Topographical Type Research Articles

Raising Social Awareness for Disaster Preparedness and Learning Its Sustainability Through the Production and Sale of Earth Sciences-Based Products and Their Contribution to the Economy

The present study aimed to prepare various tables in line with sustainability goals in disaster preparedness and social awareness and present recommendations for different product varieties, product design characteristics, and promotion and sale of these products on the basis of earth sciences. Disaster type diversity, target groups, and Türkiye’s regional differences were taken into account when preparing tables. The geological, geographical, meteorological, topographical, urbanization and settlement type characteristics and diversity of seven regions of Türkiye's geography were emphasized. The importance of product development and sales according to the target group and regional characteristics was expressed with the diversity of disaster types and all characteristics of the regions. The possibility for society to access scientific knowledge through simpler, faster, and more sustainable forms of education and learning, through product production and sales, was presented as an approach in disaster preparedness. It was also thought that it could be internationally accepted in this way, guide international studies, and provide support to internationally recognized NGOs and foundations as a social project. Furthermore, it was estimated that contributions could be made to the country’s economy, promotion, tourism, and employment. Therefore, the recommendations in this article can significantly benefit society in terms of both sustainability and contributions.

Assessment of correlation amongst physico-chemical, topographical, geological, lithological and soil type parameters for measuring water quality of Rawal watershed using remote sensing

Abstract The quality of water is traditionally assessed by the collection of physico-chemical parameters, i.e., pH, turbidity, dissolved oxygen of the water bodies. However, the variations in environmental factors may have an impact on the quality of water, as changes in these attributes may affect the water bodies. These factors include the topographical, geological, lithological and soil type parameters of the watershed. In this study, the relationship amongst the physico-chemical, topographical, geological, lithological and soil type parameters of the Rawal watershed was evaluated. The parameters included in the present study could be classified as follows: (a) water quality parameters (b) topographical parameters, (c) geological parameters, (d) lithological parameters, and (e) soil type parameters. Water quality parameters consisted of dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity and temperature. The topographical parameters include the slope and aspect of the watershed while the lithological, geological and soil type parameters include the lithology, geology and soil type of the watershed. Pearson's correlation was used to determine the relationship amongst these different parameters. The results have revealed that the correlations of the topographical, lithological, geological parameters with the water quality parameters in the Rawal watershed for the monsoon seasons of June to August mostly have the same trend. Throughout the four-year time period, turbidity and temperature parameters had positive correlations with soil type (ranging 0.03–0.24), but however had weak correlation with geological and lithological parameters. Dissolved oxygen did not show any relationship with topographical and lithological parameters. The results for pH show that it has weak to fair positive correlations with topographical parameters. However, this analysis is based on the Landsat 8 images extracted for the monsoon seasons of the years 2017–2020, and to examine a more prominent impact of geographical or environmental factors on the physico-chemical features, a large dataset should be considered.

Clinical profile of pediatric patients with cerebral palsy

Background and Aim: Cerebral Palsy (CP) describes a group of permanent disorders of the development of movement and posture, causing activity limitation, that is attributed to nonprogressive disturbances that occurred in the developing fetal or infant brain. Hence the present study was planned with the sole objective to study the clinical profile of patients of cerebral palsy and to assess the spectrum of functional disability. Materials and Methods: A total of 100 consecutive children diagnosed as cerebral palsy attending the pediatric department and Rehabilitation center were included in the study. Participants were examined forbehavioral problems like Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD) and ADHD. Complete evaluation of a child with CP included an assessment of associated deficits like vision, speech and hearing, oromotor evaluation, epilepsy, and cognitive functioning. Results:Out of 1000 cases studied, spastic cerebral palsy was the commonest physiological type of cerebral palsy (82%). atonic, athetoid, and dystonic types formed the rest of the 18% of cases. Among the spastic group, quadriplegia was the commonest topographical type (48%) followed by diplegia (24%). The study showed 96% of patients were mentally retarded. In the study, 48% ofchildren with CP had a seizure disorder. Conclusion: Spastic cerebral palsy was the commonest clinical type of cerebral palsy withquadriplegia being the most common topographical type of spastic cerebral palsyfollowed by diplegia as observed in this study. The prevalenceof behavioral problems like autism spectrum disorder and ADHD in the clinical sampleof children with CP was found to be 10%.PDD is not rare in CP and should be considered in patients with other comorbid conditions.

PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH CONSTIPATION CEREBRAL PALSY CHILDREN IN PAKISTAN

Objective: To find prevalence of constipation and associated risk factors among cerebral palsy. Material & Methods: The Cross sectional and case control study was conducted in physiotherapy department of National Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine Islamabad (NIRM) after approval from director of NIRM. The inclusion criteria were CP children with age between 2-12 years and Children with any other systemic co morbidities, physical deformity in GIT, intellectual disability and recent traumatic brain injury were excluded. A total of n=170 subjects fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were part of the study. The data was collected in term of age, gender, body mass index (BMI), types of CP children, fluid, fiber and calories intake. Spasticity and functional independence were also measured through Modified Ashworth scale (MAS) and Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) respectively. The constipation in CP children was measure through defecation frequency. Defecation frequency measured less than three times a week was considered constipation and Constipation assessment scale (CAS). The data was described in the form of frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, correlation, chi-square and p-value. Results: The results showed that all characteristics including age, spasticity, functional independence, fluid intake, calories intake, fiber intake, physiological and topographical type of CP children showed significant association (p<0.05) with defecation frequency and constipation severity except BMI and gender (p≥0.05). Conclusion: Constipation is highly prevalent in cerebral palsy. The early age, increased spasticity, decreased functional independence related to increased constipation CP children. It was also concluded that low fluid, calories and fiber intake were also contributing factor in development of constipation. The children with spastic cerebral palsy and quadriplegia are more related to constipation than other kind of cerebral palsy. Keywords: Cerebral palsy, constipation, constipation severity scale, defecation frequency, modified ashworth scale, gross motor functional classification scale.

Relationships between the characteristics of soil and understory in a Pinus massoniana forest in southern China

Soil is the basis for vegetation growth, and vegetation in turn improves soil quality. Understanding the relationships between soil and vegetation characteristics is needed to rehabilitate degraded land and implement sustainable land use practices. In particular, it is important to uncover the relationship between natural vegetation restoration and key soil parameters for the improvement of restored ecological environments. This study analyzed the relationships between soil and understory characteristics of a P. massoniana forest in degraded red soil in southern China. Red soils in this area have been severely eroded. The soils were categorized into three groups whose attributes differed significantly and each group was distributed within a topographical type. Understory and soil characteristics were closely correlated, but restoration of the understory was only related to some key soil attributes (e.g. available potassium content, pH, soil water content, bacteria amounts, and urease and catalase activities). Our results provide insight into the relationships between soil and vegetation characteristics for natural revegetation in degraded land with severely eroded soil.

Converting Larch Plantations to Larch-Walnut Mixed Stands: Effects of Spatial Distribution Pattern of Larch Plantations on the Rodent-Mediated Seed Dispersal of Juglans mandshurica

Larch (Larix spp.) is planted after a clear-cut of secondary forests (SFs) to meet the timber demand of Northeast China. However, the declination of soil fertility and the acidification of surface runoff in larch plantations (LPs) resulting from mono-species composition have threatened the sustainable development of LPs. Converting pure LPs into larch-walnut mixed forests can solve those problems, in which it is crucial to promote the seed regeneration of Juglans mandshurica in LPs. The success of walnut seed regeneration is dependent on rodent removing seed away from mother trees and the dispersal processes rely on the stand structure. The spatial distribution pattern between LPs and SFs is a type of stand structure that might affect seed dispersal. There are two typical spatial patterns in Northeast China due to different topographical conditions, that is, contour type (C-T, LPs and SFs located at the same slope position and aspect) and downslope type (D-T, LPs located at the down slope of the adjacent SF in the same aspect). The objectives of our study were to verify the effects of the spatial distribution pattern of LPs on rodent-mediated seed dispersal and to determine the optimal spatial distribution type for seed dispersal. The field trial was conducted by releasing tagged J. mandshurica seeds at three stages of seed rain during two continuous growing seasons in two types of spatial distribution patterns for LPs. We found that contour type had a substantial advantage in the rodent-mediated seed dispersal, that is, the dispersal rate and the proportion of scatter-hoarded seeds in LPs of C-T stands were much higher than in D-T stands, respectively. These differences may be caused by the variation in the topographic factor for these two types of spatial distribution pattern of LPs. In the C-T stands, it was a translational motion for rodents to remove walnuts from SFs to LPs, which would be an energy efficient and favorable method of seed dispersal. Fluctuation of seed abundance had an effect on rodent behaviors and seed fates, that is, there was a faster dispersal rate and lower proportion of seeds in situ in the non-masting year of 2015 than in the masting year of 2016 and proportion of scatter-hoarded seeds reached the highest during the early stage and lowest at the middle stage of seed rain. Thus, the contour type of LPs with a favorable terrain advantage is potentially conducive to dispersing walnut seeds by rodents during early stage of seed rain and converting larch plantations into larch-walnut mixed forests.

Breast carcinoma in sclerosing adenosis: a clinicopathological and immunophenotypical analysis on 206 lesions

AimsTo fully elucidate the clinicopathological features of breast carcinoma in sclerosing adenosis (SA-BC).MethodsClinical and histological characteristics of 206 SA-BCs from 180 patients were retrospectively evaluated. Immunohistochemical phenotype was examined. The...

Biogeochemical and Ecomorphological Niche Segregation of Mediterranean Woody Species along a Local Gradient.

According with niche theory the species are specialized in different ecological niches, being able to coexist as result of a differential use of resources. In this context, the biogeochemical niche hypothesis proposes that species have an optimal elemental composition which results from the link between the chemical and morphological traits for the optimum plant functioning. Thus, and attending to the limiting similarity concept, different elemental composition and plant structure among co-occurring species may reduce competition, promoting different functional niches. Different functional habits associated with leaf life-span or growth forms are associated with different strategies for resource uptake, which could promote niche partitioning. In the present study, based on the biogeochemical niche concept and the use of resources in different proportions, we have focused on leaf traits (morphological and chemical) associated with resource uptake, and explored the niche partitioning among functional habits: leaf life-span (deciduous, evergreen, and semideciduous) and growth (tree, shrub, and arborescent-shrub). To this end, we have quantified the hypervolume of the leaf functional trait space (both structure and chemical composition) in a sample of 45 Mediterranean woody species from Sierra Morena Mountains (Spain) growing along a local soil resource gradient. Our results show consistent variation in functional space for woody communities distributed along the environmental gradient. Thus, communities dominated by deciduous trees with faster growth and a predominant acquisitive strategy were characteristic of bottom forests and showed highest leaf biogeochemical space. While semideciduous shrubs and evergreen (arborescent, trees) species, characterized by a conservative strategy, dominated ridge forests and showed smaller functional space. In addition, within each topographical zone or environment type, the foliar biogeochemical niche partitioning would underlie the species ability to coexist by diverging on leaf nutrient composition and resource uptake. Lower niche overlap among functional habits were found, which support that different growth forms and leaf life-habits may facilitate the coexistence of the woody species and niche partitioning along and within the gradient.

Clinical Spectrum, Comorbidities, and Risk Factor Profile of Cerebral Palsy Children: A Prospective Study.

Aim and Objective:Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common motor disability in childhood. This study aimed to describe clinical spectrum, comorbidities, and risk factors associated with CP children.Materials and Methods:This hospital-based observational study was conducted in tertiary level hospital in Jaipur including 180 CP children aged 1–12 years, attending the Paediatric Neurology Outdoor and Child Development Centre. A detailed history of antenatal, natal, and postnatal events taken and thorough examination was performed to stratify children in proper topographical and physiological classification.Results:Mothers of 47.7% CP children were primigravida and 17.7% mothers had anemia during pregnancy. Among natal factors, asphyxia contributed to maximum cases (52.2%). Seizure in postnatal life was the second most common risk factor for CP after asphyxia. Spastic CP (84.4%) was the most common physiological type, and quadriplegia (56.6%) was the most common topographical type observed in this study. Intellectual disability (47.7%) followed by epilepsy (41.6%) was the most common comorbidity.Conclusion:Even with the advancement of health-care system, asphyxia is the most common risk factor, and spastic quadriplegia is the most common type of CP. There is still a need of improving the health facilities to overcome this costly and common neuromotor disability. Widespread knowledge of common risk factors that can predispose to CP can prevent the CP development to some extent and knowledge of clinical spectrum, and comorbidities can improve their targeted treatment which can improve their growth and social participation.

Ni grade distribution in laterite characterized from geostatistics, topography and the paleo-groundwater system in Sorowako, Indonesia

Many nickel (Ni) resources and reserves originate from laterite-type deposits in which the grade distributions are generally controlled by the Ni content of the original strata, the degree of weathering, groundwater–rock interaction and the overall strata thickness and distribution. This study aims to clarify the three-dimensional (3D) Ni grade distribution and variation at a mine in the Sorowako area, central Sulawesi Island, Indonesia. Using geostatistics, the relationship between Ni and other chemical components is investigated, as well as topographic effects. Modeling of the grade distribution is achieved using ordinary kriging for single variables because the correlation of Ni with other components is weak. The modeling suggests that relatively high-grade zones are concentrated below a specific topographical type; that is a slight to moderate slope in the 5–19° range. The topography has likely controlled groundwater infiltration through rock fractures formed by the long-term tectonic processes affecting the area and the resultant groundwater interaction with the Ni-bearing strata. The initial Ni is carried as a dissolved phase and precipitated elsewhere, generating the Ni accumulation. By regarding the paleo-groundwater system as one controlling factor on the grade distribution, the thicknesses of limonite and saprolite layers formed by weathering are modeled around rock sampling points with flow being directed from the thinnest to the thickest points in each layer. This model is supported by the presence of Ni-bearing goethite in almost all the samples obtained from the limonite and saprolite layers. Notably, the 3D grade model indicates that the estimated paleo-groundwater flow direction corresponds with the transition from low to high Ni grades around the sampling sites. Weathering is therefore considered to have progressed along the paleo-groundwater flow direction, enhancing the thicknesses of limonite and saprolite layers, as well as the Ni grades, by prolonging the reaction between ferrous minerals and groundwater. The topographic control is considered to have enhanced recharge, infiltration, and reaction of groundwater.

Sclerosing adenosis as a predictor of breast cancer bilaterality and multicentricity.

Breast cancer is occasionally complicated by sclerosing adenosis (SA). Although both lesions usually originate in the terminal duct lobular unit, their pathogenetic relationship has not yet been elucidated. The present study analyzed 63 breast cancer patients with SA (involving a total of 75 breasts) to clarify if coexisting SA increased the frequency of multicentric breast cancer or not. Using the topographical classification proposed in our previous study, breast cancers with SA were classified into the following three types: type A (n = 22), cancer area was completely surrounded by the SA; type B (n = 26), cancer area partially overlapped the SA; and type C (n = 27), cancer area was located separate from the SA. Breast cancers with SA had a significant (P < 0.001) increase in frequency of harboring bilateral and multicentric cancers [17 of 63 (27%) and 15 of 63 (24%), respectively] when compared to breast cancer patients without SA, regardless of topographical type. Breast cancers with SA were less invasive (P < 0.001), of lower histological grade (P = 0.034), and had similar frequency of estrogen receptor-positive (P = 0.21) and HER2-positive (P = 0.74) tumors. In conclusion, contralateral and ipsilateral multicentric breast cancers occurred at a higher frequency in those with SA. Our data suggest that SA is, in addition to lobular neoplasia, a predictor of multicentric breast cancers.

Topographical evolution of sputtered chromium nitride thin films

The modification of the morphology, with special emphasis on the topographical evolution, of chromium nitride thin films has been studied by varying the sputter power, bias voltage, temperature, total pressure and Ar/N 2 ratio in an unbalanced magnetron sputtering process. Six different topography types (here designated pyramid, grain, crater, cone, ribbon and hillock) were identified. The growth conditions for each topography type are specified and summarized in a topography zone model showing the occurrence of each as function of temperature, Ar/N 2 ratio, deposition rate and bias voltage. Furthermore, the relationship between the size of the topographical features and the deposition parameters was investigated and is reported in detail. The control of topographical type and feature size appears sufficient to hold promise of generating topographies designed for specific functions.

Influence of gait pattern on the body's centre of mass displacement in children with cerebral palsy.

We assessed the influence of digitigrade gait pattern, topographical types, severity of motor involvement, and locomotor experience on the body's centre of mass (COM) displacement during gait in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP). Three-dimensional COM displacements were computed from ground reaction forces in 51 independent digitigrade walkers (29 males, 22 females; mean age 10 years 6 months, SD 2 years 7 months, range 7 to 15 years). Results obtained from 10 participants without disabilities (five males, five females), in the same age range as the patients with CP, were used as a reference plantigrade group. Vertical and forward COM displacements were significantly different between the digitigrade and the plantigrade walkers. Neither the topographical type (quadriplegia, n=5; diplegia, n=20; right hemiplegia, n=13; left hemiplegia, n=13), nor the severity of motor involvement, nor the locomotor experience influenced COM displacements. We conclude that the COM displacement during gait in patients with CP was mainly influenced by the digitigrade gait pattern encountered in this neurological disorder rather than the different topographical types and motor involvements.

Influence of gait pattern on the body's centre of mass displacement in children with cerebral palsy

We assessed the influence of digitigrade gait pattern, topographical types, severity of motor involvement, and locomotor experience on the body's centre of mass (COM) displacement during gait in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP). Three‐dimensional COM displacements were computed from ground reaction forces in 51 independent digitigrade walkers (29 males, 22 females; mean age 10 years 6 months, SD 2 years 7 months, range 7 to 15 years). Results obtained from 10 participants without disabilities (five males, five females), in the same age range as the patients with CP, were used as a reference plantigrade group. Vertical and forward COM displacements were significantly different between the digitigrade and the plantigrade walkers. Neither the topographical type (quadriplegia, n=5; diplegia, n=20; right hemiplegia, n=13; left hemiplegia, n=13), nor the severity of motor involvement, nor the locomotor experience influenced COM displacements. We conclude that the COM displacement during gait in patients with CP was mainly influenced by the digitigrade gait pattern encountered in this neurological disorder rather than the different topographical types and motor involvements.

Hydrochemical characteristics of aquifers near Sutherland in the Western Karoo, South Africa

The Western Karoo depends entirely on groundwater for domestic and agricultural use. An understanding of the chemical evolution of the groundwater provides insight into the interaction of water with the environment and contributes to better resource management. Descriptive statistics, correlation matrices and factor analysis, together with stable isotope data were used to gain an understanding of the hydrochemical processes of the groundwaters in the fractured rocks around Sutherland in the Western Karoo. The main processes influencing the groundwater chemistry are salinisation, mineral precipitation and dissolution, cation exchange and human activity. The stable isotope data indicate that the infiltration of evaporated water is partly responsible for the occurrence of saline subsurface waters. The ionic, oxygen and hydrogen stable isotope composition of the groundwaters suggests that the effects of localised topography are one of the overriding factors controlling the groundwater chemistry. In higher lying areas, Ca(HCO 3) 2 type waters are prevalent, while in topographical flat areas NaCl type waters dominate. In areas where water collects close to or at the surface, saline soils are formed. From these areas salts are leached to the subsurface, during significant recharge periods. These findings are important in that they contribute to the identification of suitable locations for developing groundwater resources that could yield a relatively better quality water.

Botulinum toxin A in cerebral palsy: Functional outcomes

Botulinum toxin A in cerebral palsy: Functional outcomes

Texture Analysis of Grey-Tone Images by Mathematical Morphology: A Nondestructive Tool for the Quantitative Assessment of Stone Decay

Both a low-cost and easily handled nondestructive methodology and its validation criterion are proposed. The methodology is based on image analysis by mathematical morphology for the assessment of decayed stone surfaces in historic limestone buildings. It is adapted to follow the evolution, at macroscopic time and space scales, of stone materials used in art pieces and monument building stones. This methodology is applied to the quantitative analysis of textures of static grey-tone CCD video camera images representative of flat stone structures that cannot be handled. These structures line the walls inside an important church, Basilica da Estrela, built in the 18th century and located in the city of Lisbon. Detailed visual/tactile observation shows that these flat vertical structures are more or less damaged depending on their position inside the church. The damage is possibly associated with different environment conditions both from the atmosphere inside the church and from contact with the walls of the church. The presence of these pathologies breaks down the order and organization of sound rock textures introducing changes in the topographical and optical characteristics of the texture of the surfaces. This new methodology is based on the granulometry and covariance analysis of grey-tone images corresponding to the structures studied. The validation criterion allows the results of the proposed methodology to be compared to the results of a previous qualitative study made by experts in the field using visual assessment and monument mapping as a valid methodology to assess the degree of decay. This procedure is based on optical and topographical characteristics and type of decay of the stone surface, and the quantity of material lost from the surface of the panels during the year. As discussed in this paper, in the context of cultural heritage, the proposed methodology was validated and its results can be considered an improvement on and complementary to expert visual analysis and also to other nondestructive techniques.

Successional change of forest pattern along topographical gradients in warm‐temperate mixed forests in Mt Kiyosumi, central Japan

AbstractForest patterns along topographical gradients were compared between second‐ and old‐growth forested watersheds in a warm‐temperate zone of Mt Kiyosumi, central Japan. Three community types were distinguished depending on the topographical habitat type in each watershed, for example, conifer forest was dominated by Abies firma and Tsuga sieboldii on ridge sites, evergreen broad‐leaved forest was dominated by Quercus acuta, Q. salicina and Castanopsis cuspidata var. sieboldii on slope sites, and deciduous forest was dominated by Euptelea polyandra and Cornus controversa in valley sites. Beta diversity and distinctiveness of each topographical community type increased with progression of secondary succession. Conifers and evergreen broad‐leaved trees, which were intermingled with each other on ridges and slopes of the second‐growth watershed, were in turn restricted to the ridge and slope habitat type, respectively, in the old‐growth watershed. The process of this differentiation can be explained by the continuous regeneration of conifers on ridge sites, and its absence on slope sites due to different light conditions caused by progressive canopy closure of evergreen trees on the slope sites toward the old‐growth watershed. In the valley type habitat, frequent soil disturbance, such as landslides and soil creep, hinder the continuous growth of late successional evergreen trees, and thus seral or pioneer deciduous trees can persist in the habitat.

Topographical origin and genglion cell type of the retino-pulvinar projection in the cat

Topographical origin and genglion cell type of the retino-pulvinar projection in the cat

THE OCCURRENCE OF BROWNTOP, IN THE MANAWATU

Results are presented from a survey of the frequency of occurrence of pasture species in the different topographical and soil type areas of the Manawatu. It was carried out in the early spring of 1967 and again in the summer of 1968. The survey indicated a high frequency of occurrence of browntop on hill country (81 and 87% in early spring and summer, respectively) and terrace country (46 and 40%, respectively) and moderate amounts on flat land and sand country. Lowest occurrence was recorded on flat country dairy farms (15 and 17%, respectively). Marked differences in species frequency of occurrence were recorded between farms on hill country. These ranged from farms in which pastures were dominantly browntop, sweet vernal, and moss, to farms where relatively high amounts of white clover, ryegrass, and dogstail occurred in association with other less productive species. These differences have been related to produotivity levels possible from such extremes in species composition. Results are discussed in relation to current hill country farming practices. Factors considered to be significant in altering hill country botanical composition and hence levels of productivity are also discussed.