Investigating the influence of surrounding soil properties on leakage discharge from cracks in polyethylene pipes

This is the final version. Available on open access from Elsevier via the DOI in this recordData availability: Data will be made available on request.Numerous factors affect the amount of leakage from pipes, e.g. inside pressure, type of pipe failure, soil around the pipe, etc. Few researches have been done on the effect of environment around the pipe on the leakage discharge. In the present study, the leakage from pipes in presence of different soils is experimentally investigated. Leakage from a cracked polyethylene pipe was simulated in the presence of various soils with different properties in a laboratory setup. Leakage- pressure relationships were obtained according to fixed and variable area discharge theory. By quantifying the soil characteristics, the relationship between leakage- pressure coefficients (m and Cd) and soil parameters was obtained. It was concluded that the soil environment affects the amount of leakage discharge. Results show that the particle diameter at 50% passing (D50), dry unit weight ( ) and hydraulic permeability coefficient (k) are more appropriate to represent the characteristics of soils. It was also concluded that there are no strong correlation between leakage and some soil parameters. The obtained relationships between different soil parameters and leakage discharge coefficients are also presented

Cognitive behaviour therapy versus counselling intervention for anxiety in young people with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders: a pilot randomised controlled trial

The use of cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) as a treatment for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been explored in a number of trials. Whilst CBT appears superior to no treatment or treatment as usual, few studies have assessed CBT against a control group receiving an alternative therapy. Our randomised controlled trial compared use of CBT against person-centred counselling for anxiety in 36 young people with ASD, ages 12–18. Outcome measures included parent- teacher- and self-reports of anxiety and social disability. Whilst each therapy produced improvements inparticipants, neither therapy was superior to the other to a significant degree on any measure. This is consistent with findings for adults

The clinical overlap between functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome based on Rome III criteria

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Epidemiological studies suggest considerable overlap between functional dyspepsia (FD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). To date, no surveys have been performed to investigate the clinical overlap between these two disorders using Rome III criteria. Our aim was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors for the overlap of FD and IBS based on Rome III criteria in a large clinical sample.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Consecutive patients at the general gastroenterology outpatient clinic were requested to complete a self-report questionnaire. FD and IBS were defined by Rome III criteria.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Questionnaires were returned by 3014 patients (52.8% female, 89% response rate). FD-IBS overlap was observed in 5.0% of the patients, while 15.2% and 10.9% of the patients were classified as FD alone and IBS alone, respectively. Compared with non-IBS patients, the odds ratio of having FD among IBS patients was 2.09 (95% CI: 1.68–2.59). Patients with FD-IBS overlap had higher severity scores for the postprandial fullness symptom (2.35 ± 1.49 vs. 1.72 ± 1.59, P < 0.001) and overall FD symptom (6.65 ± 2.88 vs. 5.82 ± 2.76, P = 0.002) than those with FD alone. The only independent risk factor for FD-IBS overlap vs. FD alone was the presence of postprandial fullness symptom (OR 2.67, 95% CI: 1.34–5.31).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Clinical overlap of FD and IBS according to Rome III criteria is very common. One risk factor for FD-IBS overlap is the presence of postprandial fullness symptom. This study provides clues for future pathophysiological studies of FD and IBS.</p

Predictive values of semen parameters for fertility

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:DXN019387 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

The prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections and the effect of medical treatment in children 2-5 years old

Intestinal parasitic infections are found all over the world. With all the progresses made in the last decades which have resulted in reduction of infection and mortality, yet parasitic infections are one of the biggest public health problems in the developing countries. In this research children 2-5 years old of Saveh city were randomly chosen. Intestinal parasitic infections and the effect of medical treatment on the infected cases were assessed. In order to treat the infected cases. Iranian generic drugs were used in which for Giardia infection Metronidazole 87.5% and furazolidone (66.7%) were proved effective. Metronidazole in treatment of Entamoeba histolytica infection (88.2%) and Metronidazole+Paramomycin proved 100% effective. In treatment of children infected with Oxyuris, the two drugs, Metronidazole and Pyrvinium Pamoate were almost 100% effective. Metronidazole in Ascaris infection was about 88.9% effective. Niclosamide in treatment of Hymenolepis nana (100%) and in Tenia saginata were 75% effective. Reinfection after three months in treated children was about 20.9% which was the most prevalent intestinal parasitic infection related to Oxyuris. The successfully treated group had higher average body weight compared to the control group

Compaction and strength testing of industrial waste blends as potential port reclamation fill

This paper reports on preliminary laboratory geotechnical investigations conducted to explore the compaction and unconfined compression strength (qu) behaviour of granular waste mixtures of coal wash (CW) and steel furnace slag (SFS). Compaction was conducted under relatively dry and submerged conditions. Proctor compaction test results show that the higher the SFS content, the greater the maximum dry density of mixtures, while the optimum moisture content (OMC) is rather constant. However, for mixtures compacted at their OMC, qu decreases with increasing SFS content. In contrast, for mixtures compacted under submergence and cured in seawater for up to 28 days, qu increases with both the SFS content and curing time. The preliminary findings suggest that CW-SFS mixtures have good potential as fill for port reclamation. However, two different mixtures, in terms of SFS content, should be used for dry and submerged fills