An Empirical Assessment of Environmental Variable Combinations for Use in Fire Weather Forecasts

Predicting high fire danger conditions is paramount to mitigating the impacts caused by wildfires. Such warning systems as red flag warnings (RFWs) and the National Fire Danger Rating System (NFDRS) utilize atmospheric and fuel moisture properties to warn public and government entities about conditions that may lead to the ignition or rapid growth of wildfires. In this study, we use high-resolution reanalysis and wildfire growth data from 2003-2020 in California to test a variety of different variables to determine if a more viable variable combination exists that could be used to create a better warning index which would allow for a better estimate of high fire danger conditions. This is assessed by ranking combinations based on how well they organize daily fire acreage growth values within the heatmaps. It is found that turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) 50 meters above ground level presents a strong case to be used as a fire danger predictor. Sounding profiles are also created to ascertain a clearer picture of the vertical profiles typically seen on dangerous fire weather days, with the highest average daily acreage growth values seen with each combination exhibiting a dry and warm-to-hot environment. Line plots detailing daily average acreage growth rate changes indicate compounding effects of multiple variables being in extreme states at the same time as well as limiting behavior where a single variable being in a non-fire conducive state can shut-off the influence of another variable. We also find that relative humidity and sustained wind speed is the third-ranked variable combination, empirically confirming a previous mostly heuristic result

CT colonography with minimal bowel preparation: evaluation of tagging quality, patient acceptance and diagnostic accuracy in two iodine-based preparation schemes

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare a 1-day with a 2-day iodine bowel preparation for CT colonography in a positive faecal occult blood test (FOBT) screening population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred consecutive patients underwent CT colonography and colonoscopy with segmental unblinding. The first 50 patients (group 1) ingested 7 50 ml iodinated contrast starting 2 days before CT colonography. The latter 50 patients (group 2) ingested 4 50 ml iodinated contrast starting 1 day before CT colonography. Per colonic segment measurements of residual stool attenuation and homogeneity were performed, and a subjective evaluation of tagging quality (grade 1-5) was done. Independently, two reviewers performed polyp and carcinoma detection. RESULTS: The tagging density was 638 and 618 HU (p = 0.458) and homogeneity 91 and 86 HU for groups 1 and 2, respectively (p = 0.145). The tagging quality was graded 5 (excellent) in 90% of all segments in group 1 and 91% in group 2 (p = 0.749). Mean per-polyp sensitivity for lesions >or=10 mm was 86% in group 1 and 97% in group 2 (p = 0.355). Patient burden from diarrhoea significantly decreased for patients in group 2. CONCLUSIONS: One-day preparation with meglumine ioxithalamate results in an improved patient acceptability compared with 2-day preparation and has a comparable, excellent image quality and good diagnostic performanc

Re‐evaluation of celluloses E 460(i), E 460(ii), E 461, E 462, E 463, E 464, E 465, E 466, E 468 and E 469 as food additives

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient sources added to Food (ANS) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the re-evaluation of microcrystalline cellulose (E 460(i)), powdered cellulose (E 460(ii)), methyl cellulose (E 461), ethyl cellulose (E 462), hydroxypropyl cellulose (E 463), hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (E 464), ethyl methyl cellulose (E 465), sodium carboxy methyl cellulose (E 466) and enzymatically hydrolysed carboxy methyl cellulose (E 469) as food additives. The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) and the Scientific Committee on Food (SCF) established an acceptable daily intake (ADI) ‘not specified’ for unmodified and modified celluloses. Celluloses are not absorbed and are excreted intact in the faeces; in addition, microcrystalline cellulose, powdered and modified celluloses could be fermented by the intestinal flora in animals and humans. Specific toxicity data were not always available for all the celluloses evaluated in the present opinion and for all endpoints. Given their structural, physicochemical and biological similarities, the Panel considered it possible to read-across between all the celluloses. The acute toxicity of celluloses was low and there was no genotoxic concern. Short-term and subchronic dietary toxicity studies performed with E 460(i), E 461, E 462, E 463, E 464, E 466 and E 469 at levels up to 10% did not indicate specific treatment related adverse effects. In chronic toxicity studies performed with E 460(i), E 461, E 463, E 464, E 465 and E 466, the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) values reported ranged up to 9,000 mg/kg body weight (bw) per day. No carcinogenic properties were detected for microcrystalline cellulose and modified celluloses. Adverse effects on reproductive performance or developmental effects were not observed with celluloses at doses greater than 1,000 mg/kg bw by gavage (often the highest dose tested). The combined exposure to celluloses (E 460–466, E 468 and E 469) at 95th percentile of the refined (brand-loyal) exposure assessment for the general population was up to 506 mg/kg bw per day. The Panel concluded that there was no need for a numerical ADI and that there would be no safety concern at the reported uses and use levels for the unmodified and modified celluloses (E 460(i); E 460(ii); E 461–466; E 468 and E 469). The Panel considered an indicative total exposure of around 660–900 mg/kg bw per day for microcrystalline, powdered and modified celluloses

In vitro influence of dietary protein and fructooligosaccharides on metabolism of canine fecal microbiota

BACKGROUND: The present in vitro study investigated whether the utilization of fructooligosaccharides (FOS) may influence canine fecal microbial population in presence of diets differing in their protein content and digestibility. Fresh fecal samples were collected from five adult dogs, pooled, and incubated for 24 h with the undigested residue of three diets: 1, Low protein high digestibility diet (LP HD, crude protein (CP) 229 g/kg); 2, High protein high digestibility diet (HP HD, CP 304 g/kg); 3, High protein low digestibility diet (HP LD, CP 303 g/kg) that had been previously subjected to enzymatic digestion. In the in vitro fermentation study, there were six treatments: 1) LP HD; 2) HP HD 3) HP LD; 4) LP HD + FOS; 5) HP HD + FOS; 6) HP LD + FOS. Fructooligosaccharides were added at the final concentration of 1.5 g/L. Samples of fermentation fluid were collected at 6 and 24 h of incubation. RESULTS: Values of pH were reduced by FOS at 6 and 24 h (P < 0.001); conversely, low protein digestibility and high dietary protein level resulted in higher pH at both sampling times (P < 0.001). At 24 h, FOS lowered ammonia (−10 %; P < 0.001) and resulted (P < 0.05) in higher concentrations of total volatile fatty acids (VFA) (+43 %), acetic acid (+14 %), propionic acid (+75 %) and n-butyric acid (+372 %). Conversely, at 24 h, low protein digestibility resulted (P < 0.01) in lower concentrations of acetic acid (−26 %), propionic acid (−37 %) and total VFA (−21 %). Putrescine concentrations were increased at 6 and 24 h of fermentation by low protein digestibility (+21 and 22 %, respectively; P < 0.05) and FOS (+18 and 24 %, respectively; P < 0.01). After 24 h of fermentation, high dietary protein level resulted in lower counts of lactobacilli and enterococci (−0.5 and −0.7 log cells/mL, respectively; P < 0.05) whereas low protein digestibility tended to increase counts of C. perfringens (+0.2 log cells/mL; P = 0.07). CONCLUSIONS: Results from the present study showed that diets rich in protein may exert negative influences on the canine intestinal ecosystem, slightly increasing the presence of ammonia and reducing counts of lactobacilli and enterococci. Moreover, the presence of poorly digestible protein resulted in lower concentrations of VFA. Conversely, administration of FOS may improve metabolism of canine intestinal microbiota, reducing ammonia concentrations and enhancing VFA production

Relationships Among Maternal Role Competence, Parenting Education, Work Status, and Personal Characteristics

Nurses have the unique opportunity to work with families across the lifespan. A frequently encountered group Is women with Infants. Mothers with infants experience many changes that Influence their maternal role. Maternal competence Is a woman\u27s perceived ability to skillfully and successfully promote her Infant\u27s development and well being and her comfort In doing so. Maternal competence Is a behavioral component of the process of maternal role attainment, which forms the maternal identity. The literature cites several factors related to maternal competence, such as parity, social support. Infant characteristics, and more. The purpose of this Investigation was to examine relationships among maternal role competence, employment status, parenting Information sources used to learn about parenting, and personal characteristics. A descriptive correlational approach was used. Data analysis included 139 mothers of healthy, singleton Infants less than 13 months old. The mothers represented a rural area in a Midwestern state. The average age of respondents was 28 years, and 86 % of the women were married. Respondents were white, and over 40 % had college educations or beyond, with less than 3% having less than a high school education. The average age of the infants was 5.7 months. The women had an average of 2.2 children. The majority of women perceived their income as more than enough to make ends meet. Data collection took place in private and public health clinics and community parenting groups. Results indicated an overall high level of maternal competence using the Parenting Sense of Competence (Revised) scale. One demographic variable, perceived adequacy of income to meet family needs, was positively correlated with maternal competence for the entire sample. Non-employed mothers in the sample were more likely to be married, have a higher level of education, and have more children than employed mothers. Employed mothers were more likely to report their incomes as more than able to meet their families\u27 needs than were non-employed women. Maternal competence levels did not differ statistically between employed and non-employed women. However, perceived adequacy of income was significantly related to perceived maternal competence among non-employed women. For employed women, infant age was negatively correlated with perceived maternal competence. Subjects reported an average of 11.4 of a possible 20 sources of parenting education and information as helpful in learning to be a good parent. Sources of education were separated into two categories: (a) formal ~ those based on education or empirical findings, and (b) informal ~ those based on experience or tradition. The subjects indicated their mothers and physicians as the most helpful sources of parenting information. Other frequently cited responses were spouse / baby\u27s father, friends, magazines, books, prenatal classes, and Early Childhood Family Education classes. High use of Informal sources of parenting education was related to low perceived maternal competence. This study emphasizes the developmental process of maternal competence and the vast array of potentially influential factors. Nursing care of mothers with infants must include assessment of perceived parenting skills and comfort with the maternal role, or maternal competence. Nursing interventions directed at strengthening women\u27s maternal competence are vital in supporting the health and well being of women and their families