Study of Potential Integrated Management of Water Resources in Las Vegas Valley

Water resource management under short term system perturbations such as storms and longer-term systemic changes caused by climate change such as droughts is a challenge when multiple agencies are involved. To address this challenge this research focuses on water management under changing climate conditions and population growth through understanding the agency water jurisdictions, management strategies, and modes of operation in Las Vegas Valley. A framework for integrated management through sharing data and models is presented that combines drinking water supply, flood control, and waste water treatment. This framework can be adopted to improve coordination among different water management agencies

Assessment of Socio-Economic Vulnerabilities among Urban Migrants in South-East Delhi, India

The association between vulnerability and its indicators physical, social, economic and health among poor migrants was examined through primary field survey using structured questionnaire. Five regions namely Abul Fazal, Batla House, Noor Nagar, Okhla Vihar and Zakir Nagar were purposively selected since these areas have high concentration of poor urban migrants. For evaluation of Composite Vulnerability Indices in South-east Delhi, we followed relative approach used by UNDP for developing HDI on an inter-country basis.  To verify relationship between vulnerability and its variables, Karl Pearson's two tailed correlation was performed and it was found that there exists statistically significant positive and strong correlation among indicators of vulnerability. The results of our study showed Okhla Vihar and Zakir Nagar highly vulnerable and Abul Fazal, Batla House and Noor Nagar relatively less vulnerable. Hence all regions require priority for socio-economic development. CVI has proved significant tool for measuring relative vulnerability in the region

Relating surface backscatter response from TRMM precipitation radar to soil moisture: Results over a semi-arid region

The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) carries aboard the Precipitation Radar (TRMMPR) that measures the backscatter (σº) of the surface. σº is sensitive to surface soil moisture and vegetation conditions. Due to sparse vegetation in arid and semi-arid regions, TRMMPR σº primarily depends on the soil water content. In this study we relate TRMMPR σº measurements to soil water content (m(s)) in the Lower Colorado River Basin (LCRB). σº dependence on ms is studied for different vegetation greenness values determined through Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). A new model of σº that couples incidence angle, m(s), and NDVI is used to derive parameters and retrieve soil water content. The calibration and validation of this model are performed using simulated and measured ms data. Simulated m(s) is estimated using the Variable Infiltration Capacity (VIC) model and measured m(s) is acquired from ground measuring stations in Walnut Gulch Experimental Watershed (WGEW). σº model is calibrated using VIC and WGEW m(s) data during 1998 and the calibrated model is used to derive m(s) during later years. The temporal trends of derived ms are consistent with VIC and WGEW ms data with a correlation coefficient (R) of 0.89 and 0.74, respectively. Derived ms is also consistent with the measured precipitation data with R=0.76. The gridded VIC data is used to calibrate the model at each grid point in LCRB and spatial maps of the model parameters are prepared. The model parameters are spatially coherent with the general regional topography in LCRB. TRMMPR σº derived soil moisture maps during May (dry) and August (wet) 1999 are spatially similar to VIC estimates with correlation 0.67 and 0.76, respectively. This research provides new insights into Ku-band σº dependence on soil water content in the arid regions

Assessment of Spatio-Temporal Dynamics of Food Security Based on Food Security Index Analysis: A Case from Vaishali District, India

The paper has generated Food Security Index as a composite index of its three component indexes and analyzed spatio-temporal variation in food security at block level in Vaishali district of a backward state in India during 2000-03 and 2007-10. FSI identified not only the blocks requiring immediate attention but also the specific priority areas in which the efforts could be focused to attain long term sustainability of food security. The composite FSI using time series data could help in identifying the priority components and analyzing the progress of development interventions over a period of time aimed at sustainable food security

The scope and role of family medicine in health care system of Pakistan: perceptions of health care professionals

Objective: To assess and compare the discernments of medical students and healthcare professionals about family medicine as a distinct speciality, and effect of awareness session on their comprehension.  Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 4th year and final year under graduate students and professional doctors working in different hospital of twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. A lecture on “family medicine and its scope as a career” was arranged for the students of 4th year and final year students. Similarly, a workshop on “family medicine and its scope as a career” was arranged and professional doctors were invited. A predesigned self-administered questionnaire already used by a similar study, was given to all the students before and after the awareness session to students and doctors. Results: A total of 225 participants were included consisting on 170 undergraduate students and 55 professional doctors working in different hospitals of twin cities. There were 68 (40%) male participants in undergraduate and 30 (54.54%) male participants among professional doctors. The mean age of undergraduate students was 21.45+1.26 years and mean age of professional doctors was 32.65+3.35 years. Less than half 80 (47.06%) of the undergraduate students had knowledge about the family medicine as speciality but in professional doctors almost all 50 (90.91%) participants know family medicine as speciality. Almost all undergraduate students 145 (85.29%) and professional doctors 52 (94.54%) feel that family medicine can improve the health care in Pakistan. Conclusion: It is necessary to include the family medicine as part of curriculum for undergraduate medical students to develop interest in this newly emerging vital speciality, which can help in betterment of health care in this country

Impact of Vitamin D3 Supplementation on Overweight and Obese Individuals

Objective: To determine the effect of Vitamin D3 supplementation on overweight and obese individuals Methodology: This descriptive Cross Sectional Study was done. The participants in the study were selected from medical outpatient departments of three public sector hospital of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, from January to June 2018. All overweight of obese patients were  randomly divided into two equal groups of 88 participants in each group, by random number table method. Group A was an intervention group who were given vitamin D3 and Group B, was given placebo. Vitamin D3 (dose) supplementation was given for 12 weeks. Anthropometric parameters including BMI, waist circumference, and waist to hip ratio was recorded at the start of the study and was noted on a predesigned performa. After completion of treatment repeat serum Vit. D3 level and anthropometric measurements were done. Results: The mean age in vitamin D group was 38.46 ±7.28 years and in placebo group 37.85±8.25 years. There was insignificant (p-value > 0.05) difference in body weight (76.56±11.25 vs. 75.85±10.76) before and after intervention among participants of vitamin D group. The comparison of waist circumference (92.78±7.35 vs. 92.24±7.21) and hip circumference (107.74±7.45 vs. 106.45±7.12) showed no any significant (p-value > 0.05) change after the intervention. There was a minor change in BMI on baseline 29.65±3.26 and after three months of intervention 29.38±3.1 kg/m2 but this difference was not statistically significant (p-value > 0.05). Conclusion: The supplementation with vitamin D3 during 12 weeks did not improve the anthropometric parameters like body weight, waist and hip circumference and BMI. So the correction of serum vitamin D3 level does not help in decreasing the anthropometric parameters

Relationship between risk perception and employee investment behavior

nvestment behavior of an investor depends on his/her risk perception and risk attitude. This paper attempts to explore that how the perception of an investor who is also the employee of that organization differs from other investors. Does he/she perceives risk similarly as other common investors or his relationship with the organization as an employee has any impact his/her risk perception, attitude and investment behavior. This research study is conceptual in nature and mainly based on previous literature findings and evidences. Findings of this study suggested that employees risk perception is directly related with investment behavior and there is strong relationship between them. This can help the management to make special offers of shares to employees, this will further strength the bond of employees with the organization

Reduction in Average Length of Stay in Emergency Department of a Low-Income Country's Cancer Hospital.

Introduction: Prolonged length of stay (LOS) in emergency departments (ED) is a widespread problem in every hospital around the globe. Multiple factors cause it and can have a negative impact on the quality of care provided to the patients and the patient satisfaction rates. This project aimed to ensure that the average LOS of patients in a tertiary care cancer hospital stays below 3 hours. Materials and Methods: The Six Sigma DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) approach was followed. Results: The average LOS was 166 minutes before implementing interventions. The two primary reasons for the increased length of stay were delays secondary to physician assessment and diagnostic lab reports. Strategies were defined to control these factors, which helped reduce the average length of stay to 142 minutes, a 30% reduction. Conclusion: A process improvement model similar to this project is recommended to enhance the quality of hospital services. It will provide valuable insights into the process flow and assist in gathering precise data on the various steps involved. The data collected can then be analyzed to identify potential causes and make informed decisions that can significantly improve hospital processes

Evaluation of Drinking water quality parameters in the areas of East-Lahore Pakistan: A case study

Abstract This study aims to evaluate the quality of water being supplied for drinking purposes to the residents of East Lahore. For this purpose six sampling locations were selected which included four sampling points from urban areas and two from the rural areas. Samples from the urban areas were collected from the source of supply (tube well), its respective filter plant and three house connections. For the assessment of water quality of the rural areas, samples were taken from three house connections of each sampling point. All these samples were tested for physical (turbidity and pH), chemical (hardness, total dissolved solids, sulfates, chlorides) and biological parameters (total coliform and fecal coliform). The results were compared with National Standards for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ). The results demonstrated that bacteriological parameters provide almost satisfactory status. However, minor issue of hardness and turbidity were found. At consumer end, 65% of the samples were found, bacteriologically contaminated; hence compulsory chlorination is recommended. Currently in these areas, people are using bores having maximum depth of 150 feet which causes physiochemical contamination