A hybrid model-based method for leak detection in large scale water distribution networks

During the past decades, the problem of finding leaks in Water Distribution Networks (WDN) has been controversy. The quicker detection of leaks prevents water loss and helps avoiding their economic and environmental consequences. On the other hand, increasing the speed of leak detection increases the false leak detection that imposes high costs. In this paper, we propose a real-time hybrid method using AI algorithms and hydraulic relations for detecting and locating leaks and identifying the volume of losses material. The proposed method relies on simple and cost-effective flow sensors installed on each junction in the pipeline network. We demonstrate how influential features for leak detection would be generated by using hydraulic equations like Hazen-Williams, Darcy-Weisbach and pressure drop. Through exploiting Decision Tree, KNN, random forest, and Bayesian network we build predictive models and based on the pipeline topology, we locate leaks and their pressure. Comparing the results of applying the proposed method on various leak scenarios shows that the proposed method in this paper, outperforms other existing methods

Polycystic ovary syndrome and its impact on Iranian women’s quality of life: a population-based study

Abstract Background Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a major public health concern worldwide affecting up to one in five women at reproductive age. It is associated with biochemical and hormonal disturbances as well as adverse cosmetic, reproductive, metabolic, and psychological consequences, resulting in worsened quality of life. The aim of the present study is evaluating the quality of life and determining its degrading factors among Iranian women suffering from this syndrome. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 PCOS women in Hamadan, Iran. In order to measure quality of life we used the Persian version of Health-related Quality of Life Questionnaire for PCOS (PCOSQ). Descriptive statistics was used to explore the data. In addition linear regression analysis was performed to assess factors affecting health-related quality of life in this population. Results The mean score for quality of life domains (from the greatest to the least serious concern) were: infertility (3.43 ± 1.63), emotions (3.55 ± 1.17), menstrual problems (3.77 ± 1.36), body hair (3.80 ± 2.05) and weight (4.32 ± 1.80), respectively. The higher score represents better function. However, multivariate analysis revealed that hirsutism had the strongest impact on the patients’ quality of life (p < 0.001) followed by infertility (p = 0.038) and menstrual irregularity (p = 0.003). Conclusion The findings showed that impairment of quality of life was associated with PCOS related conditions such as hirsutism, infertility and menstrual problems

The Prevalence of Hyperlipidemia Among Older People, Bushehr Elderly Health (BEH) Program

Background: Life expectancy continues to increase and Iran&rsquo;s older population grows dramatically. Old age is the strongest risk factor for developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Hence, effective lipid management can reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Materials and Methods: Between March 2013 and October 2014, a total of 3000 men and women aged &ge; 60 years, residing in Bushehr, Iran who participated in Bushehr Elderly Health (BEH) program were evaluated for dyslipidemia. Serum lipid levels in fasting state were measured using Selectra 2 auto analyzer. The cut-offs of cardiovascular risks were derived from the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) guidelines in the United States (Adult Treatment Panel [ATP] III). Results: The prevalence rates for hypercholesterolemia (&ge; 200 mg/dl), high LDL-cholesterol (&ge; 130 mg/dl), low HDL-cholesterol (<40 mg/dl) and hypertriglyceridemia (&ge; 150 mg/dl) were 48.0%, 42.4%, 29.6%, 35.5%, respectively. The prevalence of dyslipidemia was 87.8% in women and 80.2% in men. The prevalence rate of dyslipidemia was decreased in men with increasing age (p=0.003), however no change was observed in women. A total of 835 subjects (27.8%) used hypolipidemic drugs. The statins were the most common used hypolipidemic drugs. There were significant association between dyslipidemia and traditional cardiovascular risk factors such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and obesity (p<0.0001). Conclusion: Dyslipidemia is a prevalent abnormality among Bushehr&lsquo;s older population. Therefore, interventional measures for lipid management are suggested for this population