Natural Drainage Research Articles

Acute Presentation of Pyometra in an Elderly Female

Background: An uncommon condition known as pyometra occurs when natural drainage of the uterine cavity is compromised and pus accumulates within the cavity. The reported incidence is 0.1%–0.5% in gynecologic patients and is much higher in elderly women. Spontaneous perforation of pyometra and subsequent diffuse peritonitis is very rare. Case: A postmenopausal (age 60, para 3) woman presented in an emergency department with fever and pain in her abdomen. Features of generalized peritonitis were present on examination. Laparotomy was performed, and a rent with pus leaking from it was found on the anterior wall of the uterus. Subtotal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy with cervical cytology was performed. Results: There was no evidence of malignancy on histopathology and cytology examination. Pyometra was caused by senile endometritis, and pus was not expelled out because of cervical stenosis. This case had an unusual presentation in the form of a rupture of pyometra with subsequent development of peritonitis. Conclusions: Spontaneous uterine perforation caused by pyometra should be kept in mind as one of the differential diagnosis in a postmenopausal woman presenting with generalized peritonitis. Clinicians usually miss the diagnosis of rupture of pyometra in a previously asymptomatic elderly female; this report will help create the awareness to avoid this life-threatening condition. (J GYNECOL SURG 33:71)

Flood Vulnerability Mapping to Riverine Floods: A Study on the Old Brahmaputra River

Flood is an inevitable natural phenomenon occurring from time to time in all rivers and natural drainage systems of Bangladesh. It causes damage to lives and natural resources as well as the loss of economy and health. This study illustrates the flood vulnerability mapping to riverine floods in the Old Brahmaputra River in Mymensingh Sadar upazila. The flood vulnerability mapping of fourteen unions of Mymensingh Sadar is made by using satellite images, a structured questionnaire, observation and secondary data. Flood vulnerability mapping is a necessary pre-requisite for comprehensive flood mitigation programs. This study emphasizes the importance and needs of looking the phenomena of floods and floods vulnerable area at the national scale in order to fully understand and completely deal with the problem. Totally flood vulnerable unions are Borar Char, Paranganj, Sirta, Char Ishwardi and Char Nilakshmia and flood vulnerable free unions are Ghagra, Dapunia and Akua. With these flood vulnerability mapping, the legal authority can take necessary steps to reduce the flood risk.

Selecting a potential smart water for EOR implementation in Asab oil field

The IFT and contact angle are believed to have direct impact on wettability alteration of crude oil/water/rock systems. In this work, extensive laboratory work was conducted to investigate the effect of these two key parameters on wettability alteration at elevated temperature (90 °C) and ambient conditions. Twenty-six brines representing various scenarios of dilution and sulphate spiking were prepared and tested to identify the smart water most effective in the alteration of wettability. Sea water (SW) was used a base brine. Diluted and sulphate-spiked versions of SW were synthetically prepared following the standard brine preparation procedures. Also standard procedures were followed for the measurement of IFT and contact angle measurements using Teclis tracker. Pendant drop method was implemented to measure the IFT at ambient and 90 °C conditions using a special software package that adopts the axisymmetric drop shape analysis and fits the Laplace equation. The same software package was used to take snapshots of oil drops at 90 °C, and contact angle was measured manually. The effects of dilution and/or sulphate spiking on the observed IFT and contact angle measurements were investigated using a proposed brine categories-based plotting technique. Natural SW and its sulphate-spiked versions have shown the least oil/brine IFT at ambient and 90 °C conditions. The sulphate-spiked SW and its dilutions have resulted in the reduction in oil/brine IFT, whereas the diluted SW showed an increase in oil/brine IFT. Further reduction in IFT was observed at the elevated temperature. SW and SW/50 (50 times diluted sea water) were the only two brines that could yield a contact angle of 113° and 114°, respectively, indicating the change in wettability from oil-wet to the border line of intermediate-wettability conditions. The natural SW that contains 3944 mg/L of sulphate ion has been found to be the most effective in promoting wettability change and thus represents the selected smart water for EOR implementation in Asab oil field. The contact angle measurements were made from the drops formed by the natural drainage process. These measurements are believed to duplicate contact angles in the selected reservoir because of the continuous change in fluids saturation.

Flap surgical techniques for incisional hernia recurrences. A swine experimental model.

Background and aimIn the age of synthetic prostheses most of hernia studies include a careful examination of the various types of prosthesis, their characteristics and their repair indications. Biological prostheses are also beginning to draw attention. But in terms of recurrence especially for poor or developing countries, the discussion is different, due to their high cost which makes them difficult to afford. In this article we present new flap reconstruction techniques for the reconstruction of the abdominal wall versus mesh repair, applied on swine models, outline the results of each technique, and specify the indications for their use.MethodsAn experimental protocol using four swine models (PIC-FII-337 hybrid breed pigs), five months old, was conducted. All animal care and operative procedures were studied following the protocol approved by the Ethics Committee of the University of Medicine and Pharmacy resolution no. 281/2014 of the Department of Surgery of the University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine); the study was carried out between November 2015 and February 2016. The primary objective was to compare the effect of surgical strategies in the treatment of the abdominal wall defect using variable flaps versus mesh repair in a large-animal models. Physical examination and ultrasound imaging of the abdominal wall repair were done on determined periods, during one month. The complications occurring after the abdominal wall repair were edema, collections, superficial dehiscence an recurrences.ResultsNo recurrences were reported at one month results, all seromas reported were solved over time by natural drainage. Superficial necrosis appeared in two swine models and superficial dehiscence occurred in one model, the perforator ”plus” flap. Mesh infection was detected in the “onlay” swine model.ConclusionsIn terms of recurrences, contaminated abdominal wall defects or other contraindications to the use of prosthetic materials, biological mesh repair or flap surgery are the only surgical options. Based on our findings and considering the high cost reported by the biological meshes use, flap surgery becomes the suitable treatment for such cases, allowing a good reconstruction of the abdominal wall.

Multicriteria analysis applied to the management of urban pluvial waters

ABSTRACT The urbanization process significantly changes natural drainage processes within a river basin, for instance with the increase of volume of rainwater drained superficially it also increases the peak flows of water bodies, degradation of the water quality, and the sediment generation, among others. Rainwater drainage management plays a key role in urban areas, becoming increasingly complex, involving not only hydrological and hydraulic aspects, but also environmental, social and health issues, as well as other technical and high costs issues. This complexity leads, increasingly, to the use of multicriteria analysis as a support for decision-making. To deal with this, this work aimed to apply a multicriteria analysis methodology, using PROMETHEE method, to issues of urban rainwater drainage. The results indicated that the application of multiparticipative decision making and multicriteria analysis to possible scenarios of hydraulic interventions is well suited to reality.

Evolution of forest pedogenesis in the south of the forest-steppe of the Central Russian Upland in the Late Holocene

The Late Holocene stage of forest pedogenesis has been studied on the interfluves along river valleys in the forest-steppe zone of the Central Russian Upland. The development of gray forest soils from the former chernozems as a result of the Late Holocene advance of forest vegetation over steppes is discussed. It is argued that the climatic conditions of the Subatlantic period were unstable, so that multiple alternation of forest and steppe vegetation communities took place. This specified a complex character of soil evolution upon contrasting substitution of forest pedogenesis for steppe pedogenesis. On the interfluves near the natural drainage network (balkas, ravines, and steep slopes of river valleys), the climate-driven dynamics of forest and steppe vegetation with corresponding changes in the character of pedogenesis could take place during the entire Holocene, which is reflected in a lower thickness of humus profiles and deeper leaching of carbonates from chernozems of the Early Iron Age in comparison with their analogues formed under steppe cenoses in central parts of the interfluves. Two variants of the evolution of gray forest soils can be suggested: the pulsating evolution typical of balkas and interfluves near river valleys and the continuous progressive evolution typical of automorphic (plakor) positions in central parts of the interfluves.

Spatial and Temporal Analysis of Natural Drainage in the Ressacada Aquifer (Florianopolis, Brazil)

Spatial and Temporal Analysis of Natural Drainage in the Ressacada Aquifer (Florianopolis, Brazil)

A New Angle on Angle Surgery

Glaucoma surgery has long relied on ab externo techniques such as augmented trabeculectomy and tube-shunt procedures. While these have excellent potential to lower intraocular pressure (IOP), they are associated with risks, including hypotony, and are therefore conventionally reserved for those with advanced glaucoma or at high risk of visual loss. Traditional filtering surgery attempts to bypass the eye’s physiological outflow pathway, however new minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) procedures have recently been introduced that focus on the angle structures as a target for improving aqueous outflow. There are a growing number of ab interno MIGS procedures that utilise the natural drainage pathways of the eye in the management of glaucoma. This article examines the progress so far and describes how the angle has become a viable target for glaucoma surgery.

Change in Urban Landuse and its Effect on Natural Drainage System: A Geographical Micro Leveled Study of Bhosari Stream (PCMC)

Change in Urban Landuse and its Effect on Natural Drainage System: A Geographical Micro Leveled Study of Bhosari Stream (PCMC)

Treatment for early postoperative esophageal fistula complicated with anterior cervical surgery.

To investigate the efficacy of debridement, open drainage, and early feeding to treat early esophageal fistula complicated with anterior cervical surgery. Retrospective analysis was conducted on data from 3154 patients who had undergone anterior cervical surgeries for cervical vertebra diseases between January 2006 and January 2013, in which eight patients had esophageal fistula with five males and three females. Four patients had cervical spinal injuries and four patients had cervical spondylosis. All of whom had postoperative esophageal fistulas and underwent debridement and drainage. The wounds were left open for natural drainage. No drainage devices were placed in surgical sites, and no gastric tubes were placed after surgeries. Such normal food as rice balls but not liquid or semiliquid diet was recommended. Local pressurization was conducted with fists during feeding to prevent food overflowing from orificium fistulae. Healed esophageal fistulas were achieved in all of the patients after 1-2 weeks treatment. There weren't recurrent esophageal fistulas and delayed infection found during 2-5 years follow-up. Good swallowing functions and stable cervical vertebrae were achieved in all of the patients. The satisfactory therapeutic effects were achieved in patients with previous neck diseases. Frankel classifications were increased by 1-2 grades in patients with cervical spinal injuries. JOA scores were increased from 9.5 before surgery to 15.5 after surgery in patients with cervical vertebra diseases. Early postoperative esophageal fistula complication after anterior cervical surgery can successfully be treated by debridement, drainage without gastric tube, and with early oral postoperative feeding but without fluids.

SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF LYMPHATIC FILARIASIS IN CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA: A GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS) STUDY

Effective control efforts on Lymphatic filariasis (LF) are hindered by paucity of reliable data on spatial distribution of the disease. Aim: This study was aimed at mapping and describing the transmission pattern of lymphatic filariasis in order to identify high risk zones of infection in Cross River State (CRS), to guide intervention programmes. Method: An 8-year case record (2006-2013) of Lymphatic filariasis in the 18 local government areas (LGAs) of CRS was mapped using geographical information system, (GIS); employing the graduated colour map with natural break classification method. Thematic (LF incidence) maps generated in ArcView 3.1 were overlaid on vegetation and natural drainage maps of the state. Data on seasonal incidence were mapped through aggregation of attribute data (LF cases) by months. Data analysis was through thematic mapping and descriptive statistics. Results: Thematic maps displayed spatial variation in the distribution of LF in the state; showing Ogoja LGA with highest incidence (61.25%) of the 800 reported cases; Ikom, the lowest; 1(0.125%) and zero case in 7 LGAs. There were no visually remarkable patterns to suggest strong influence of vegetation and natural drainage on transmission. Greater proportion (82.12%) of cases was recorded in the dry season. Conclusion: The study has produced prevalence map of LF in the state, which could guide intervention programmes; and has also revealed paucity of data at the disposal of healthcare authorities, a situation that could hinder large scale intervention. Findings identify poor health-seeking behavior of the population and poor disease surveillance strategies in the state. Community health education, strengthening of public health apparatus and interventions through mass drug administration and integrated vector control, are recommended.

Pristine but metal-rich Río Sucio (Dirty River) is dominated by Gallionella and other iron-sulfur oxidizing microbes.

Whether the extreme conditions of acidity and heavy metal pollution of streams and rivers originating in pyritic formations are caused primarily by mining activities or by natural activities of metal-oxidizing microbes living within the geological formations is a subject of considerable controversy. Most microbiological studies of such waters have so far focused on acid mine drainage sites, which are heavily human-impacted environments, so it has been problematic to eliminate the human factor in the question of the origin of the key metal compounds. We have studied the physico-chemistry and microbiology of the Río Sucio in the Braulio Carrillo National Park of Costa Rica, 22km from its volcanic rock origin. Neither the remote origin, nor the length of the river to the sampling site, have experienced human activity and are thus pristine. The river water had a characteristic brownish-yellow color due to high iron-dominated minerals, was slightly acidic, and rich in chemolithoautotrophic iron- and sulfur-oxidizing bacteria, dominated by Gallionella spp. Río Sucio is thus a natural acid-rock drainage system whose metal-containing components are derived primarily from microbial activities.

Landslide susceptibility mapping of the Sera River Basin using logistic regression model

Of the natural hazards in Turkey, landslides are the second most devastating in terms of socio-economic losses, with the majority of landslides occurring in the Eastern Black Sea Region. The aim of this study is to use a statistical approach to carry out a landslide susceptibility assessment in one area at great risk from landslides: the Sera River Basin located in the Eastern Black Sea Region. This paper applies a multivariate statistical approach in the form of a logistics regression model to explore the probability distribution of future landslides in the region. The model attempts to find the best fitting function to describe the relationship between the dependent variable, here the presence or absence of landslides in a region and a set of independent parameters contributing to the occurrence of landslides. The dependent variable (0 for the absence of landslides and 1 for the presence of landslides) was generated using landslide data retrieved from an existing database and expert opinion. The database has information on a few landslides in the region, but is not extensive or complete, and thus unlike those normally used for research. Slope, angle, relief, the natural drainage network (including distance to rivers and the watershed index) and lithology were used as independent parameters in this study. The effect of each parameter was assessed using the corresponding coefficient in the logistic regression function. The results showed that the natural drainage network plays a significant role in determining landslide occurrence and distribution. Landslide susceptibility was evaluated using a predicted map of probability. Zones with high and medium susceptibility to landslides make up 38.8 % of the study area and are located mostly south of the Sera River Basin and along streams.

Flood Vulnerability Assessment in Northwestern Areas of Tehran

Many factors affect the flood vulnerability of the northwestern areas of Tehran. Urban infrastructure and the development of urban areas in river basins have changed the natural drainage patterns in the region. This has resulted in flooding, inundation, and higher costs for urban maintenance. Tehran is located on the southern slopes of the Alborz mountain range and downstream from several basins. The expansion of the urban area into elevated areas has exposed the city to many disasters including flooding. Districts 2 and 5 in the northwestern area of Tehran are vulnerable to floods because of their close vicinity to expansive basins, a high proportion of construction projects, a high population and housing density, land use changes, the development of the urban areas in river basins, and the unsuitable exploitation of watercourses. This research used topographic, land use, climatic, and hydrometric data. Criteria were selected, weighted by an analytic hierarchy process, and combined by fuzzy functions to obtain a vulnerability map. To understand the significant factors, we applied water profiles and hydrographs to determine priorities through a multi-layer perceptron network. The final vulnerability map indicated that the most vulnerable areas are outside the urban lands near the river channels. The results also indicated that a combination of urban factors and drainage basin agents intensified the vulnerability of the study area. Although the near channel areas outside the urban areas are more vulnerable to flooding, other factors, including deteriorated fabric, curvature profile, and curvature, are significant in urban areas.

Alternative Energy Resources: Brassica Napus for Biofuel Production

Submit Manuscript | http://medcraveonline.com could be able to partly decrease the depth by using oil crops as base for biodiesel production. Brassica napus, widely known as rapeseed, is the most productive oil crops Europe mainly uses for biodiesel production in fact almost 65% of biodiesel production in Europe comes from rapeseed feedstock. Feed stocks for biofuel production can result from plants cultivated directly for this use or from crops parts. In this case plants are being cultivated for feed or any other use, while their wastes are being used for biofuel production. Furthermore, oil crops can be use as alternatives to petroleum-based substances in order to reduce the fossil fuel use, nevertheless, chemical composition of these fuels is highly leveled. Brassica napus, B. rapa, B. juncea Brassica’s commercial supply is dominated by two species, Brassica napus L. and B. rapa L. Both contain spring and winter forms that are distinguished by vernalization requirement. Seeds of these species contain 40 % or more oil. In 2013/2014 rape seed holds ca. 14 % of the world production of major oil crops [1,2]. According to FAO statistics (2014), rapeseed ranked number 14 in agricultural commodity production in Europe in 2012. Although many farmers still have doubts about cultivating crops for biodiesel production thinking of it as a risky action, agriculturists assure that oil crops cultivation is similar to any other one they may be used to. Brassica for example grows excellent in temperature not beyond 30 degrees while some species resist under -20 degrees. The plant does not have any specific need as for the soil structure, it grows well in any type of soil from 5, 5 up to 8,3 Ph levels, as soon as there is not poor natural internal drainage so as for the crop root to be adequate aerationed. Crop’s yield is 120-210 kg per acre while from this amount 4070 kg oil could be extracted (almost 50 % oil production). Oil can be extracted by crushing the seed and sqeezing the oil out. This oil tranfesterified to make biodiesel. The prices are usually specified under contracts between the farmer and the oil production company, however according to farmer prices range between 4045 Euros per kilo. In addition to Brassica napus, many other plants produce oil which could be used as biodiesel. Soybean, canola, mustard, camelina, safflower, and tropical oilseed trees like palm tree and coconut are already being used for this purpose. Yet, researches are being held about three more oilseed crops that could be used as biodiesel feedstock, lesquerella, pennycress and hazelnuts might help us increase our future biofuel production. References

Timing and causes of gully erosion in the riparian zone of the semi-arid tropical Victoria River, Australia: Management implications

Gully erosion in the seasonally wet tropics of Australia is a major source of sediment in rivers. Stabilization of gullies to reduce impacts on aquatic ecosystems and water storages is a focus for management. However, the cause of the gully erosion is poorly understood and so a critical context for soil conservation is missing. It is uncertain if they are the result of post-European cattle grazing or are they much older and related to non-human factors. The causes of riparian gully erosion along a reach of the Victoria River in the semi-arid tropics of Australia were investigated using several methods. Gully complexes were described and characterised by two major components: a Flood Drainage Channel (FDC) and upslope of this an Outer Erosion Feature (OEF) characterised by badlands set within an amphitheatre. The OEF is likely to be a major source of sediment that appears to be of recent origin. A review of historical records, combined with Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) dating, showed that the FDCs were well established prior to the introduction of domestic stock. It also showed that the badlands began to develop about 90years ago; that is, about 40years after the arrival of domestic stock. In addition, an analysis of aerial photos coupled with an on-ground survey and analysis of fallout radionuclides revealed that erosion processes are still active within the gully complexes. While the FDCs are natural drainage channels, cattle grazing probably triggered the badland formation, with the expansion aided by increased rainfall in the past 40years. Therefore, the OEFs are of human origin and protection from grazing of the riparian zone should slow badland erosion and reduce sediment input to the river.

Electroosmotic drainage, a pilot application for extracting trapped capillary liquid in copper leaching

Electroosmotic drainage tests were carried out using one-cubic-meter tanks filled with solid residues from leaching copper. The main objective was to evaluate the efficiency of this technique for the removal of capillary-entrapped solution as a function of the following parameters or operational variables: electrode configuration, voltage applied, distance between electrodes, polarity reversal and intermittency of the applied voltage. The efficiency of this technique was compared to that of drainage by gravity, based on three indicators: moisture reduction, energy consumption per cubic meter of drained solution and drainage time factor, which allows a visualization of the reduction of drainage time in relation to natural drainage time by applying electroosmotic drainage. Of the three tested electrode configurations, hexagonal, linear and alternate linear, the last configuration with intermittency in applied voltage (12V) and a distance of 0.6m between electrodes gave the best results, with a moisture reduction of 2.02, an energy consumption of 6.7kWh/m3 and a drainage time factor of 6.45. Considering these results, it is demonstrated that the technology increases the spatial capacity of copper leaching and reduces the weight of the material to be transported.

Risk assessment and mitigation for the Hongshiyan landslide dam triggered by the 2014 Ludian earthquake in Yunnan, China

An Ms 6.5 earthquake shocked the Ludian County, Yunnan Province, China, on 3 August 2014 and triggered the Hongshiyan landslide dam. The dam, with a height of 83 m and a lake capacity of 260 × 106 m3, threatened more than 10,000 people. A unique feature of this landslide dam was that it formed between a man-made dam and a hydropower plant. An existing drainage tunnel connecting the lake and the hydropower plant became a natural drainage conduit for the landslide dam, which played an important role in the mitigation of the landslide dam risks. This paper reports a quantitative risk assessment for the Hongshiyan landslide dam considering both engineering and non-engineering risk mitigation measures. The risk assessment is divided into three stages according to the implementation of two engineering measures: construction of a diversion channel and excavation of a branch drainage tunnel. The dam breaching hydrographs, flood zones, population at risk, and likely fatalities in each of the three stages are analysed. The optimum evacuation strategy in each stage is also studied based on the principle of minimum total consequence. It is found that the diversion channel decreases the dam breaching peak discharge and the associated risks significantly. The branch drainage tunnel prevent the landslide dam from overtopping failure in non-flooded period; however, the landslide dam may fail by overtopping in a future flood if the inflow rate is larger than the outflow rate through the drainage tunnels, resulting in serious losses of lives and properties. The dam breaching risks in all the three stages could be largely reduced by the optimal evacuation decision, which shows that timely evacuation is vital to save life and properties. The study provides a scientific basis for decision making in landslide dam risk management.

Land suitability for final waste disposal with emphasis on septic systems installation in southern Minas Gerais, Brazil

ABSTRACT Environmental pollution is a problem that has been noted due to changes in the environment, affecting natural resources. Regarding the soil, it may offer great potential for waste disposal. Thus, this study aims to propose criteria for evaluating local suitability for waste disposal, according to soil and terrain attributes for southern Minas Gerais State, and to apply those criteria to define the most appropriate locations for installation of septic systems in a pilot watershed. Literature and the authors' experience were used to propose the more important criteria regarding the suitability of sites for waste disposal. The set of attributes taken into account was grouped into four suitability classes: Adequate, Regular, Restricted and Inadequate. The defined criteria and considered limiting were: soil depth, texture, textural gradient, structure, natural drainage, water infiltration, type of surface horizon, water table depth, depth of perched water table, distance from water bodies, relief, stoniness, rockiness and risk of flooding. From these, soil depth, natural drainage, water table depth, relief and distance from water bodies were adopted for the installation of septic systems. From the total area of the watershed, 5.29% fit in the Adequate suitability class. The Regular, Restricted, and Inadequate sites accounted for, respectively, 19.72%, 41.99% and 33% of the wathershed. Factors such as soil and terrain attributes provide a basis for defining more appropriate places for waste disposal. Future work should involve the refinement of these propositions, since there are rare studies in this research line in Brazil.

ERT-based Investigation of a Sinkhole in Greene County, Missouri

Investigating sinkhole morphology and formation mechanisms is key to understanding their long term impact and susceptibility to development, and aids in the design of effective mitigation measures. In this study, ERT (electrical resistivity tomography), MASW (multichannel analysis of surface waves) and borehole data were used to image the subsurface morphology of an active sinkhole in Greene County, Missouri. The study reveals that the sinkhole developed along a natural surface drainage pathway above a pervasively fractured limestone. The subsurface image of the sinkhole depicts a zone of near-vertical water seepage and soil piping. Based on the nature of the overburden material, and the morphology and current/past surface expression of the sinkhole, it is concluded that the sinkhole is predominantly a cover subsidence type of sinkhole. However, it is possible that minor cover collapse occurred locally and in an area slightly to the north of the current active sinkhole.