CHARACTERIZING LIQUEFACTION POTENTIAL OF PLEISTOCENE SOIL DEPOSITS IN THE CHARLESTON AREA, SOUTH CAROLINA

Liquefaction potential of major Pleistocene deposits in the Greater Charleston area, South Carolina is investigated in this dissertation. The data considered to characterize liquefaction potential include field performance information the 1886 Charleston earthquake and the results of many seismic cone penetration tests with pore water measurements (SCPTu). The investigation begins with the Mount Pleasant area, and then expands to the entire Greater Charleston area. A liquefaction potential map of Mount Pleasant is created through reviewing available first-hand accounts of ground behavior during the 1886 earthquake, analyzing cone penetration test and shear wave velocity data, and correlating the results with geology. Careful review of the first-hand accounts reveals that nearly all cases of surface effects of liquefaction can be associated with the younger sand deposits that lie adjacent to the harbor, rivers, and creeks. Only one documented case of minimal surface effect of liquefaction can be definitely associated with the older sand deposits of the 100,000-year-old Wando Formation. Ratios of measured to estimated shear wave velocity (MEVR) indicate that the younger sand deposits and the older sand deposits have measured velocities that are 9% and 38%, respectively, greater than 6-year-old sand deposits with the same cone tip resistances. Liquefaction potential is expressed in terms of the liquefaction potential index (LPI) proposed by Iwasaki and others. LPI values for the older sands computed from the SCPTu profiles are incorrectly high, if no age corrections are applied. If age corrections are applied, computed LPI values match well the observed field behavior in both the younger sands and the older sands. The results are combined with a 1:24,000 scale geologic map to produce a liquefaction potential map of Mount Pleasant. The findings of the Mount Pleasant study agree remarkably well with a previous liquefaction potential study of aged soil deposits on Charleston peninsula. Liquefaction potential of Pleistocene sand deposits in the Greater Charleston area is characterized by reviewing cases of conspicuous craterlets and horizontal ground displacement that occurred during the 1886 earthquake, and analyzing eighty-two seismic cone soundings. Nearly half of the cases of ground failure in sand deposits are associated with the 200,000-year-old Ten Mile Hill beds located within 13 km of the Woodstock fault, the likely source of the earthquake. One quarter of the cases of ground failure are associated with the 100,000-year-old Wando Formation located within 17 km of the fault; and another quarter are associated with the younger deposits that lie adjacent to the harbor, rivers, and creeks located within 31 km of the fault. The influence of distance to the fault on LPI and MEVR is investigated. Computed LPIs are corrected for the influence of diagenetic processes using MEVR. The liquefaction probability curves developed for four major sand groups agree well with the 1886 field observations. The influence of depth to top of the Cooper Marl and depth to the groundwater table on LPI values of the younger sand facies of Wando Formation (Qws) is also investigated. Liquefaction probability curves are developed considering the influence of depth to the groundwater table and depth to the non-liquefiable Cooper Marl. Liquefaction potential of areas now covered by artificial fill (af) in the Charleston area are characterized through reviewing cases of conspicuous craterlets and horizontal ground displacement that occurred during the 1886 earthquake, and analyzing twenty-three seismic cone soundings. All cases of 1886 ground failure that plot in af areas on Charleston Peninsula and around Mount Pleasant are located where Qhes or younger sand deposits are believed to be in the subsurface. SCPTu sites mapped in af are grouped into three categories based on dominant geology in the top 10 m. Liquefaction probability curves are developed for the three categories considering the influence of depth to the groundwater table and depth to the non-liquefiable Cooper Marl. The liquefaction potential of areas covered by surficial clayey deposits in the Greater Charleston area are characterized through reviewing liquefaction and ground failure cases that plot in these areas and analyzing thirty-two seismic cone soundings. Liquefaction probability curves developed for four major clay groups are compared with the liquefaction cases that plot in the surficial clayey deposits. The liquefaction probability curves developed for the surficial clayey deposits do not agree well with the high number of ground failures that occurred in these deposits during the 1886 earthquake. Conservative liquefaction probability curves are suggested for the surficial clayey deposits. Laboratory tests conducted on samples collected from various Pleistocene deposits indicate little or no carbonate in the beach sand deposits in the Greater Charleston area. Thus, the higher shear wave velocity and MEVR values associated with Qws are not the result of carbonate cementation. The probability curves can be used to develop geology-based liquefaction hazard maps of the Charleston area. Liquefaction hazard maps are useful tools for identifying areas with high likelihood of liquefaction-induced ground deformation, a major cause of damage in many earthquakes. Information about areas with high likelihood of ground deformation can be used for effective regional earthquake hazard planning and mitigation. Liquefaction hazard maps are also useful for identifying areas where specific investigations for liquefaction hazard are needed or should be required prior to project development, but in general these maps should not be used for site-specific engineering design

The significance of food safety in trade and banning the importation of GMO products into Iran

According to legislation in Iran, the importation of transgenic products should be banned due to the lack of strong evidence for the safety of genetically modified foods. Therefore, the detection of genetically modified on importing products should perform by food control laboratories. In this study, specific primers were designed for 35S promoter (500 bp), NOS terminator (253 bp), NPT (470 bp) and GUS (443 bp) for the detection of GMO in 134 imported samples by Polymerase chain reaction. The results showed the identification of GMO in food has become an important issue in food control, and Iranian Government has not adopted to import any GMO products into Iran. Therefore, this could indicate the significance of food safety and low confidence of people on the safety of these products in Iran. In fact, this protocol can be used for detection of GM products and for the labeling GM samples in order to ensure human health safety and protect the environment

Evaluation of clinical education status from the viewpoints of nursing students

Introduction: Researching the current status of clinical education guarantees development of nursing profession in future. The aim of this study is to assess clinical education status from the viewpoints of nursing students. Methods: In a descriptive cross-sectional study in Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences in 2008, 133 nursing students (in clerkship and internship course) were selected through convenience sampling. A researcher made questionnaire including 33 questions about strengths and weaknesses of clinical education was distributed among the samples. Data were analyzed by SPSS software through descriptive and analytical statistics. Results: The mean and standard deviation of scores for clinical education status were 3.49±.78 and 3.14±.6 according to clerkship and internship students, respectively. The most important strength point in clinical education was for “students awareness of clinical evaluation at the beginning of practical period” with mean score of 4.64(clerkships) and 4.27(internships); and the most important weakness point was for “ the ward not cooperating with the students” with mean score of 1.4 and “inappropriate coordination of theoretical learning with clinical practice”(mean score of 2.1). Conclusion: Clinical education quality was estimated to be moderate. Improving positive aspects and modifying the weaknesses is an effective step in promotion of clinical education. Also, one may suggest education authorities to make an appropriate clinical learning environment

A comparative study about the impact of sensory stimulation performed by family members and nurses on vital signs of patients at ICU: A randomized clinical trial

Some studies have shown the effects of sensory stimulation on vital signs of patients at intensive care unit (ICU). However, little knowledge is available about family role compared to the role of nursing staff in this issue and current results are controversial. The aim of this study is to compare the impact of sensory stimulation performed by family members and nurses on vital signs of patients at ICU. In this study, 9669 patients were categorized into two intervention groups and one control group by stratified block randomization method. Dyang sensory stimulation was provided by family members and nursing staff. No intervention was performed for control group. Sensory stimulation was performed 2 hours a day for 6 consecutive days. The vital signs were assessed 5 minutes before and 30 minutes after intervention. Data analysis was performed by ANCOVA, ANOVA and repeated measures. The results showed that there was significant difference between the experimental groups in terms of vital signs before and after the intervention (p<0.001). Of this aspect, family group was the best, nursing group was the second and control group was the last group in classification. The effect of sensory stimulation on vital signs of comatose patients was greater when provided by family members

Evanescent wave optical trapping and sensing on polymer optical fibers for ultra-trace detection of glucose

Graphene sensitization of glucose-imprinted polymer (G-IP)-coated optical fiber has been introduced as a new biosensor for evanescent wave trapping on the polymer optical fiber to detect low-level glucose. The developed sensor operates based on the evanescent wave modulation principle. Full characterization via atomic force microscopy (AFM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and N2 adsorption/desorption of as-prepared G-IP-coated optical fibers was experimentally tested. Accordingly, related operational parameters such as roughness and diameter were optimized. Incorporating graphene into the G-IP not only steadily promotes the electron transport between the fiber surface and as-proposed G-IP but also significantly enhances the sensitivity by acting as a carrier for immobilizing G-IP with specific imprinted cavities. The sensor demonstrates a fast response time (5 s) and high sensitivity, selectivity, and stability, which cause a wide linear range (10–100 nM) and a low limit of detection (LOD = 2.54 nM). Experimental results indicate that the developed sensor facilitates online monitoring and remote sensing of glucose in biological liquids and food samples

Significance of authenticity in meat and meat products in Iran

The Authenticity of meat products is very important for religious and health reasons in Iran. According to legislation in Iran, the consumption and importation of pork, horse, donkey and cat products should be banned. Therefore, the identification of meat products cannot be judged solely by its appearance. This issue led to the authenticity of bovine, sheep, pig, horse, donkey, chicken and soya (Glycine max) in raw and processed meat products.In this study, specific primers were designed for the identification of pig ( base pair), donkey (325 base pair), chicken (391 base pair), sheep (499 base pair), horse (607 base pair), soya (707 base pair) and bovine (853 base pair) by Polymerase chain reaction. Following PCR, expected,, , 499,, and base pair fragments were detectable in pig, donkey, chicken, sheep, horse, soya and bovine, respectively. This protocol can be used for identification of raw and processed meat products in various animal species for replication to regulatory obligations for meat species safety in Iran

Methodology of Isfahan Tobacco Use Prevention Program: First Phase

Background. Tobacco use continues to be the leading global cause of preventable death. The majority of smokers begin using tobacco products at teen ages. The aims of this study were providing a methodology of Isfahan Tobacco Use Prevention Program and investigating the prevalence of tobacco use and its related factors. Method. It was a cross-sectional study among guidance and high school students in Isfahan province. Initiation, social, psychological (depression and self-efficacy), family, and attitudinal and belief factors and school policy toward smoking (cigarettes and water-pipe) were investigated. Saliva qutinin was given from 5% of participants for determination of accuracy of responses. A self-administered anonymous questionnaire was used for gathering all data. Results. Of all 5500 questionnaires distributed, about 5408 completed questionnaires were returned (with response rate of 98.3%). Of all participants, 2702 (50.0%) were girls and 2706 (50.0%) were boys. Respectively, 4811 (89.0%) and 597 (11.0%) were from urban and rural. Of all participants, 2445 (45.2%) were guidance school and 2962 (54.8%) were high school students. Conclusion. This study will provide a unique opportunity to study prevalence of smoking cigarettes and water-pipe (ghelyan) among guidance and high school students in Isfahan province and determine the role of initiation, social, psychological, family, and attitudinal and belief factors and school policy toward smoking

Mapping development and health effects of cooking with solid fuels in low-income and middle-income countries, 2000-18 : a geospatial modelling study

Background More than 3 billion people do not have access to clean energy and primarily use solid fuels to cook. Use of solid fuels generates household air pollution, which was associated with more than 2 million deaths in 2019. Although local patterns in cooking vary systematically, subnational trends in use of solid fuels have yet to be comprehensively analysed. We estimated the prevalence of solid-fuel use with high spatial resolution to explore subnational inequalities, assess local progress, and assess the effects on health in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) without universal access to clean fuels.Methods We did a geospatial modelling study to map the prevalence of solid-fuel use for cooking at a 5 km x 5 km resolution in 98 LMICs based on 2.1 million household observations of the primary cooking fuel used from 663 population-based household surveys over the years 2000 to 2018. We use observed temporal patterns to forecast household air pollution in 2030 and to assess the probability of attaining the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target indicator for clean cooking. We aligned our estimates of household air pollution to geospatial estimates of ambient air pollution to establish the risk transition occurring in LMICs. Finally, we quantified the effect of residual primary solid-fuel use for cooking on child health by doing a counterfactual risk assessment to estimate the proportion of deaths from lower respiratory tract infections in children younger than 5 years that could be associated with household air pollution.Findings Although primary reliance on solid-fuel use for cooking has declined globally, it remains widespread. 593 million people live in districts where the prevalence of solid-fuel use for cooking exceeds 95%. 66% of people in LMICs live in districts that are not on track to meet the SDG target for universal access to clean energy by 2030. Household air pollution continues to be a major contributor to particulate exposure in LMICs, and rising ambient air pollution is undermining potential gains from reductions in the prevalence of solid-fuel use for cooking in many countries. We estimated that, in 2018, 205000 (95% uncertainty interval 147000-257000) children younger than 5 years died from lower respiratory tract infections that could be attributed to household air pollution.Interpretation Efforts to accelerate the adoption of clean cooking fuels need to be substantially increased and recalibrated to account for subnational inequalities, because there are substantial opportunities to improve air quality and avert child mortality associated with household air pollution. Copyright (C) 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.Peer reviewe

Global burden of chronic respiratory diseases and risk factors, 1990–2019: an update from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background: Updated data on chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) are vital in their prevention, control, and treatment in the path to achieving the third UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a one-third reduction in premature mortality from non-communicable diseases by 2030. We provided global, regional, and national estimates of the burden of CRDs and their attributable risks from 1990 to 2019. Methods: Using data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019, we estimated mortality, years lived with disability, years of life lost, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), prevalence, and incidence of CRDs, i.e. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, pneumoconiosis, interstitial lung disease and pulmonary sarcoidosis, and other CRDs, from 1990 to 2019 by sex, age, region, and Socio-demographic Index (SDI) in 204 countries and territories. Deaths and DALYs from CRDs attributable to each risk factor were estimated according to relative risks, risk exposure, and the theoretical minimum risk exposure level input. Findings: In 2019, CRDs were the third leading cause of death responsible for 4.0 million deaths (95% uncertainty interval 3.6–4.3) with a prevalence of 454.6 million cases (417.4–499.1) globally. While the total deaths and prevalence of CRDs have increased by 28.5% and 39.8%, the age-standardised rates have dropped by 41.7% and 16.9% from 1990 to 2019, respectively. COPD, with 212.3 million (200.4–225.1) prevalent cases, was the primary cause of deaths from CRDs, accounting for 3.3 million (2.9–3.6) deaths. With 262.4 million (224.1–309.5) prevalent cases, asthma had the highest prevalence among CRDs. The age-standardised rates of all burden measures of COPD, asthma, and pneumoconiosis have reduced globally from 1990 to 2019. Nevertheless, the age-standardised rates of incidence and prevalence of interstitial lung disease and pulmonary sarcoidosis have increased throughout this period. Low- and low-middle SDI countries had the highest age-standardised death and DALYs rates while the high SDI quintile had the highest prevalence rate of CRDs. The highest deaths and DALYs from CRDs were attributed to smoking globally, followed by air pollution and occupational risks. Non-optimal temperature and high body-mass index were additional risk factors for COPD and asthma, respectively. Interpretation: Albeit the age-standardised prevalence, death, and DALYs rates of CRDs have decreased, they still cause a substantial burden and deaths worldwide. The high death and DALYs rates in low and low-middle SDI countries highlights the urgent need for improved preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic measures. Global strategies for tobacco control, enhancing air quality, reducing occupational hazards, and fostering clean cooking fuels are crucial steps in reducing the burden of CRDs, especially in low- and lower-middle income countries

Measuring universal health coverage based on an index of effective coverage of health services in 204 countries and territories, 1990–2019 : A systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background Achieving universal health coverage (UHC) involves all people receiving the health services they need, of high quality, without experiencing financial hardship. Making progress towards UHC is a policy priority for both countries and global institutions, as highlighted by the agenda of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and WHO's Thirteenth General Programme of Work (GPW13). Measuring effective coverage at the health-system level is important for understanding whether health services are aligned with countries' health profiles and are of sufficient quality to produce health gains for populations of all ages. Methods Based on the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019, we assessed UHC effective coverage for 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2019. Drawing from a measurement framework developed through WHO's GPW13 consultation, we mapped 23 effective coverage indicators to a matrix representing health service types (eg, promotion, prevention, and treatment) and five population-age groups spanning from reproductive and newborn to older adults (≥65 years). Effective coverage indicators were based on intervention coverage or outcome-based measures such as mortality-to-incidence ratios to approximate access to quality care; outcome-based measures were transformed to values on a scale of 0–100 based on the 2·5th and 97·5th percentile of location-year values. We constructed the UHC effective coverage index by weighting each effective coverage indicator relative to its associated potential health gains, as measured by disability-adjusted life-years for each location-year and population-age group. For three tests of validity (content, known-groups, and convergent), UHC effective coverage index performance was generally better than that of other UHC service coverage indices from WHO (ie, the current metric for SDG indicator 3.8.1 on UHC service coverage), the World Bank, and GBD 2017. We quantified frontiers of UHC effective coverage performance on the basis of pooled health spending per capita, representing UHC effective coverage index levels achieved in 2019 relative to country-level government health spending, prepaid private expenditures, and development assistance for health. To assess current trajectories towards the GPW13 UHC billion target—1 billion more people benefiting from UHC by 2023—we estimated additional population equivalents with UHC effective coverage from 2018 to 2023. Findings Globally, performance on the UHC effective coverage index improved from 45·8 (95% uncertainty interval 44·2–47·5) in 1990 to 60·3 (58·7–61·9) in 2019, yet country-level UHC effective coverage in 2019 still spanned from 95 or higher in Japan and Iceland to lower than 25 in Somalia and the Central African Republic. Since 2010, sub-Saharan Africa showed accelerated gains on the UHC effective coverage index (at an average increase of 2·6% [1·9–3·3] per year up to 2019); by contrast, most other GBD super-regions had slowed rates of progress in 2010–2019 relative to 1990–2010. Many countries showed lagging performance on effective coverage indicators for non-communicable diseases relative to those for communicable diseases and maternal and child health, despite non-communicable diseases accounting for a greater proportion of potential health gains in 2019, suggesting that many health systems are not keeping pace with the rising non-communicable disease burden and associated population health needs. In 2019, the UHC effective coverage index was associated with pooled health spending per capita (r=0·79), although countries across the development spectrum had much lower UHC effective coverage than is potentially achievable relative to their health spending. Under maximum efficiency of translating health spending into UHC effective coverage performance, countries would need to reach $1398 pooled health spending per capita (US$ adjusted for purchasing power parity) in order to achieve 80 on the UHC effective coverage index. From 2018 to 2023, an estimated 388·9 million (358·6–421·3) more population equivalents would have UHC effective coverage, falling well short of the GPW13 target of 1 billion more people benefiting from UHC during this time. Current projections point to an estimated 3·1 billion (3·0–3·2) population equivalents still lacking UHC effective coverage in 2023, with nearly a third (968·1 million [903·5–1040·3]) residing in south Asia. Interpretation The present study demonstrates the utility of measuring effective coverage and its role in supporting improved health outcomes for all people—the ultimate goal of UHC and its achievement. Global ambitions to accelerate progress on UHC service coverage are increasingly unlikely unless concerted action on non-communicable diseases occurs and countries can better translate health spending into improved performance. Focusing on effective coverage and accounting for the world's evolving health needs lays the groundwork for better understanding how close—or how far—all populations are in benefiting from UHC