Numerical investigation of the spatial distribution of Escherichia coli in river deltas for different values of river discharge, temperature and irradiation of the water surface

Escherichia coli and other enteric pathogens presence indicate that the water has been contaminated with fecal matter. River deltas are population hotspots which are becoming increasingly urbanized and where poor sanitation has been frequently identified as a pressing issue. In this study, we have investigated the spatial distribution of E. coli in river deltas under varying river discharge, temperature and irradiation at the water surface. A hydrodynamic and water quality model has been used to reproduce an idealized river delta configuration and to investigate the spatial distribution of E. coli across the delta floodplain and channels. The concentration of E. coli rapidly declines downstream, following a tripartite trend with different decline rates on the delta front, pro-delta and shelf area. The highest differences in the spatial distribution of E. coli bacteria occur for low-river discharge values. Temperature and irradiation both influence the concentration of E. coli and mostly influence downstream areas and smaller channels

Response of <i>Lantana camara</i> L. subsp. <i>camarato</i> paclobutrazol and shading

The effects of several shading materials on the response of Lantana camara L. subsp. camara to paclobutrazol were investigated in 1997 and 1998 under greenhouse conditions inAttica (37°48’20”N, 23°57’48”E), Greece. Treatments were shading (0%, 28% and 65%) and paclobutrazol (0, 20, 40, 80 and 160 mg L–1) drenches after pinching of the plants. As paclobutrazol concentration increased, plant growth, expressed by the growth index (GI), decreased, at all shading levels. At the same time, the number of flowers per plant increased to a maximum as paclobutrazol concentration increased to 80 mg L–1. Concentrations above this resulted in a decrease in the number of flowers per plant, at all shading levels. The interaction between shading level and paclobutrazol concentration significantly affected the studied parameters. The growth index increased while the number of flowers per plant decreased as shading increased from 0% to 65%, at all concentration levels examined. Plants treated with paclobutrazol had greener leaves. At higher concentrations, some leaf distortion was noted. The most attractive plants (small with maximum flowering) were obtained with 80 mg L–1 paclobutrazol at 0% shading. Key words: Lantana camara, paclobutrazol, light intensity </jats:p

Skills of primary healthcare physicians in paediatric cardiac auscultation

Aim To evaluate the performance of primary healthcare physicians in paediatric cardiac auscultation and the impact of a multimedia-based teaching intervention. Methods A total of 106 primary healthcare physicians (77 paediatricians, 14 general practitioners and 15 medical graduates) attended four paediatric cardiac auscultation teaching courses based on virtual patients&apos; presentation (digital phonocardiography). Their auscultatory performance was documented at the beginning of each course and at the end of two of the courses. Results Participants initially detected 73% of abnormal murmurs and 17% of additional sounds, while 22% of innocent murmurs were interpreted as abnormal. Overall cardiac auscultation performance, assessed by a combined auscultation score, was low and independent of training level (graduates: 39.5/trainees: 42.8/board certified: 42.6, p = 0.89) or specialty (paediatricians: 42.7/general practitioners: 43.1, p = 0.89). Multimedia-based teaching was associated with a significant improvement in abnormal murmur (92.5%) and additional sound (40%) detection (p &lt; 0.001), while 25% of innocent murmurs were still interpreted as abnormal (p = 0.127). Conclusion Clinical skills of primary healthcare physicians in paediatric cardiac auscultation, independent of training level or specialty, still leave potential for improvement. Multimedia-based teaching interventions represent an effective means of improving paediatric cardiac auscultatory skills. © 2012 Foundation Acta Pædiatrica