Optimal locations of groundwater extractions in coastal aquifers

A regional water supply management model for coastal aquifers was developed. One of its outcomes is the definition of the optimized locations for groundwater withdrawal. Such a tool permits the analysis of alternative plans for groundwater extraction and the sustainable use of water resources in a coastal aquifer subject to saltwater intrusion. The principal components are the evolutionary optimization and the analytical/numerical simulation models. The optimization technique looks for the best well locations taking into consideration the economic results and the satisfaction of the societal water demand. However these two concerns are conditioned by trying to control the saltwater intrusion, i.e., preserving the environmental equilibrium. The simulation model uses the governing mathematical equations for groundwater movement to find the interface between freshwater and saltwater. Because of the non-linearity in the system and the possibility of a jumping interface, a security distance was defined. This is a controlling variable which can be set by the decision makers. The model was applied to a typical case with interesting results. For example, diagrams showing the relationship between the location of the wells and the security distance(s) are of importance to the managers. It was also crucial to have an understanding of the tradeoffs between groundwater withdrawals, positions of the wells from the coast line, and the security distance. The model was also applied to a real case in order to relate the extractions, distances and artificial recharge (not presented in this paper).Civil Engineering Research Centre of the University of Minho.Science and Technology Foundation -POCTI/ECM/2512/9

Study of the distribution of Malassezia species in patients with pityriasis versicolor and healthy individuals in Tehran, Iran

BACKGROUND: Pityriasis versicolor is a superficial infection of the stratum corneum which caused by a group of yeasts formerly named pityrosporium. The taxonomy of these lipophilic yeasts has recently been modified and includes seven species referred as Malassezia. The aim of this study is to compare the distribution of Malassezia species isolated from pityriasis versicolor lesions and those isolated from healthy skins. METHODS: Differentiation of all malassezia species performed using morphological features and physiological test including catalase reaction, Tween assimilation test and splitting of esculin. RESULTS: In pityriasis versicolor lesions, the most frequently isolated species was M. globosa (53.3%), followed by M. furfur (25.3%), M. sympodialis(9.3%), M. obtusa (8.1%) and M. slooffiae (4.0%). The most frequently isolated species in the skin of healthy individuals were M. globosa, M. sympodialis, M. furfur, M. sloofiae and M. restricta which respectively made up 41.7%, 25.0%, 23.3%, 6.7% and 3.3% of the isolated species. CONCLUSIONS: According to our data, M. globosa was the most prevalent species in the skin of healthy individuals which recovered only in the yeast form. However, the Mycelial form of M. globosa was isolated as the dominant species from pityriasis versicolor lesions. Therefore, the role of predisposing factors in the conversion of this yeast to mycelium and its subsequent involvement in pityriasis versicolor pathogenicity should be considered

Vaginal clear cell adenocarcinoma with early pulmonary metastasis in a child

Although a few cases of vaginal clear cell adenocarcinoma (CCAC) have been reported in the ages under 14, they have presented in a much more aggressive form than the CCAC cases in higher ages and parenchymal pulmonary metastasis are known to occur following the primary tumor. This is a case report of a primary vaginal CCAC in an 8.6-year-old girl with no history of DES exposure who presented with vaginal bleeding and abdominal pain and the imaging signs of pulmonary metastasis at the presentation. Diagnostic imaging modalities should be considered for any child complaining of vaginal bleeding, due to limitation of vaginal examination. Chest X-ray is recommended at the time of diagnosis of CCAC and at follow-up sessions for early diagnosis of pulmonary metastasis. Copyright © Informa Healthcare USA, Inc

The Comparison Of Anthropometric and Physiologic Characteristics Between Isfahan juniors Football Players

Abstract This research has been performed on 34 volunteer male basketball players aged 12-14 age groups from junior male basketball team of Ankara University and Ulaútırma Sports Club. The subjects have been randomly divided into the experimental and control groups . Before training program resting heart rate , systolic-diastolic blood pressure, aerobic-anaerobic capacity have been evaluated for both groups, besides some measurements have been also performed on some parameters by using Eurofit test battery. The same measurements have been performed again after the 8 weeks combined training program for the experimental group and the effect of combined trainings on these parameters has been tried to determine. In this 8 weeks period, the subjects in the control group have not been put to an extra training program, they have carried on their daily sports life. SPSS 8.0 statistical package program has been used for the statistical analysis and arithmetic average, standart deviation, standart error and range of the values have been determined. The differences between groups have been examined by t-test in the significance level 0.01 and 0.05. In consequence of this research, it has been observed that while the values of body height (% 0,61 ; p <.001), leg power (% 17,21 ; p <.001), pull-up motion (% 32,06 ; p < .001), standing long jump (% 6,85 ; p < .001) and aerobic capacity (% 8,65 ; p < .001) have showed an increase, the values of resting heart rates (% 7,71; p < .005), 10 x 5 m. (% 13,15 ; p < . 001) and left hand reaction time to light (% 7,31; p < .0005) have showed a decrease after the first and the last measurements of combined training program for the experimental group. It has not been observed any changes in the control group. As a result, it has been determined that the combined trainings performed on experimental group have been more efficient than technical trainings