A review of modelling methodologies for flood source area (FSA) identification

Flooding is an important global hazard that causes an average annual loss of over 40 billion USD and affects a population of over 250 million globally. The complex process of flooding depends on spatial and temporal factors such as weather patterns, topography, and geomorphology. In urban environments where the landscape is ever-changing, spatial factors such as ground cover, green spaces, and drainage systems have a significant impact. Understanding source areas that have a major impact on flooding is, therefore, crucial for strategic flood risk management (FRM). Although flood source area (FSA) identification is not a new concept, its application is only recently being applied in flood modelling research. Continuous improvements in the technology and methodology related to flood models have enabled this research to move beyond traditional methods, such that, in recent years, modelling projects have looked beyond affected areas and recognised the need to address flooding at its source, to study its influence on overall flood risk. These modelling approaches are emerging in the field of FRM and propose innovative methodologies for flood risk mitigation and design implementation; however, they are relatively under-examined. In this paper, we present a review of the modelling approaches currently used to identify FSAs, i.e. unit flood response (UFR) and adaptation-driven approaches (ADA). We highlight their potential for use in adaptive decision making and outline the key challenges for the adoption of such approaches in FRM practises

Conventional Versus Pegylated Interferons in Treatment of HCV Patients

Introduction: Based on data from recent trials, peginterferon and ribavirin combination therapy is the standard of care in treating patients with chronic HCV infection, but because of high costs, many patients may deprive from treatment. Methods: We conducted a clinical trial on HCV patients in Yazd in gastroenterology clinic. Thirty patients received conventional subcutaneous interferon alfa-2b (PDferon B®,PooyeshDarou, Tehran, Iran) at a dose of 3 million units three times per week plus oral ribavirin 1000 mg, and 30 patients received PEG IFN -2a (Pegasys: Roche company)180 mcg weekly plus ribavirin 1000 mg/day. Patients with genotype 1 were treated for 48 weeks and those with genotypes 2 and 3 were treated for 24 weeks. Ribavirin was used according to weight based regimen. Sustained virological response(SVR) was the primary objective outcome. Two groups were matched for age, sex and BMI. Results: Three females and fifty seven males participated in the study. SVR was 93.3% in peginterferon group and 90% in conventional interferon group regardless of genotype. Frequency of genotype 1a, 1b, and 3a was 51.7 %, 3.3%, and 36.7%, respectively and in 8.3% of cases genotype was undetermined. SVR in peginterferon group with genotype 1a, 1b, 3a and undetermined genotype was 94.4%, 100%, 87.55 and 100%, respectively. SVR in conventional group with genotype 1a, 1b, 3a and undetermined genotype was 92.3%, -, 85.7% and 100%, respectively. SVR was not significantly different between two groups (p= 1). There wasn't a significant difference between two groups regarding response to treatment or side effects. The treatment cost was 3.240.000 Rls and 36.000.000 Rls in conventional interferon and peginterferon groups, respectively. Conclusion: This study showed a continuous and acceptable response to treatment with conventional interferon and ribavirin

The prevalence of behavioral disorders and its related factors in elementary school children in ilam city in 2011-2012

Introduction: In every society, the health of children and adolescents is of particular importance and their mental health helps them to be healthy and physically healthy and play their social role better. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the prevalence of behavioral disorders and its related factors in elementary school children in Ilam city in the years 2011-2012. Materials and Method: This cross-sectional study was performed on all children aged 12-6 years old in primary and non-profit primary schools in Ilam, among which 400 children were selected by cluster sampling method. The DSM-IV questionnaire and other demographic information questionnaire were used for research. Data were then analyzed using SPSS-20. Results: In this study, 161 (53) of the samples were male and 143 (47) were female. Among the five disorders studied in this study, 27 (8.8) with disorder 1 (attention deficit / hyperactivity disorder type), 20 (6.5) with disorder 2 (hyperactivity disorder) / Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), 13 (4.2) with impaired number 3 (hypoactivity / attention deficit deficiency), 78 (25.6) were suffering from disorder 4 (coping disorder) and 3 (0.98) had impaired 5 (conduct disorder) Which had the highest disability score of 4 and the least was related to disorder number 5. Conclusion: Considering that the prevalence of coping disorder in this study was more than other types of disorders, Therefore, the necessity of screening in school age children, as well as causation by conducting further studies and providing educational and counseling services to children and parents, seems necessary. © 2018, Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology. All rights reserved

Study of Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization of Styrene and Its Gel Effect by Monte Carlo Simulation Method

Atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of styrene was carried out at 105°C and a Monte Carlo simulation was employed to model the system. The variations of monomer conversion, the initiator concentration, average molecular weight, and molecular weight distribution were evaluated as the reaction proceeded. According to the results obtained, for similar reaction time, monomer conversion is higher when gel effect is taken into account. Also, the concentration of initiator suddenly drops at the initial stages of polymerization, and finally reaches zero. In addition, in the presence of gel effect, bimolecular termination rate constant decreases during the polymerization. Moreover, number- and weight-average molecular weights linearly rise as the polymerization progresses; this also is a confirmation to the living nature of the polymerization. Finally, the molecular weight distribution of polymers synthesized narrows at high monomer conversion. In effect, polydispersity index decreases from about 2 (at the onset of polymerization) to around 1.3 (towards the end of polymerization)

The Relationship between Hospital Occupational Stress and Prevalence of Depression in Nurses Working in Ilam Hospitals

Introduction: Long-term stress can also lead to mental disorders such as anxiety, depression and physical burnout. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between hospital occupational stress and prevalence of depression among nurses working in Ilam hospitals. Methods: This is a descriptive-analytic study. The statistical population includes the staff of Imam Khomeini Hospital and martyr Mostafa Khomeini Hospital in Ilam. The study was conducted using a census method. The criteria for entering the individuals were their willingness to participate in this study. The subjects were included in the study with complete satisfaction. Demographic questionnaires, standard questionnaires for occupational stress (HSI), and Beck Depression Inventory were used. Questionnaires were distributed to pre-trained individuals. The data was extracted and analyzed by SPSS software. Results: The findings of this study showed that 31.8 of the samples had a degree of depression. In this study, the rate of depression in men is higher than that of women. According to the results, occupational stress and environmental stress in nursing women were more than men. There is a significant relationship between job stress and stress associated with life with depression (p = 0.001, p = 0.004, respectively). Conclusion: The results of this study always emphasize the point that attention should be paid to stress and stressful occupation of nursing and to think about it and to take preventive measures. Because of the stress of the valve towards all mental illnesses In the event of manpower and the work of a community, it can cause many problems and costs for the individual and society and reduce the quality of the services provided by the nurses

Clinical trials of disease-modifying agents in pediatric MS: Opportunities, challenges, and recommendations from the IPMSSG.

OBJECTIVE: The impetus for this consensus discussion was to recommend clinical trial designs that can deliver high-quality data for effective therapies for pediatric patients, in a reasonable timeframe, with a key focus on short- and long-term safety. METHODS: The International Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis Study Group convened a meeting of experts to review the advances in the understanding of pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (MS) and the advent of clinical trials for this population. RESULTS: In the last few years, convincing evidence has emerged that the biological processes involved in MS are largely shared across the age span. As such, treatments proven efficacious for the care of adults with MS have a biological rationale for use in pediatric MS given the relapsing-remitting course at onset and high relapse frequency. There are also ethical considerations on conducting clinical trials in this age group including the use of placebo owing to highly active disease. It is imperative to reconsider study design and implementation based on what information is needed. Are studies needed for efficacy or should safety be the primary goal? Further, there have been major recruitment challenges in recently completed and ongoing pediatric MS trials. Phase 3 trials for every newly approved therapy for adult MS in the pediatric MS population are simply not feasible. CONCLUSIONS: A primary goal is to ensure high-quality evidence-based treatment for children and adolescents with MS, which will improve our understanding of the safety of these agents and remove regulatory or insurance-based limitations in access to treatment