study is to estimate the maximum shear modulus (Gmax) of normally consolidated clayey soils using the results of a dilatometer test (DMT). A series of DMTs was conducted at the Busan New Port and Noksan sites in South Korea. In addition, basic index tests, bender element tests (i.e., shear wave velocity (Vs) measurements), and standard 1-D consolidation tests were performed using the undisturbed specimens. The results demonstrate that the Gmax of normally consolidated Busan clays cannot be adequately captured by the horizontal stress index (KD)-based empirical formula. Therefore, a Gmax estimating formula for normally consolidated clayey soils is newly suggested in this study using the dilatometer constrained modulus (MDMT) and stress-normalized material index (ID). Most notably, the estimated Gmax values using the suggested formula are comparable with the measured Gmax of both this study and the previous study on normally consolidated clayey soils.

Diversity of tree vegetation on different slopes in Sangkulirang – Mangkalihat exokarst area

The Karst ecosystem in East Kalimantan is predominantly located in the Sangkulirang-Mangkalihat covering an area of 1,867,676 hectares. The exokarst are all features that may be found on a surface karst landscape. The objective of this study was to determine the diversity of tree vegetation (diameters >10 cm) on different slopes. Six study locations were selected as replications where each location consisted of the different of slopes. The sample plot was set up 15 plots in each location on quadrants of 10 m x 10 m. 538 individuals had been found in the study sites consisting of 163 species, 100 genera and 43 family. The Dipterocarpaceae was dominant on slopes and the upper ridges, while Shorea sp. has dominated on the upper ridges. The highest diversity index (H’) of 4.04were found on the slopes and valley while the Species Richness Index (R) and Evenness Index (e) were high in all three slopes. The highest Similarity Index (ISs) of41.06was in the slopes and valley, while the highest Decimilarity Index (ID) of 67.30were in the slopes and upper ridges. Meanwhile, the overall diversity of species in the Sangkulirang-Mangkalihat exokarst area is high.

Hydrogen sulphide exposure in waste water treatment

BackgroundThe aims of this study was to assess exposure to hydrogen sulphide (H2S) among waste water treatment workers (WWWs), and achieve a better measure of the risks of H2S exposure than only using the eight-hour average value and the ceiling value because the exposure pattern of H2S for WWWs is dominated by short-term peaks.MethodsNinety-three measurements of H2S from 56 WWWs in three cities and three rural areas were collected. All exposure measurements were carried out from the start of the day until lunch time (sampling time 4–5 h) when most of the practical work was performed. The type of tasks and extent of flushing were registered. H2S was measured using direct-reading instruments with logging: OdaLog L2/LL, Dräger X-am 5000 and Dräger Pac 7000 (0.1–200 ppm). Number and duration of peaks for different work tasks, seasons, places and extent of flushing were combined in an exposure index (IN), and evaluated in a mixed-model analysis, building a model aimed to predict exposure for different job tasks.ResultsNine Percent (8 of 93) of all H2S measurements have peaks above 10 ppm; in addition, 15% (14 of 93) have peaks of 5–10 ppm, 35% (33 of 93) have peaks of 1–5 ppm and 65% (62 of 93) have peaks of 0.1–1 ppm. 29% of the measurements of hydrogen sulphide showed no registered level > 0.1 ppm.From the mixed-model analyses we see that exposure level, expressed as H2S index IN, varied between places, work type, season and degree of flushing. For the work in a plant in the capital, the exposure index varied from 0.02 for working in spring doing some flushing, to 0.7 for working at the same plant in winter doing flushing more than three times or more than 10 min. Collecting sewage from cesspools in city 2 in winter doing a lot of flushing gave a hydrogen sulphide index of 230.ConclusionsThe use of a H2S index, taking into consideration peak height, duration and number of peaks, could be a tool for exposure assessment for H2S.

Determination of the presence of microstructure in a soil using a seismic dilatometer

This article shows an approach for investigating the presence of microstructure in a soil based on the results obtained by seismic dilatometer (SDMT). Three main parameters are considered: intermediate dilatometer test (DMT) parameters material index (ID) and horizontal stress index (KD) and small strain stiffness (G0) obtained by shear wave velocity (Vs) measurements. The approach is engineering-oriented since it is simple, fast, inexpensive, and based directly on in situ measurements. We found that with increasing microstructure (cementation and aging) the ratio of measured to estimated G0 increases, which could be used to improve interpretation of empirically determined geotechnical parameters from DMT results. Applications of a DMT-based, CPT-based and Vs-based correlations for determination of effective peak friction angle of sands, with and without presence of microstructure, are evaluated. Finally, we propose an approach to reducing the influence of microstructure on K0–KD correlation in a clay.

A New Difficulty Index for Teleoperated Robots Driving through Obstacles

Teleoperation allows humans to reach environments that would otherwise be too difficult or dangerous. The distance between the human operator and remote robot introduces a number of issues that can negatively impact system performance including degraded and delayed information exchange between the robot and human. Some operation scenarios and environments can tolerate these degraded conditions, while others cannot. However, little work has been done to investigate how factors such as communication delay, automation, and environment characteristics interact to affect teleoperation system performance. This paper presents results from a user study analyzing the effects of teleoperation factors including communication delay, autonomous assistance, and environment layout on user performance. A mobile robot driving task is considered in which subjects drive a robot to a goal location around obstacles as quickly (minimize time) and safely (avoid collisions) as possible. An environment difficulty index (ID) is defined in the paper and is shown to be able to predict the average time it takes for the human to drive the robot to a goal location with different obstacle configurations. The ID is also shown to predict the path chosen by the human better than travel time along that path.

УЛЬТРАЗВУКОВАЯ ДОППЛЕРОГРАФИЯ ХРОНИЧЕСКОЙ ВЕНОЗНОЙ НЕДОСТАТОЧНОСТИ НИЖНИХ КОНЕЧНОСТЕЙ

Мета дослідження - вивчити можливості ультразвукової доплерографії в діагностиці хронічної венозної недостатності (ХВН) нижніх кінцівок.Матеріали та методи. Проведено обстеження 176 пацієнтів з ХВН. Використаний метод колірної доплерографії.Результати та обговорення. ХВН у обстежених пацієнтів виявлявся різноманітної клінічної симптоматикою. Для оцінки тонусу венозної стінки визначали індекс еластичності (ІЕ) загальної стегнової і підколінної вен, для визначення «нормальності» анатомічної будови великої підшкірної вени на стегні визначали індекс гіпоплазіі.Характерізова гемодинамичну значимість, розділили всіх обстежених хворих за ступенями тяжкості на три групи. У першій групі при проведенні проб на клапанах в сафенофеморальному сполученні ретроградний кровотік не фіксували, що підтверджувало відсутність клапанної недостатності. Значення ІЕ не перевищував 1,37 ± 0,09. У другій групі реєстрували ретроградний потік крові тривалістю не більше 2 секунд, що свідчить про гемодинамично незначну недостатність. Значення ІЕ був вище 1,37. У пацієнтів третьої групи при проведенні проб на клапанах в сафенофеморальне сполучення реєструвався ретроградний потік крові, що дозволило виявити гемодинамічно значиму клапанну недостатність, при якому показана хірургічна корекція. Середні показники ІЕ глибоких вен перевищували нормальне значення і становили для загальної стегнової вени 1,7 ± 0,042, для підколінної вени -1,6 ± 0,028.Висновки. Ультразвукова доплерографія дозволила виявити клапанну недостатність різних відділів венозного русла нижніх кінцівок і зробити висновок про ступінь порушення венозного відтоку вен нижніх кінцівок. Вивчення за допомогою ультразвукової доплерографії тоніко-еластичних властивостей венозної стінки є одним з важливих моментів в діагностиці стану венозної системи нижніх кінцівок і має важливе практичне значення. Розвиток ХВН - процес, протяжний в часі, тобто за умови виявлення і лікування захворювання на ранніх стадіях можна реально скоротити кількість хворих або пролонгувати в часі розвиток важких форм хвороби.

Effect of curing, capillary action, and groundwater level increment on geotechnical properties of lime concrete: Experimental and prediction studies

Lime concrete and lime treatment are two attractive techniques for geotechnical engineers. However, researches have rarely been carried out to study the effects of moisture and capillary action due to increasing groundwater level on geotechnical properties of lime concrete. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of curing time and degree of saturation on some of geotechnical properties of lime concrete such as unconfined compressive strength (UCS), secant modulus (Es), failure strain, brittleness index (IB), and deformability index (ID) using unconfined compression tests. First of all, geotechnical and chemical properties of used materials were determined. After curing times of 14 d, 28 d, 45 d, and 60 d in laboratory condition, the specimens were exposed to saturation levels ranging from 0 to 100%. The results showed that the moisture and curing time have significant effects on the properties of lime concrete. Based on the results of scanning electron micrograph (SEM) test, it was observed that the specimen was characterized by a rather well-structured matrix since both the filling of a large proportion of the coarse-grained soil voids by clay and the pozzolanic activity of lime led to retaining less pore water in the specimen, increasing the UCS and Es, and consequently resisting against swelling and shrinkage of the clay soil. Moreover, due to the pozzolanic reactions and reduction of water, by increasing the curing time and decreasing the degrees of saturation, UCS, Es, and IB increased, and ID decreased. Based on the experimental results, a phenomenological model was used to develop equations for predicting the properties in relation to the ratio of degree of saturation/curing time. The results showed that there was a good correlation (almost R2 > 90%) between the measured parameters and the estimated ones given by the predicted equations.

The Use of Intranasal Dexmedetomidine and Midazolam for Sedated Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Children: A Report From the Pediatric Sedation Research Consortium.

The objective of this study was to describe the use of intranasal dexmedetomidine (IN DEX) for sedated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations in children. The use of IN DEX for MRI in children has not been well described in the literature. The Pediatric Sedation Research Consortium (PSRC) is a collaborative and multidisciplinary group of sedation practitioners dedicated to understanding and improving the process of pediatric sedation. We searched the 2007 version of the PSRC database solely for instances in which IN DEX was used for MRI diagnostic studies. Patients receiving intravenous medications were excluded. Patient demographics, IN DEX dose, adjunct medications and dose, as well as procedure completion, complications, interventions, and monitoring providers were analyzed. A total of 224 sedation encounters were included in our primary analysis. There were no major adverse events. Most sedations (88%) required no intervention. Registered nurses were the monitoring provider in over 99% of cases. The median (interquartile range) dose of dexmedetomidine was 3 (2.5-3) mcg/kg. Adjunctive midazolam was used in 219/224 (98%) of the cases. All procedures were completed. This report from the PSRC shows that IN DEX in combination with midazolam is an effective medication regimen for children who require an MRI with sedation.

Tails of the Travelling Gaussian model and the relative age effect: Tales of age discrimination and wasted talent.

The Relative Age Effect (RAE) documents the inherent disadvantages of being younger rather than older in an age-banded cohort, typically a school- or competition-year, to the detriment of career-progression, earnings and wellbeing into adulthood. We develop the Tails of the Travelling Gaussian (TTG) to model the mechanisms behind RAE. TTG has notable advantages over existing approaches, which have been largely descriptive, potentially confounded, and non-comparable across contexts. In Study 1, using data from the UK’s Millennium Cohort Study, we investigate the different levels of RAE bias across school-level academic subjects and “personality” traits. Study 2 concerns biased admissions to elite English Premier League soccer academies, and shows the model can still be used with minimal data. We also develop two practical metrics: the discrimination index (ID), to quantify the disadvantages facing cohort-younger children; and the wastage metric (W), to quantify the loss through untapped potential. TTG is sufficiently well-specified to simulate the consequences of ID and W for policy change.

Polygraphy in hospitalized children under 3 months

Retrospective case series. Children under 3 months with suspected apnea were considered and in whom a polygraphy (PG) was performed during hospitalization. General data, the apnea/hypopnea index (AHI), index of central. apnea, obstructive apnea index, average and minimum saturation were recorded. Desaturation index (ID) below 80% higher 1 per hour, one or more events of desaturation below 80% for more than 20 seconds or an AHI greater than or equal 1 were considered as criteria of sleep disorder breathing (SLB). Descriptive analysis was performed and the associations between AHI and saturation parameters were determined. 51 patients, 32 males, entered the study. 15,6% had altered PG. In 5 of them coexisted more than one diagnostic criterion. Iin 15,6% of the patients was observed an IAH greater 1, in 7.8% a desaturation index below 80% and in 11,8% a desaturation index under 80% for 20 seconds greater than 1. The AHI was associated with the parameters of saturation. Most of the patients had normal PG and among patients with a suggestive SLB a pattern of respiratory immaturity prevailed, which is characteristic of this age.

Microclima e a arborização: o caso de duas áreas do Núcleo Marabá Pioneira, Marabá - Pará

Studies of the urban climate involve numerous climatic variables, such as temperature, air humidity and vegetation. The objective of this research was to determine the trend of two meteorological variables (air temperature relative humidity), in relation to the arborization, sensation and thermal hygrometric perception of the population in the microclimate of two areas (A1 = Avenue Antônio Maia; A2 = Street 5 de Abril) Core Marabá Pioneira. For the measurement of temperature and humidity of the air, the methodology recommended by the Agronomic Institute of Campinas (IAC), adapted for the schedules and collection numbers, was applied. To obtain data on thermal comfort, seventy mixed forms were applied for two consecutive days at 12 hours. The thermal sensation was classified per the contained in the Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) and the discomfort, with the Thom Discomfort Index (ID). Twelve daily readings (6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) were carried out at each hour in the four meteorological shelters (two in each area) during 23 days of July 2015. The results indicated that the air temperature has tendencies to elevation, The relative humidity of the air, presents opposite tendency. The thermal sensation is very hot (+3), the satisfaction with shading was classified as good (A2 = 50%) and regular (A1 = 41.67%), thermal comfort (A1 = 28.76 °C; A2 = 27.70 ºC), ranges from uncomfortable to very uncomfortable. Therefore, there is a need to improve afforestation in the Marabá Pioneira Nucleus, in order to reduce the discomfort index and the quality of life of the population.

Вплив зміни клімату на шкідливість комах-фітофагів пшениці озимої у Лісостепу України

Climate change impact on environmental performance constancy types of complex malware herbivores winter wheat under steppes of Ukraine: decreased frequency of display on crops such pests as opomiza, Hesse fly, wheat fly, bug-ridden. In the past 10 years, most notably the loss of crops from harmful insects winter wheat registered in Poltava and Kharkiv regions, but they did not exceed the threshold limit indicator of economic harm. In other areas the forest-steppe crop losses from pests were insignificant. Given the variability of phytosanitary condition of crops winter wheat depending on the weather season vegetation feasibility chemical protection from pests culture should be determined only by the results of entomological monitoring. Analyzed and calculated data base on the spread of pests and in the steppe zone described in the annual review of the State Veterinary and Phytosanitary Service of Ukraine, Ukraine Hydrometeocentre database. The potential harmful insects analyzed in terms of average economic index (IE). For calculations used Ie relation to the average number of pest indicator of its economic threshold of harmfulness. The total damage from insects (integrated hazard) was determined by calculating the integral index harm (Iein) - the amount of economic indices of each type of correction factor that reflects the cultural features of response to damage various types of pests. Multiply integral index of 3% (minimum loss threshold for crops of pests) can calculate the potential loss of crops. The average annual temperature and average annual rainfall is the main parameters for the study of climate change. According to research this option, the current climate is characterized by asymmetric Ukraine on the territory of warming, pronounced in winter and summer months. Over the last century the average annual temperature in Ukraine has increased by more than 0,9 0 С. Results of the analysis indicate that the increase in temperature in the cold period averages 1,35 0 С in warm - 1,0 0 С. Since 1989, the average annual temperature has increased by almost 1 0 C. It is known that major populations of insect pests cyclical fluctuations inherent strength in which in some years it can grow to 10 times irrespective of the economic status of rural economic production. This indicates that the long-term fluctuations in state populations, primarily due to internal mechanisms population, the effect of which can be enhanced or diminished by external factors, such as climate change. Our analysis of the results of years of phyto sanitary monitoring showed that by 2006, despite the stabilization of volumes of measures to protect plants and population rates of cereal crops on flies against the backdrop of fluctuations tended to increase. But after wintering extreme conditions in 2003-2004 tends to progressively reduce their numbers, which may be due to the earlier timing of sowing winter crops in terms of climate change. The population of each species of pests on crops of winter characterized by a certain density. Compare different populations might harm by rationing their density to that of economic harm threshold (EPSH). As a result of the valuation are average economic index, which is proportional to the potential loss of yield: the higher the index - the more harm. According to our data shows that in contrast scientifically substantiated many predictions, against further warming average of estimated crop loss of winter wheat in the steppes of Ukraine in the last 10 years reliably decreased, due to the decrease in the number and harmfulness of most types of major insect herbivores. The most notable changes in state populations complex cereal flies. In terms of forest-steppe zone in the past 10 years, most notably the loss of crops from harmful insects winter wheat in the Poltava and Kharkiv regions, but there are limits on rate EPSH. In other areas the forest-steppe crop losses from pests were insignificant. Under these conditions, given the variability of phytosanitary condition of crops winter wheat depending on the weather season vegetation feasibility chemical crop protection advisable to define only the results of entomological monitoring.

The Green Construction Site Index (GCSI): A Quantitative Tool used to Assess an Ongoing Project to Meet the Green Construction Concept

The development of the construction industry in Indonesia has been substantially contributing to the enhancement of the social and economic development of the people. However, its expansion has also become an issue, as the development might be implicated in the abuse of environmental sustainability when the practices of conducting the construction project abandon the rules and regulations of sustainable green construction concepts. Therefore, this study attempted to introduce a quantitative assessment tool called the Green Construction Site Index (GCSI) to evaluate the performance of an ongoing project to meet the sustainable green construction concept. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of GCSI as a quantitative assessment tool to measure the implementation of the green construction concept conducted by ongoing projects. Data were collected by onsite direct observation, interviews with key personnel, and project documentation review. Data were organized and analyzed using descriptive elaboration. The results showed that three aspects, the Efficiency Index (IE), Productivity Index (IP), and Awareness Index (IA), were effective in assessing 10 ongoing construction projects, categorized as Non-Commercial Non-Residential Building, Commercial Residential Building, and Commercial Non-Residential Building. The index generated using GCSI, upon assessing 10 buildings, was 3.39 and fell into the Good category with IE = 3.51, IP = of 2.86, and IA = 3.84. Another finding shows that the Project Organizational Commitment Index (POCI) to the indicator of the GCSI was 3.31 (Good category) with IPOL = 3.36, IPRO = 3.49, and IPRAC = 2.75. The capability of the GCSI to identify three aspects within a construction project simultaneously and comprehensively suggests the importance of its function as an effective tool that gives benefits to not only the contactors, but also to the authorities that control the green construction-related performance. Therefore, the GCSI is expected to be applied as a standardized reference by both the construction industries and regulating authorities. Despite its satisfactory findings, the GCSI needs to be furthered to achieve its reliability and validity to be adopted internationally.

Retrospective Comparison of Intranasal Dexmedetomidine and Oral Chloral Hydrate for Sedated Auditory Brainstem Response Exams.

Satisfactory conditions for auditory brainstem responses (ABR) screening tests for pediatric hearing loss are usually achieved with oral chloral hydrate (CH) sedation. When the US manufacture of this drug was discontinued for business reasons, we developed an alternative sedation regimen using intranasal dexmedetomidine (IN DEX) 4 μg/kg. This institutional review board-approved retrospective study compared the efficacy and adverse effect profiles of these 2 sedative regimens. Medical records of children receiving oral CH or IN DEX for ABR were surveyed for demographic data and times from sedative administration to start and completion of the ABR procedure and recovery times. We also noted if the examination was completed with or without interruptions, failed for inadequate sedation, and if predefined cardiorespiratory adverse events occurred. In the IN DEX cohort, the examination could be completed more frequently with a single dose of medication (P = .002). Satisfactory sedation in these patients permitted an earlier start of both the ABR examination and recovery to the awake status (P < .001 and < .045, respectively). Hypoxia requiring oxygen therapy was more frequent in the CH group. This retrospective study found that IN DEX provides effective sedation for ABR examinations, with the benefits of an ability to begin the test sooner and complete the examination with a single dose, in addition to a decreased incidence of hypoxemia. A randomized controlled trial should test the hypothesis that the IN DEX technique is superior to the well-established standard oral CH regimen.

Long-term changes in soil moisture conditions and their relation to atmospheric circulation in the Poyang Lake basin, China

Understanding the reasons for past changes in soil moisture conditions is key to improving forecasts of this extremely important variable coupling land and atmosphere. To contribute to this understanding, we analyzed the variability of soil moisture and its relationship to regional climate features. In this study we focused on the Poyang Lake basin, which is located on the southern bank of the Yangtze River at the junction of its middle and lower reaches in Jiangxi Province. Using in situ soil moisture observations from Nankang and Hukou stations for the period from 1998 to 2012, we tested the regional applicability of the high-resolution long-term Essential Climate Variable (ECV) soil moisture (SM) dataset (1978–2013) by means of trend and correlation analyses. We only used the ECV SM product here that is based on passive microwave technology. Both observed and ECV SM data show the same variations on monthly and inter-annual time scales including identical trend direction and strong correlations. To investigate the relationship between soil moisture conditions in the Poyang Lake basin and the Western Pacific Subtropical High (WPSH), correlation coefficients were calculated between the ECV SM data, the strength index (IS), and the northern limit index (IN) of the WPSH. The IS of the last autumn and winter shows a strong positive correlation with soil moisture during the subsequent rainy season. A strong WPSH in the preceding autumn and winter could result in more humid climate conditions in the Poyang lake basin during the following rainy season. The IN shows a strong negative correlation with concurrent soil moisture from July to September. The further the WPSH extends towards the north, the drier the area.

Application of the dilatometer test for estimating undrained shear strength of Busan New Port clay

The dilatometer test (DMT) is an economical and fast tool that evaluates the stratigraphy and properties of soil. In this study, a series of DMTs, field vane tests (FVTs), and K0 consolidated-undrained triaxial compression (CK0UC) tests were performed to develop an empirical correlation for the undrained shear strength (su) of clayey soils from the Busan New Port site. The stress-normalized mobilized su(μsu/σv′) for both laboratory tests and FVTs is determined to be around 0.22, which is consistent with previous studies. The exponent m for overconsolidation ratio (OCR), which is in the relation of su/σv′=S·OCRm, is determined to be 0.83 by using the SHANSEP technique. Two different methods of estimating su are reviewed to make use of either the horizontal stress index (KD) or the bearing factor (Nc). Because the DMT results indicate that the Nc is linearly proportional to the material index (ID), representing the characteristics of soil, the empirical su estimating formula with ID is newly suggested in this study. According to the values for the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), the empirical correlation with ID shows a slightly better accuracy than that using KD. However, a comparison between the values for the su that are measured and estimated by using two different methods shows good agreement in general.

A prospective, randomized, double-blind trial of intranasal dexmedetomidine and oral chloral hydrate for sedated auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing.

Dexmedetomidine is increasingly used by various routes for pediatric sedation. However, there are few randomized controlled trials comparing the efficacy of dexmedetomidine to other commonly used sedatives. To compare the efficacy of sedation with intranasal dexmedetomidine to oral chloral hydrate for auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing. In this double-blind, double-dummy study, children undergoing ABR testing were randomized to receive intranasal dexmedetomidine 3 mcg · kg(-1) plus oral placebo (Group IN DEX) or oral chloral hydrate 50 mg · kg(-1) plus intranasal saline placebo (Group CH). We recorded demographic data, times from sedative administration to start and completion of testing, quality of sedation, occurrence of predefined adverse events, discharge times, and return to baseline activity on the day of testing. Testing completion rates with a single dose of medication were higher in the IN DEX group (89% vs 66% for CH, odds ratio with 95% confidence intervals 4.04 [1.3-12.6], P = 0.018). The median [95% CI)] time to successful testing start was shorter (25 [20-29] min vs 30 [20-49] min for IN DEX and CH, respectively, log rank test P = 0.02) and the proportion of children whose parents reported a return to baseline activity on the day of testing was greater for the IN DEX than the CH group (89% vs 64%, OR [95% CI] 4.71 [1.34-16.6], P = 0.02). There were no major adverse events in either group and no significant differences in the incidence of minor events. Intranasal dexmedetomidine is an effective alternative to oral chloral hydrate sedation for ABR testing, with the advantages of a higher incidence of testing completion with a single dose, shorter time to desired sedation level, and with significantly more patients reported to return to baseline activity on the same day.