Evacuation planning with flood inundation as inputs

Recent flooding events happening in our city demonstrate frequency and severity of floods in the UK, highlighting the need to plan and prepare, and efficiently defend. Different from the numerous evacuation model and optimization algorithms, this paper aims to address flood evacuation planning with flood inundation as inputs. A dynamic flooding model and prediction to estimate the development of both surface water and flooding from rivers and watercourses has been fed into evacuation planning at various levels. A three-step approach is proposed. The first step is to identify assembly point designation. The second step is to find the candidate shortest path from each assembly point to all safe areas for all evacuees with consideration of possible inundation. The last step is to determine the optimal safe area for evacuees in the inundation area. The work presented in this paper has emphasized timing issue in evacuation planning. A case study is given to illustrate the use of the approach

In Situ Synthesis of Hybrid Aerogels from Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes and Polyaniline Nanoribbons as Free-Standing, Flexible Energy Storage Electrodes

Hybrid aerogels consisting of interpenetrating single-walled carbon nanotubes and polyaniline (SWCNT/PANI) nanoribbons were prepared as free-standing, flexible lithium ion battery (LIB) electrodes. Assisted by camphorsulfonic acid, the anilinium cations formed complexation with micelles of dodecylbenzene sulfonate anions within the wet SWCNT network. Very thin PANI nanoribbons (thickness of 10–100 nm, width of 50–1000 nm, and length of 10–20 μm) were formed within the network after polymerization of aniline. By varying the concentration of aniline, we were able to fine-tune the morphologies of final PANI nanostructures, including nanoribbons, porous nanofibers, and nanoparticles. Specifically, SWCNT/PANI nanoribbon aerogels showed high capacity (185 mAh/g) and good cycle performance (up to 200 times), which could be attributed to synergistic effects of efficient ion/electron transport within the 3D carbon nanotubes network, shortened ion diffusion distance and optimized strain relaxation from nanoribbons and nanotubes, and effective penetration of electrolyte within interconnected nanopores in the network

Image2_Epimedium brevicornum Maxim. Extract exhibits pigmentation by melanin biosynthesis and melanosome biogenesis/transfer.TIF

Epimedium brevicornum Maxim. (Epimedii Folium) is a traditional medicine widely utilized in China for sexual dysfunction and osteoporosis treatment. Recently, studies have reported that Epimedium flavonoid icariin displayed hair growth and melanogenic ability by targeting tyrosinase activity. Nevertheless, icariin hydrolysate icariside II and icaritin cause depigmentation due to their tyrosinase inhibition. These pigment functional discrepancies from Epimedium constituents arouse our great interest. Then, this study focused on the pigmentation effects of Epimedii Folium extract (EFE) on melanin synthesis and melanosome biogenesis/transfer, and further identified the bioactive constituents. First, in in vitro systemic studies, we discovered that the potent melanogenic and repigmented effects of EFE were dependent on concentration and amount of time in multi-melanocytes, normal human skin tissue, and vitiligo perilesional areas. In vivo, EFE exhibited repigmented effect on two kinds of depigmented models of N-phenylthiourea-induced zebrafish and hydroquinone-induced mice. Mechanistically, EFE strongly promoted tyrosinase activity and upregulated the protein expression of tyrosinase families which finally contribute to melanin biosynthesis by activating the MAPK/ERK1/2 signal pathway. In addition, EFE effectively increased melanosome number, accelerated melanosome maturity and cytoplasmic transport through the growth/extension of melanocyte dendrites, and induced melanosome transfer from melanocyte to keratinocyte for pigmentation. The six main flavonoid ingredients were identified among EFE. Compared to others, epimedin B (EB) was confirmed as a high-content, low-toxicity, and effective melanogenic compound in EFE. Taking all these together, this study systematically demonstrates the potential pigmentation effect of Epimedium brevicornum Maxim., and clarifies its related molecular mechanisms and melanogenesis basis. These results give additional insight into Epimedium herb pharmacology and may provide a novel therapy basis for hypopigmentation disorders.</p

Summary of preoperative clinical features and radiological evaluation.

<p>No., number, OPLL, ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament; OR, occupying rate, HIZ, high intensity zone;</p>#<p>P<0.05 when was compared with 1-level group;</p><p>*P<0.01 when was compared with 1- or 2-level groups.</p

Clinical and radiological results at the last follow-up.

<p>JOA, Japanese Orthopedic Association; OPLL, ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament; SVA, sagittal vertical axis;</p>#<p>P<0.01 when was compared with preoperative variables;</p><p>*P<0.05 when was compared with 1- or 2-level groups.</p

Correlations of postoperative JOA score and various factors.

<p>JOA, Japanese Orthopedic Association; OPLL, ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament; OR, occupying rate, HIZ, high intensity zone.</p

Results of multiple regression analysis of included factors to predict surgical outcome.

<p>JOA, Japanese Orthopedic Association; OPLL, ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament; OR, occupying rate, HIZ, high intensity zone.</p

Separating OPLL from the dural mater using a specific microdissector.

<p>(A). A picture of specific microdissector. (B). Intraoperative picture.</p

Clinical features, complications and surgical results of other 96 patients who did not complete the last follow-up in this study.

<p>No., number, OPLL, ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament; OR, occupying rate, HIZ, high intensity zone; CSF, cerebrospinal fluid; JOA, Japanese Orthopedic Association.</p

A 53-year-old men with a C4–C7 mixed-type OPLL associated with DO was treated by anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion.

<p>(A). Preoperative radiographic image at neutral position. (B, C). Preoperative sagittal and axial CT scans demonstrating a C4–C7 mixed-type OPLL with double-layer sign. (D). Preoperative MR image showed severe compression of the spinal cord. (E). Postoperative radiographic image showing C4–C6 corpectomy and fusion. (F, G). Postoperative sagittal and axial CT demonstrating complete resection of OPLL and floating of DO. (H). Postoperative MR image showed sufficient decompression of the spinal cord.</p