The Formation of Aufeis and Its Impact on Infrastructure around Ulaanbaatar, North-Central Mongolia

In this study aufeis features and their formation under natural conditions and in an urban surrounding in north-central Mongolia were investigated. Used methods included field observations, Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) as well as analyses of satellite imagery and meteorological data. Aufeis formation is related to streams, springs, and ground conditions, particularly soil moisture; the formation of both spring aufeis and river aufeis follows a seasonal cycle. The meteorological data from 1969 to 2018 indicate that the mean annual air temperature (MAAT) increased by 2.6 °C, whilst no significant changes were observed for precipitation. Between 1992 and 2018, aufeis areas significantly decreased at all sites, which is likely caused by the air temperature increase. In urban environments, aufeis and its meltwater can damage infrastructure and lead to soil and water pollution. Therefore, urban planning strategies in northern Mongolian settlements should be concerned with aufeis occurrence

Management of Urban Stormwater at Block-Level (MUST-B): A New Approach for Potential Analysis of Decentralized Stormwater Management Systems

Cities worldwide are facing problems to mitigate the impact of urban stormwater runoff caused by the increasing occurrence of heavy rainfall events and urban re-densification. This study presents a new approach for estimating the potential of the Management of Urban STormwater at Block-level (MUST-B) by decentralized blue-green infrastructures here called low-impact developments (LIDs) for already existing urban environments. The MUST-B method was applied to a study area in the northern part of the City of Leipzig, Germany. The Study areas was divided into blocks smallest functional units and considering two different soil permeability and three different rainfall events, seven scenarios have been developed: current situation, surface infiltration, swale infiltration, trench infiltration, trough-trench infiltration, and three different combinations of extensive roof greening, trough-trench infiltration, and shaft infiltration. The LIDs have been simulated and their maximum retention/infiltration potential and the required area have been estimated together with a cost calculation. The results showed that even stormwater of a 100 year rainfall event can be fully retained and infiltrated within the blocks on a soil with low permeability (kf = 10−6 m/s). The cost and the required area for the LIDs differed depending on the scenario and responded to the soil permeability and rainfall events. It is shown that the MUST-B method allows a simple down- and up-scaling process for different urban settings and facilitates decision making for implementing decentralized blue-green-infrastructure that retain, store, and infiltrate stormwater at block level

Groundwater protection under water scarcity; from regional risk assessment to local wastewater treatment solutions in Jordan

The infiltration of untreated wastewater into aquifers highly endangers the availability of fresh-water for human consumption in semi-arid areas. This growing problem of potable water scarcity urgently requires solutions for groundwater protection. Decision support systems for local wastewater treatments in settlements already exist. However, the main challenge of implementing these for regional groundwater protection is to identify where wastewater treatments are most efficient for the whole region. In this paper, we addressed this scale-crossing problem with an interdisciplinary approach that combines regional risk assessment and assessment of local wastewater treatment scenarios. We analysed the impact of polluting the groundwater using vulnerability, hazard, and risk assessments. Thus, we identified the need for semi-arid and karst-related adjustments, defined more suitable standards for wastewater hazard values, and accounted for the groundwater dynamics beyond the vertical flow paths. Using a lateral groundwater flow model, we analysed the impact of the pollution sources and linked the regional and local scale successfully. Furthermore, we combined the geoscientific results with the urban water engineering methods of area and cost assessments for local wastewater scenarios. Based on the example of the Wadi al Arab aquifer in Jordan, we showed that implementing an adapted treatment solution in one of the heavily polluted suburban settlements could reduce 12% of the aquifer pollution, which affects 93% of the potential aquifer users. This novel method helps to identify settlements with significant pollution impact on the groundwater, as well as the users, and also gives specific guidelines to establish the most efficient locally tailored treatment solution

Body Composition Estimation in Youth Athletes: Agreement Between Two-Component Methods

Body composition techniques such as skinfold measurements, air displacement plethysmography, and underwater weighing are commonly performed in athletic populations, particularly in youth athletes who may not have access to other laboratory methods. However, little is known whether such body composition estimates can be directly compared across techniques. PURPOSE: To determine the agreement between common two-component (2C) body composition techniques. METHODS: 90 youth athletes (Males: 39; Females: 51; Age: 18.2 ± 2.4 years; Height: 172.0 ± 9.9 cm; Body Mass: 69.0 ± 12.5 kg; Underwater Weighing [UWW] Body Fat Percentage [%BF]: 20.2 ± 7.0%) participated in this study. 2C estimates of %BF were determined via UWW, air displacement plethysmography (ADP), and 7-site skinfold (SKF) using the applicable Jackson-Pollock equation. Body mass was measured via calibrated scale. Agreement between methods was quantified using Lin’s concordance correlation coefficients (CCC). Estimates of body fat percentage were also compared between techniques using paired samples t-tests (α \u3c 0.05) and equivalence testing, with the threshold of equivalence set at ± 2% body fat. RESULTS: Mean ± SD %BF estimates were 20.2 ± 7.0% (UWW), 18.7 ± 7.3% (ADP), and 16.1 ± 7.2% (SKF). Mean differences between methods were 1.6% [95% CI: 0.8, 2.3] for UWW vs. ADP, 4.1% [95% CI: 3.4, 4.8] for UWW vs. SKF, and 2.6% [95% CI: 1.9, 3.2] for ADP vs. SKF. Paired-samples t-tests revealed significant differences between %BF estimates for each comparison. Likewise, no methods were found to be equivalent, based on a ± 2% BF equivalence range. CCC values were 0.855 for UWW vs. ADP, 0.759 for UWW vs. SKF, and 0.844 for ADP vs. SKF. CONCLUSION: This study suggests limited agreement between 2C %BF estimates derived from three common assessment techniques. Hypothesis testing revealed significant differences between methods, and the magnitude of these differences resulted in non-equivalence at ± 2% BF. Based on these results, it appears that direct comparisons between 2C %BF estimates from these different techniques should be avoided if possible. Though the magnitude of the differences between techniques may be acceptable in certain contexts, coaches and clinicians should strive to utilize the same assessment methodology when examining and comparing body composition results across time

Assessment of Youth Athlete Body Composition using Bioimpedance Techniques as Compared to a Three-Compartment Model

Body composition is believed to contribute to success in many sports. For this reason, assessment of body composition with various devices is commonly performed. The agreement between devices warrants exploration, particularly in groups with limited data, such as youth athletes. PURPOSE: To determine the agreement between a 3-compartment model (3C) and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) devices for assessing body composition in youth athletes. METHODS: The body composition of 90 youth athletes was evaluated (51 F, 39 M; age: 18.2±2.4 y; body mass: 69.0±12.5 kg; height: 172.0±9.9 cm; BMI: 23.2±3.2 kg/m2, BF%: 19.7±6.9%). 3C values were produced using body volume from an underwater weighing system, body water from bioimpedance spectroscopy (ImpediMed SFB7), and body mass from a calibrated scale. Additionally, three BIA techniques were performed: a consumer-grade standing hand-to-foot analyzer (InBody H2ON; BIAINBODY), a consumer-grade standing foot-to-foot analyzer (Tanita BF-680W; BIATANITA), and a laboratory-grade supine hand-to-foot analyzer (RJL Quantum IV; BIARJL). Bioimpedance from BIARJL was inserted into the Matias FFM equation for athletes. BIA BF% and FFM values were compared to 3C values using paired t-tests, Pearson correlations, and the standard error of the estimate (SEE). RESULTS: 3C BF% estimates did not differ from BIAINBODY (-0.9%, 95% CI: -2.1, 0.2) or BIARJL (0.2%, 95% CI: -0.8, 1.2%). However, BF% was underestimated by BIATANITA relative to 3C (-2.7%, 95% CI: -4.1, -1.2). All BIA BF% estimates were significantly correlated with 3C (r: 0.59 to 0.73; R2: 0.35 to 0.53, pINBODY (0.8 kg, 95% CI: -0.1, 1.6) or BIARJL (0.1 kg, 95% CI: -0.6, 0.9). However, FFM was overestimated by BIATANITA relative to 3C (1.8 kg, 95% CI: 0.7, 2.8). All BIA FFM estimates were significantly correlated with 3C (r: 0.92 to 0.97; R2: 0.85 to 0.93, pCONCLUSION: This study demonstrated potentially acceptable agreement between 3C BF% and FFM estimates and those from BIAINBODY and BIARJL, with the athlete-specific equation used with BIARJL demonstrating the best performance. In contrast, the consumer-grade foot-to-foot analyzer underestimated BF% and overestimated FFM. These findings may help inform practical and accurate body composition estimation in youth athletes

Advanced Treatment and Imaging in Colonoscopy: The Pocket-Creation Method for Complete Resection and Linked Color Imaging for Better Detection of Early Neoplastic Lesions by Colonoscopy

Early detection and resection of neoplastic lesions are key objectives to diminish colorectal cancer mortality. Resection of superficial colorectal neoplasms, cold snare polypectomy, endoscopic mucosal resection, and endoscopic submucosal dissection have all been developed and used worldwide. The pocket-creation method facilitates the resection of tumors in difficult and routine locations. Early detection is the most important first step to maximize the benefits of recent advancements in endoscopic techniques. However, the detection of small, flat-shaped, or faded color lesions remains difficult. Linked color imaging, a novel multi-light technology, facilitates the recognition of minor differences in tissue by enhancing the color contrast between early colorectal neoplasms and surrounding normal mucosa in a bright field of view. The most striking feature of linked color imaging is its ability to display the color of early neoplastic lesions as distinct from inflammatory changes, both of which have similar “redness” when viewed using white light imaging. To increase the detection rate of neoplasms, linked color imaging should be used from the outset for endoscopic observation. Early detection of superficial colorectal tumors can result in decreased mortality from colorectal cancer and maintain a good quality of life for patients

Linked Color Imaging and Blue Laser Imaging for Upper Gastrointestinal Screening

White light imaging (WLI) may not reveal early upper gastrointestinal cancers. Linked color imaging (LCI) produces bright images in the distant view and is performed for the same screening indications as WLI. LCI and blue laser imaging (BLI) provide excellent visibility of gastric cancers in high color contrast with respect to the surrounding tissue. The characteristic purple and green color of metaplasias on LCI and BLI, respectively, serve to increase the contrast while visualizing gastric cancers regardless of a history of Helicobacter pylori eradication. LCI facilitates color-based recognition of early gastric cancers of all morphological types, including flat lesions or those in an H. pylori-negative normal background mucosa as well as the diagnosis of inflamed mucosae including erosions. LCI reveals changes in mucosal color before the appearance of morphological changes in various gastric lesions. BLI is superior to LCI in the detection of early esophageal cancers and abnormal findings of microstructure and microvasculature in close-up views of upper gastrointestinal cancers. Excellent images can also be obtained with transnasal endoscopy. Using a combination of these modalities allows one to obtain images useful for establishing a diagnosis. It is important to observe esophageal cancers (brown) using BLI and gastric cancers (orange) surrounded by intestinal metaplasia (purple) and duodenal cancers (orange) by LCI

Controlling equine influenza: traditional to next generation serological assays

Serological assays provide an indirect route for the recognition of infectious agents via the detection of antibodies against the infectious agent of interest within serum. Serological assays for equine influenza A virus can be applied for different purposes: diagnosing infections; subtyping isolates; surveillance of circulating strains; and to evaluate the efficacy of vaccines before they reach the market. Haemagglutination inhibition (HI) and single radial haemolysis (SRH) assays are most commonly used in the equine field. This review outlines how both these assays together with virus neutralization (VN) and ELISA are performed, interpreted and applied for the control of equine influenza, giving the limitations and advantages of each. The pseudotyped virus neutralization assay (PVNA) is also discussed as a promising prospect for the future of equine influenza virus serology