Unit Catchment Research Articles

Implementing a multisite shared haemodialysis care programme.

Adults receiving centre-based haemodialysis (HD) have low levels of patient activation which are associated with poorer outcomes. Shared haemodialysis care (SHC) describes an intervention whereby individuals are supported to undertake elements of their treatment to improve their activation levels and promote better self-care. This project aimed to increase the proportion of those performing SHC in seven HD centres within the Oxford Kidney Unit's catchment area. Sequential Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles effected change first in two central HD centres, in cycles 1 and 2, before rolling out to five satellite HD centres, in cycles 3 and 4. Cycle 1 explored and transformed staff perceptions regarding SHC using a questionnaire and teaching sessions while in cycle 2, staff partnered with patients to develop leaflets and noticeboards to improve awareness and participation. These interventions were then rolled out to the remaining HD centres in PDSA cycles 3 and 4. Other interventions included: Enrolling staff and patients in virtual training courses; designating SHC 'Champions'; engagement with a national SHC forum; and changes to the electronic patient record to enable the monitoring of patient SHC opportunity and to promote sustainable change. Outcome measurement data on the number of patients performing SHC and the number at different defined stages of SHC competency were captured monthly. In April 2022, only 4% (19/483) of those receiving centre-based HD performed any aspect of SHC. By the end of the project in December 2023, this had increased to 43% (220/511). There was a significant and sustained growth in the stage of patient SHC competency as well as the number of patients performing SHC in each HD centre. The project demonstrated that it is possible to implement, scale-up and maintain a multisite SHC programme even with little baseline staff and patient SHC experience.

Global polygons for terrain classification divided into uniform slopes and basins

Global terrain classification data have been used for various issues related to topography such as the estimation of soil types and of ground vulnerability to earthquakes and the creation of seismic hazard maps. However, due to the resolution of digital elevation models (DEMs), the terrain classification data from previous studies could not discriminate small landforms such as plains at the bottom of narrow valleys and small rises in plains. Owing to the greater regional variation of small landforms, there is trade-off between DEMs of higher resolution and the creation of global geomorphological legends. To address this problem, we first merged regions with similar topographic characteristics using slope gradients and HAND (height above the nearest drainage) calculated by the 90-m-spatial-resolution DEMs interpolated from the multi-error-removed improved-terrain DEM (MERIT DEM), and united the polygons with the unit catchments of the MERIT-Basins dataset, so that the polygons contain calculated terrain measurements (slope gradient, HAND, surface texture, local convexity, sinks) and noise types as attributes, as well as the ID number of the unit catchment. In addition, we performed k-means clustering on the dataset using slope gradient, HAND, and surface texture, which can be combined with the dataset as a simple terrain classification. The clustering results were prepared in 15 and 40 global uniform clusters and 15 and 40 clusters for each basin to understand the global appearance of the terrain and provide zoning data for regional problem-solving. The 15 clusters were prepared to observe the outline of the terrain without any processing, whereas the 40 clusters were prepared to group and reclassify the polygons to create zoning data for each region. This dataset showed improvements in terms of capturing the small rises in plains compared to the authors' previous global terrain classification data. This dataset can be used as a proxy and is expected to contribute to modeling and estimation in various applications that are known to be related to topography. The datasets of this article are available at [https://gisstar.gsi.go.jp/terrain2021/].

Supraglacial Drainage Efficiency of the Greenland Ice Sheet Estimated From Remote Sensing and Climate Models

AbstractSupraglacial stream/river catchments drain large volumes of surface meltwater off the southwestern Greenland Ice Sheet surface. Previous studies note a strong seasonal evolution of their drainage density (Dd), a classic measure of drainage efficiency defined as open channel length per unit catchment area, but a direct correlation between Dd and surface meltwater runoff (R) has not been established. We use 27 high‐resolution (∼0.5 m) satellite images to map seasonally evolving Dd for four GrIS supraglacial catchments, with elevations ranging from 1,100 m to 1,700 m. We find a positive linear correlation (r2 = 0.70, p < 0.01) between Dd and simulations of runoff production from two climate models (MAR v3.11 and MERRA‐2). Applying this R‐Dd empirical relationship to climate model output enables parameterization of spatial and temporal changes in supraglacial drainage efficiency continuously throughout the melt season, although temporal and spatial skewness of Dd observations likely affects the application of this R‐Dd relationship on crevasse fields and snow/firn surfaces. Incorporating this information into a simple surface routing model finds that high runoff leads to earlier, larger diurnal peaks of runoff transport on the ice surface, owing to increased Dd. This effect progressively declines from low (∼1,100 m) to high (∼1,700 m) elevation, causing a roughly order‐of‐magnitude reduction in diurnal runoff variability at the highest elevations relative to standard climate model output. Combining intermittent satellite Dd mapping with climate model output thus promises to improve characterization of supraglacial drainage efficiency to the benefit of supraglacial meltwater routing and subglacial hydrology models.

Distributing Publicly-Funded Influenza Vaccine-Community Pharmacies' Perspectives on Acquiring Vaccines from Public Health and from Private Distributors in Ontario, Canada.

Objectives: To explore community pharmacies’ experience with two models of distribution for publicly-funded influenza vaccines in Ontario, Canada—one being publicly-managed (2015–2016 influenza season) and one involving private pharmaceutical distributors (2016–2017 season). Methods: Online surveys were distributed to community pharmacies across Ontario during the 2015–2016 and 2016–2017 influenza seasons with sampling proportional to Ontario Public Health Unit catchment populations. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively and inferentially and qualitative data were summarized for additional context. Results: Order fulfillment appeared more responsive with the addition of private distributors in 2016–2017, as more pharmacies reported shorter order fulfillment times (p < 0.01); however, pharmacies reported significantly more days with zero on-hand inventory in 2016–2017 (p < 0.01), as well as more instances of patients being turned away due to vaccine unavailability (p < 0.05). In both seasons, a similar proportion of pharmacies reported slower order fulfillment and limited order quantities early in the season. Improved availability early in the season when patient demand is highest, more vaccines in a pre-filled syringe format, and better communication from distributors on product availability dates were recommended in qualitative responses. Conclusions: Introducing private distributors for the management and fulfillment of pharmacies’ orders for the publicly funded influenza vaccine appeared to have mixed results. While key concerns surrounding the frequency, responsiveness, and method of delivery were addressed by this change, challenges remain—in particular, acquiring sufficient vaccine early in the season to meet patient demand. As pharmacies become more prominent as vaccination sites, there are several opportunities to ensure that patient demand is met in this setting.

Atuação de equipes da Estratégia Saúde da Família frente à epidemia de sarampo em Fortaleza, Ceará, Brasil

to report on Family Health Strategy action at a Primary Health Care Unit in addressing the measles epidemic in Fortaleza, CE, Brazil. the actions were carried out between September 2013 and December 2015; nineteen suspected measles cases were registered, three of which were confirmed: two children under 1 year old and one 27-year-old man. 16,726 people between 5 and 29 years old were vaccinated, vaccination coverage in the target population was 82.6%; 101% coverage was achieved among children aged 5 to 11 and 76.8% coverage of people aged 12 to 29. the strategies used contributed to achieving the vaccination coverage target in the target population, resulting in the population registered in the Health Unit catchment area falling into the category of low risk of measles transmission.

Management of Fishing Operational on Lift Net in Lekok Waters, Pasuruan Regency, East Java

Indonesia is an archipelago country, catching fish is one of the sectors that is highly evolved in Indonesia. One of the waters in Indonesia which has great fishery potential is Pasuruan Regency in East Java. Lift net is a fishing tool that is still widely used by small-scale fishermen in Indonesia, formed rectangular which was operable in coastal waters at night by using light fishing. The purposes of this article are to investigate how to operate a lift net and to explore deeper about the management of lift net operation in Lekok Waters, Pasuruan Regency. Data collection was done by using observation, interview, active participation and documentation. This research discuss about boat and the equipment, catcher tool components, location, length time of trip, procedures of fishing, types of fish, tools maintenance and business management. Based on the analysis of Revenue Cost Ratio (R/C Ratio) proved R/C ratio is &gt; 1, then the effort of catching fish by using lift net in Lekok Pasuruan is profitable. The value of BEP in units of the unit catchment is 1,278 kg, and the values BEP in-unit rupiah is Rp.9,064,516.

Effectiveness of upgraded maternity waiting homes and local leader training in improving institutional births among women in the Jimma zone, Ethiopia: study protocol for a cluster-randomized controlled trial

BackgroundEthiopia is one of the ten countries in the world that together account for almost 60% of all maternal deaths. Recent reductions in maternal mortality have been seen, yet just 26% of women who gave birth in Ethiopia in 2016 reported doing so at a health facility. Maternity waiting homes (MWHs) have been introduced to overcome geographical and financial barriers to institutional births but there is no conclusive evidence as to their effectiveness. We aim to evaluate the effects of upgraded MWHs and local leader training in increasing institutional births in the Jimma zone of Ethiopia.MethodsA parallel, three-arm, stratified, cluster-randomized controlled trial design is being employed to evaluate intervention effects on institutional births, which is the primary outcome. Trial arms are: (1) upgraded MWH + religious/community leader training; (2) leader training alone; and (3) standard care. Twenty-four primary health care unit catchment areas (clusters) have been randomized and 3840 women of reproductive age who had a pregnancy outcome (livebirth, stillbirth or abortion) are being randomly recruited for each survey round. Outcome assessments will be made using repeat cross-sectional surveys at baseline and 24 months postintervention. An intention to treat approach will be used and the primary outcome analysed using generalized linear mixed models with a random effect for cluster and time. A cost-effectiveness analysis will also be conducted from a societal perspective.DiscussionThis is one of the first trials to evaluate the effectiveness of upgraded MWHs and will provide much needed evidence to policy makers about aspects of functionality and the community engagement required as they scale-up this programme in Ethiopia.Trial registrationClinicalTrial.gov, NCT03299491. Retrospectively registered on 3 October 2017.

Reply to Comment on "Distribution of Ixodes scapularis in Northwestern Ontario: Results from Active and Passive Surveillance Activities in the Northwestern Health Unit Catchment Area".

We thank Mr [...].

Comment on Schillberg, E., et al; Distribution of Ixodes scapularis in Northwestern Ontario: Results from Active and Passive Surveillance Activities in the Northwestern Health Unit Catchment Area. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2018, 15, 2225.

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Abstract 32: “Rendezvous System” for Broadening a Mobile Stroke Unit Catchment Area

Purpose: Mobile Stroke Units (MSU) deliver acute stroke treatment on-scene in coordination with Emergency Medical Services (EMS) prior to transport to a stroke center. One criticism is the limited range of a single MSU. The Houston MSU is the only one in the U.S. using a rendezvous system with EMS to expand its range. Methods: In addition to direct 911 dispatch of our MSU directly to the scene for tPA eligible patients within our “catchment” area (8 miles), we asked more distant EMS units to notify the MSU and also monitored EMS radio communication to identify eligible patients. For these “distant” patients, the MSU meets the EMS unit enroute to the stroke center and treats the patient at that intermediate location (usually a parking lot). The distribution of the distance from MSU base station to site of stroke and time from alert to tPA bolus were compared between patients treated on scene and by rendezvous using Wilcoxon rank sum test. Results: From August 18, 2014 to July 20, 2018, 290 acute ischemic stroke patients were treated with tPA on our MSU. Of these, 140 (48.3%) were treated on scene by direct 911 dispatch, with a median of 7 miles (IQR 5 miles) from MSU base station. 150 (51.7%) patients were treated by rendezvous. They had their strokes a median of 13 miles from base (IQR 6 miles) (p&lt;0.0001). Time (min) from 911 alert to tPA bolus was 37.6±9.7 with on-scene, and 37.7±12.7 with rendezvous (p=0.89). Conclusion: A “rendezvous system” significantly expands the range of operations for a MSU in an urban area, doubling the number of patients treated, without incurring delay. This approach might be even more useful in rural areas.

Distribution of Ixodes scapularis in Northwestern Ontario: Results from Active and Passive Surveillance Activities in the Northwestern Health Unit Catchment Area.

The range of Ixodes scapularis is expanding in Ontario, increasing the risk of Lyme disease. As an effective public health response requires accurate information on disease distribution and areas of risk, this study aims to establish the geographic distribution of I. scapularis and its associated pathogen, B. burgdorferi, in northwestern Ontario. We assessed five years of active and passive tick surveillance data in northwestern Ontario. Between 2013 and 2017, 251 I. scapularis were submitted through passive surveillance. The submission rate increased over time, and the proportion infected with B. burgdorferi was 13.5%. Active tick surveillance from 2014 to 2016 found few I. scapularis specimens. In 2017, 102 I. scapularis were found in 10 locations around the city of Kenora; 60% were infected with B. burgdorferi, eight tested positive for A. phagocytophilum, and one for POWV. I. scapularis ticks were found in 14 locations within the Northwestern Health Unit area, with seven locations containing B. burgdorferi-positive ticks. We found abundant I. scapularis populations in the southern portion of northwestern Ontario and northward expansion is expected. It is recommended that I. scapularis populations continue to be monitored and mitigation strategies should be established for rural northern communities.

A Modeling Study of Direct and Indirect N2O Emissions From a Representative Catchment in the U.S. Corn Belt

AbstractIndirect nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from drainage ditches and headwater streams are poorly constrained. Few studies have monitored stream N2O emissions and fewer modeling studies have been conducted to simulate stream N2O emissions. In this study, we developed direct and indirect N2O emission modules and a corresponding calibration module for use in the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model, and implemented the expanded SWAT model (termed SWAT‐N2O) to a representative fourth‐stream‐order catchment (210 km2) and six first‐order stream catchments (0.22–1.83 km2) in southeastern Minnesota. We simulated the spatial and temporal fluctuations of the indirect emissions from streams, identified emission “hot spots” and “hot moments,” and diagnosed the correlations between direct and indirect emissions. We showed that zero‐order streams and first‐order streams could contribute 0.034–0.066 and 0.011 nmol N2O m−2 s−1 (expressed on the basis of unit catchment area) to the total surface emissions, respectively. Emissions from zero‐order and first‐order streams equal 24–41% of direct emissions from soil, which may explain the emission gap between calculations using top‐down and bottom‐up methods. Clear spatial patterns were identified for both direct and indirect emissions and their spatial variations were negatively correlated. Our results suggest that the IPCC N2O emission factor for streams in the Corn Belt should be increased by 3.2–5.7 times. Increasing precipitation and streamflow in the Corn Belt may potentially increase frequencies of soil anoxic conditions and nitrate leaching to streams, and subsequently increase N2O emissions from both soils and streams.

Characterization of wash-off from urban impervious surfaces and SuDS design criteria for source control under semi-arid conditions

Knowledge about pollutant wash-off from urban impervious surfaces is a key feature for developing effective management strategies. Accordingly, further information is required about urban areas under semi-arid climate conditions at the sub-catchment scale. This is important for designing source control systems for pollution. In this study, a characterization of pollutant wash-off has been performed over sixteen months, at the sub-catchment scale for urban roads as impervious surfaces. The study was conducted in Valencia, Spain, a city with a Mediterranean climate. The results show high event mean concentrations for suspended solids (98mg/l), organic matter (142mgCOD/l, 25mgBOD5/l), nutrients (3.7mgTN/l, 0.4mgTP/l), and metals (0.23, 0.32, 0.62 and 0.17mg/l for Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn, respectively). The results of the runoff characterization highlight the need to control this pollution at its source, separately from wastewater because of their different characteristics. The wash-off, defined in terms of mobilized mass (g/m2) fits well with both process-based and statistical models, with the runoff volume and rainfall depth being the main explanatory variables. Based on these results and using information collected from hydrographs and pollutographs, an approach for sizing sustainable urban drainage systems (SuDS), focusing on water quality and quantity variables, has been proposed. By setting a concentration-based target (TSS discharged to receiving waters <35mg/l), the results indicate that for a SuDS type detention basin (DB), an off-line configuration performs better than an on-line configuration. The resulting design criterion, expressed as SuDS volume per unit catchment area, assuming a DB type SuDS, varies between 7 and 10l/m2.

Do demographic and socio-economic characteristics of women with epilepsy influence contact with joint obstetric/neurology services in Northern Ireland?: Women with epilepsy and joint obstetric/neurology services

PurposeCare of pregnant women with epilepsy (WWE) should be shared between an epilepsy specialist and obstetrician. Joint care is provided by the regional, but not peripheral, maternity units in Northern Ireland (NI). We investigated whether demographic and socio-economic factors influenced access of joint obstetric/neurology services. MethodData on WWE delivering between 1st January 2012 and 31st December 2014 were collected. Demographic (age, parity, Trust residence) and socio-economic (employment status, deprivation level) factors were compared between three groups: (1) women delivering at the regional unit from its catchment, (2) women delivering at the regional unit from outside its catchment and (3) women delivering at peripheral units. Results447 WWE delivered in the 3-year period. 48% (214/447) and 52% (233/447) delivered at regional and peripheral units respectively. 42% delivering at the regional unit were from its catchment and 58% outside. There was no difference in parity, employment status or deprivation of WWE from outside the regional unit catchment who accessed joint services and those who did not. Trust residence was the strongest predictor of delivery location with women from adjacent Trusts over 90% less likely to deliver at peripheral units. Maternal age was also a predictor of delivery location with a woman aged 30 being 50% less likely to deliver at a peripheral unit than one aged 20. Conclusions52% of all WWE and 63% outside the regional unit catchment do not access the joint service. Service models which deliver improved access should focus on those in geographically distant locations and of younger age.

The assumption of uniform specific discharge: unsafe at any time?

AbstractNearby catchments in the same landscape are often assumed to have similar specific discharge (runoff per unit catchment area). Five years of streamflow from 14 nested catchments in a 68 km2 landscape was used to test this assumption, with the hypothesis that the spatial variability in specific discharge is smaller than the uncertainties in the measurement. The median spatial variability of specific discharge, defined as subcatchment deviation from the catchment outlet, was 33% at the daily scale. This declined to 24% at a monthly scale and 19% at an annual scale. These specific discharge differences are on the same order of magnitude as predicted for major land‐use conversions or a century of climate change. Spatial variability remained when considering uncertainties in specific discharge, and systematic seasonal patterns in specific discharge variation further provide confidence that these differences are more than just errors in the analysis of catchment area, rainfall variability or gauging. Assuming similar specific discharge in nearby catchments can thus lead to spurious conclusions about the effects of disturbance on hydrological and biogeochemical processes. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

Mathematical Model for Sediment Wash-Off from Urban Impervious Surfaces

AbstractMathematical models are significant tools for urban runoff management. A rational account of sediment-limited and energy-limited situations in developing a mathematical model may facilitate the improved simulation of total suspended solid (TSS) wash-off in urban impervious surfaces. In this study, a differential equation called the P/r model is proposed to improve the simulation of the sediment discharge process. In this equation, rainfall intensity and the ratio of sediment mass per unit catchment area to rainfall intensity are considered the main variables. The rationality behind the P/r model is analyzed. TSS wash-off from six rainfall events is investigated using the P/r model. Uncertainty analyses are performed to determine the best-fit parameters for the model, with the maximum Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) criterion being 0.53 and the minimum normalized objective function being 0.40. The observation percentage within prediction bands is 75%, and the average relative interval length is 1.0...

Pengaruh Hujan terhadap Perubahan Elevasi Muka Air Tanah pada Model Unit Resapan dengan Media Tanah Pasir

This study aimed to determine changes in ground water level against time to recharge the unit models with medium sand soil in cloudburst conditions, to determine the effect of changes in humidity land in heavy rain conditions and for the efficiency of the model unit catchment .. By using the model infiltration unit made from box 170x170x200 cm3 and infiltration well with dimensions of 30x30x100 cm3 filled with 90 cm thick layer of sandy soil . The results showed that changes in ground water level is 18.8 % , 22.4 % and 24 % for the test I, II, III , respectively .. Soil moisture for the test I ran to saturation at 110 minutes , while for II and III trials in the 90th minute . Unit efficiency filtration models in improving the soil surface water is 3.6 % . This suggests that these filtration units of the model can reduce surface water runoff and increasing groundwater levels.

Flow Regime Classification and Hydrological Characterization: A Case Study of Ethiopian Rivers

The spatiotemporal variability of a stream flow due to the complex interaction of catchment attributes and rainfall induce complexity in hydrology. Researchers have been trying to address this complexity with a number of approaches; river flow regime is one of them. The flow regime can be quantified by means of hydrological indices characterizing five components: magnitude, frequency, duration, timing, and rate of change of flow. Similarly, this study aimed to understand the flow variability of Ethiopian Rivers using the observed daily flow data from 208 gauging stations in the country. With this process, the Hierarchical Ward Clustering method was implemented to group the streams into three flow regimes (1) ephemeral, (2) intermittent, and (3) perennial. Principal component analysis (PCA) is also applied as the second multivariate analysis tool to identify dominant hydrological indices that cause the variability in the streams. The mean flow per unit catchment area (QmAR) and Base flow index (BFI) show an incremental trend with ephemeral, intermittent and perennial streams. Whereas the number of mean zero flow days ratio (ZFI) and coefficient of variation (CV) show a decreasing trend with ephemeral to perennial flow regimes. Finally, the streams in the three flow regimes were characterized with the mean and standard deviation of the hydrological variables and the shape, slope, and scale of the flow duration curve. Results of this study are the basis for further understanding of the ecohydrological processes of the river basins in Ethiopia.

A synoptic survey of ecosystem services from headwater catchments in the United States

Ecosystem production functions for water supply, climate regulation, and water purification were estimated for 568 headwater streams and their catchments. Results are reported for nine USA ecoregions. Headwater streams represented 74–80% of total catchment stream length. Water supply per unit catchment area was highest in the Northern Appalachian Mountains ecoregion and lowest in the Northern Plains. C, N, and P sequestered in trees were highest in Northern and Southern Appalachian and Western Mountain catchments, but C, N, and P sequestered in soils were highest in the Upper Midwest ecoregion. Catchment denitrification was highest in the Western Mountains. In-stream denitrification was highest in the Temperate Plains. Ecological production functions paired with published economic values for theses services revealed the importance of mountain catchments for water supply, climate regulation, and water purification per unit catchment area. The larger catchment sizes of the plains ecoregions resulted in their higher economic value compared to the other ecoregions. The combined potential economic value across headwater catchments was INT $14,000ha−1yr−1, or INT $30 millionyr−1 per catchment. The economic importance of headwater catchments is even greater considering that our study catchments statistically represent more than 2 million headwater catchments in the continental United States.

Eco-Hydrological Process Simulation Study in Jinjiang Basin, China

Eco-hydrological processes in the earth surface system reveal the ecological pattern of hydrological and ecological processes change mechanism, and reflect the development and evolution processes of the earth surface system. The ecological hydrological processes were simulated in the study using SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) model, which is developed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS). First, the space and attribute databases model required were constructed. Secondly, based on digital elevation model (DEM) the hydrological parameters were calculated, including determine the grid cell flow, calculate the unit catchment area, divided watershed boundaries, generate river nets, divide sub-basin. Based on the parameter sensitivity analysis, the eco-hydrological process simulation was completed through the model calibration and validation. Then the potential evapotranspiration, actual evapotranspiration, soil water, water yield and other eco-hydrological parameters were selected for analysis. The results show that trends of potential evapotranspiration and actual evapotranspiration in study region are consistent, and the values are almost the same. Monthly soil water is between 150mm and 200mm, and strict correspondence to precipitation. It is a certain correlation between soil water content and evapotranspiration. When soil water content is low, evapotranspiration is small, but there is about two months of the time lag. The characteristics of ecological and hydrological processes in study region show typical southeast coast in China.