Unpredictable spillovers among water uses? An analysis of agricultural, industrial, and household uses of water in the Balkans

In times of water shortage, it becomes increasingly relevant for policymakers to understand the existing relationships between different types of water use, so as to encourage efficient water management. This article makes use of yearly data on agricultural, industrial, and household water use in the Balkan countries of Bulgaria, Romania, and Serbia. It does so to identify the potential interactions among these three categories of water use. Using a deterministic model based on differential equations, we provide an analysis of the interactions among these different sectors of water use for the period between 2008 and 2017. Results show that interactions among these different categories do not remain constant over periods of time, either across or within the countries analysed. We find that, for most countries, industrial and household water uses are more likely to be characterised by mutualism and competition, instead of a predator-prey relationship. Agricultural water use, on the other hand, takes on the role of predator against the other two

Unpredictable spillovers among water uses?: An analysis of agricultural, industrial, and household uses of water in the Balkans

In times of water shortage, it becomes increasingly relevant for policymakers to understand the existing relationships between different types of water use, so as to encourage efficient water management. This article makes use of yearly data on agricultural, industrial, and household water use in the Balkan countries of Bulgaria, Romania, and Serbia. It does so to identify the potential interactions among these three categories of water use. Using a deterministic model based on differential equations, we provide an analysis of the interactions among these different sectors of water use for the period between 2008 and 2017. Results show that interactions among these different categories do not remain constant over periods of time, either across or within the countries analysed. We find that, for most countries, industrial and household water uses are more likely to be characterised by mutualism and competition, instead of a predator-prey relationship. Agricultural water use, on the other hand, takes on the role of predator against the other two

Estimation of the Degree of Saturation of Shallow Soils from Satellite Observations to Model Soil Slips Occurred in Emilia Romagna Region of Northern Italy

For the development of alert systems for soil slip occurrence, it is important to evaluate the degree of satura-tion of shallow soils (Sr) over wide areas. Taking into account the possibility to estimate spatial and temporal variation of soil moisture using remote sensing techniques, a possible correlation between Sr and the daily output of a sequential data assimilation system called ACHAB (Assimilation Code for HeAt and moisture Balance) has been studied. ACHAB is based on integrated use of remotely sensed land surface temperature (LST) and common data on meteorological forcing such as air temperature, wind-speed and incident solar radiation. The aim of this study is to understand if it is possible to use ACHAB output (a daily value of evaporative fraction for the whole Italian territory) to define the parameter Sr that could be introduced in a simplified model for the description of soil slip triggering mechanisms on territorial scale

Photochromic point-diffraction inteferometer

We demonstrate a versatile and fully adaptable point diffraction interferometer (PDI) for optical testing which is based on a thin photochromic film. Pinholes are optically written in the photochromic layer, and sizes are easily customized to test optics with a wide range of focal ratios. The transparency of the layer can be tuned to optimize the contrast between the pinhole and the surrounding area and maximize the fringe visibility. Accuracy and repeatability of the photochromic PDI are determined;moreover the results are compared with those obtained with a standard Fizeau interferometer

Association between echocardiographic indexes and urinary Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin (uNGAL) in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease

Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is a biomarker of tubular damage, and its elevation has been described in human and canine cardiorenal syndrome. The aim was to evaluate the association between echocardiographic indexes and urine NGAL (uNGAL) and uNGAL normalized to urine creatinine (uNGALC) in dogs with MMVD. This is a multicentric prospective cross-sectional study. A total of 77 dogs with MMVD at different ACVIM stages were included. All dogs underwent echocardiography, serum chemistry, and urinalysis. Echocardiographic data analyzed were shortening fraction (SF), left ventricular diastolic (LVIDDn) and systolic (LVIDSn) diameters normalized for body weight, left atrium to aortic root ratio (LA/Ao), maximal (LAVMax) and minimal (LAVMin) left atrial volumes, LA stroke volume (LASV), early diastolic mitral peak velocity (EVmax), EVmax to tissue Doppler E' wave (E/E'), aortic (VTIAo) and mitralic (VTIMit) velocity time integrals and their ratio (VTIMit/VTIAo), and tricuspid regurgitation velocity (TRVmax). In the univariate analysis LASV, TRVmax, LAVMax, LVIDDn, and VTIMit/VTIAo were independent predictors of increased uNGAL and uNGALC; however, only LASV [(OR: 1.96, 95% CI: 1.16 to 3.31) P = 0.01 for NGAL, and (OR: 2.79, 95% CI: 1.50 to 5.17) P < 0.001 for NGALC] and TRVmax [(OR: 1.73, 95% CI: 1.20–2.51) P = 0.002 for NGAL, and (OR: 1.50, 95% CI: 10.07–2.10) P = 0.015 for NGALC] remained statistically significant in the multivariable analysis. Based on our results, LASV and TRVmax are associated with increased uNGAL and uNGALC. These parameters might detect dogs with MMVD at higher risk of developing kidney damage

Evaluation of urinary neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin to detect renal tubular damage in dogs with stable myxomatous mitral valve disease

Background Dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) can experience progressive renal tubular damage and dysfunction. The prevalence of renal tubular damage is not known in dogs with stable MMVD. Objective To evaluate renal tubular damage in dogs with stable MMVD by evaluation of urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL). Animals Ninety-eight MMVD dogs grouped according to the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) staging (group B1, n = 23; group B2, n = 27; group C + D, n = 48) and 46 healthy dogs. Methods Multicenter prospective observational study. Serum and urine chemistry including NGAL reported as uNGAL concentration (uNGAL) and normalized with urinary creatinine (uNGALC) were compared between MMVD dogs and healthy controls, and among different MMVD ACVIM stages. Results The MMVD dogs had significantly higher uNGAL and uNGALC (1204 pg/mL; range, 30-39 732 and 1816 pg/mg; range, 22-127 693, respectively) compared to healthy dogs (584 pg/mL; range, 56-4072 and 231 pg/mg; range, 15-2407, respectively; P = .002 and P < .0001, respectively). Both uNGAL and uNGALC increased with the increasing ACVIM stage (P = .001 and P < .001, respectively). Conclusions and Clinical Importance Renal tubular damage is present in dogs with stable MMVD, as measured by increased uNGAL. This tubular damage is subclinical, occurs in all stages of MMVD even in the absence of azotemia, and increases with the severity of MMVD. Reno-protective approaches to manage MMVD dogs should be explored to slow the progression of renal tubular damage in these patients

New Insight into the Fatigue Resistance of Photochromic 1,2-Diarylethenes

Photochromic diarylethenes represent one of the most important classes of molecular switches, and their fatigue resistance is reported in several papers. Previous studies have demonstrated that the presence of perfluorocyclopentene and methyl in the 4-positions of dithienylethenes improve the switching resistance. However, general guidelines to correlate chemical structure to fatigue resistance have not been found yet. In this work, we provide a different thought in the description of the fatigue resistance of diarylethenes, which is related to the light absorbed by the two isomeric states during photoconversion. For two series of 1,2-diarylethenes, which differ from the aromatic rings without bearing any electroactive substituent, it turns out that the fatigue resistance depends on the dose of light absorbed by the colored form rather than on the specific molecular structure, namely, the presence of specific molecular building blocks

Impact of residual pulmonary obstruction on the long-term outcome of patients with pulmonary embolism

The impact of residual pulmonary obstruction on the outcome of patients with pulmonary embolism is uncertain.We recruited 647 consecutive symptomatic patients with a first episode of pulmonary embolism, with or without concomitant deep venous thrombosis. They received conventional anticoagulation, were assessed for residual pulmonary obstruction through perfusion lung scanning after 6 months and then were followed up for up to 3 years. Recurrent venous thromboembolism and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension were assessed according to widely accepted criteria.Residual pulmonary obstruction was detected in 324 patients (50.1%, 95% CI 46.2-54.0%). Patients with residual pulmonary obstruction were more likely to be older and to have an unprovoked episode. After a 3-year follow-up, recurrent venous thromboembolism and/or chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension developed in 34 out of the 324 patients (10.5%) with residual pulmonary obstruction and in 15 out of the 323 patients (4.6%) without residual pulmonary obstruction, leading to an adjusted hazard ratio of 2.26 (95% CI 1.23-4.16).Residual pulmonary obstruction, as detected with perfusion lung scanning at 6 months after a first episode of pulmonary embolism, is an independent predictor of recurrent venous thromboembolism and/or chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension

The management of acute venous thromboembolism in clinical practice - study rationale and protocol of the European PREFER in VTE Registry

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a major health problem, with over one million events every year in Europe. However, there is a paucity of data on the current management in real life, including factors influencing treatment pathways, patient satisfaction, quality of life (QoL), and utilization of health care resources and the corresponding costs. The PREFER in VTE registry has been designed to address this and to understand medical care and needs as well as potential gaps for improvement. Methods/design: The PREFER in VTE registry was a prospective, observational, multicenter study conducted in seven European countries including Austria, France Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, and the UK to assess the characteristics and the management of patients with VTE, the use of health care resources, and to provide data to estimate the costs for 12 months treatment following a first-time and/or recurrent VTE diagnosed in hospitals or specialized or primary care centers. In addition, existing anticoagulant treatment patterns, patient pathways, clinical outcomes, treatment satisfaction, and health related QoL were documented. The centers were chosen to reflect the care environment in which patients with VTE are managed in each of the participating countries. Patients were eligible to be enrolled into the registry if they were at least 18 years old, had a symptomatic, objectively confirmed first time or recurrent acute VTE defined as either distal or proximal deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism or both. After the baseline visit at the time of the acute VTE event, further follow-up documentations occurred at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. Follow-up data was collected by either routinely scheduled visits or by telephone calls. Results: Overall, 381 centers participated, which enrolled 3,545 patients during an observational period of 1 year. Conclusion: The PREFER in VTE registry will provide valuable insights into the characteristics of patients with VTE and their acute and mid-term management, as well as into drug utilization and the use of health care resources in acute first-time and/or recurrent VTE across Europe in clinical practice. Trial registration: Registered in DRKS register, ID number: DRKS0000479