Modeling Groundwater Surface by MODFLOW Math Code and Geostatistical Method

Simulation of groundwater flow by mathematical model can be used for developing aquifer balance element analysis scenarios, explaining conditions of droughts, definition of prohibitive extraction policies and analyzing the qualitative models. In this study, the development of a quantitative model in terms of the main parameters affecting on the water surface changes has been performed for the Ardebil plain (located in NW of Iran). Accordingly, a comprehensive processing of raw data sets has been carried-out by means of MODFLOW mathematical model. Also to simulate the groundwater surface changes in the mentioned plain, the geo-statistical method has been used. Results indicate that the mathematical model used in the aquifer balance simulation for the Ardebil plain has approximately 2% relative normal root-mean-square error (NRMSE). This small NRSMSE confirms the model accuracy for the Ardebil plain using the calibration data. Moreover, comparing the results of this method and the ones obtained by mathematical model performed by examining some error criteria like RMSE, Mean, ASE and MS, it is found that the accuracy of the mathematical model is higher than the geostatistical method and the main reason for this is the distribution of uncertainty in a few available piezometric points in the geostatistical method

18-01 Sustainable and Smart-growth City Ranking: Multifaceted Transportation Performance Measures in Smart Cities

The concept of smart city is fast becoming a key instrument in transforming living environments in a way better to enhance operational efficiency of a transportation system. This study identifies a framework to assess transportation performance measures and smart-growth of cities around the U.S. The proposed assessment framework is comprised of the evaluation of individual criterion and the assessment of comprehensive results. The criteria are categorized into four groups including network performance, traffic safety, environmental impact, and physical activity. This study provides a multifaceted approach to integrate the criteria’s performance measures. As a case example, the proposed performance measures were examined for forty-six cities in the U.S. and the required data were gathered from multiple sources. A multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) method was employed to integrate and evaluate the score associated with each city. The output of the framework contains a sustainable and smart-growth ranking of the selected cities as well as uncertainty and sensitivity analysis. The sensitivity analysis was utilized to determine the quantity that each performance measure or weighting factor requires to alter the smart-growth score. It has been illustrated that the dominancy between reversible pairs in the ranking are critically sensitive for almost 15% of cases. The results of the proposed framework can be an effective decision supporting tool in analyzing traffic management strategies. Results from the score sensitivity calculation indicate that the proposed framework can be adopted in multifaceted transportation system performance in sustainable and smart-growth of cities

Central Toxic Keratopathy after Surface Laser Refractive Surgery: a Case Series and Brief Review

Purpose: To describe clinical presentation, management, and outcomes of central toxic keratopathy developing after surface laser refractive surgeries. Patients and Methods: In this retrospective case series, the records of 10 eyes of 5 patients (1 male, 4 female) were reviewed. The laser refractive surgery consisted of photorefractive surgery (PRK; 2eyes) and laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy (LASEK; 8 eyes). Mitomycin C, 0.02 % was applied intraoperatively in all eyes. Results: The mean patient age was 30 ± 14.5 years, (22 to 56 years). Presenting symptom was decreased vision without pain or photophobia in all cases that began 3 to 9 days postoperatively. The slit-lamp examination revealed corneal opacities and corneal thinning in the central area of the cornea corresponding to the ablated zone. There were no corneal epithelial defects or corneal stromal infiltration. Upon presentation, the mean best-corrected distance visual acuity was 20/25 (LogMAR 0.83 ± 0.34). The opacification persisted for a minimum of two months to a maximum of 6 months before clearing. The patients were followed up for 12 months. Five eyes had a decrease of 1 to 2 lines in preoperative best-corrected distance visual acuity 6 months postoperatively. All eyes had hyperopic shift and astigmatism during the follow-up period. The mean spherical equivalent at final follow up was + 0.75 ± 1.15 D. Conclusion:  Central toxic keratopathy is a non-inflammatory central corneal opacification which is associated with significant hyperopic shift and stromal tissue loss. Visual prognosis is usually good but a decrease in best-corrected distance visual acuity may persist in some cases.Keywords: Central Toxic Keratopathy; Refractive surgical procedures; Revie

17-05 Effects of Safe Bicycle Passing Laws on Drivers\u27 Behavior and Bicyclists\u27 Safety

This report identifies the effect of passing distance laws on drivers’ behaviors and bicyclist’s safety during an overtaking maneuver. Using an instrumented bicycle and driver survey, the study measured bicycle passing in a naturalistic field experiment using video recording, an ultrasonic distance measuring device, and a LiDAR. In order to evaluate the effect of passing distance laws, the study examined jurisdictions with a three-foot passing law, with a five-foot passing law, and without a passing law. The experiment required a bicyclist to ride the instrumented bicycle in two-lane and three-lane roads to capture the distance between the bicycle and the overtaking motor vehicle. Moreover, a new analysis algorithm is presented to assess the speed and distance transformation of the vehicles approaching and entering the passing zone of the bicycle in micro level transportation systems. The results demonstrated that drivers’ overtaking distances were significantly greater in locations with the five-foot passing law than in other areas. The study also found that roads with paved shoulders, wider travel lanes, and a greater number of lanes were associated with greater passing distances. In contrast, we found that passing distance was shorter on roads with shared lane markings (i.e., sharrows) or higher truck composition. By comparing the surveys conducted in locations with different passing laws, the study illustrates that drivers usually overestimate the distance that they pass bicyclists. These results can be useful to transportation engineers, policymakers, and legislators who intend to provide efficient designs of road infrastructure to better accommodate bicycles

The effect of synbiotic supplementation on body composition and lipid profile in patients with NAFLD: A randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial study

Background: Regarding the growing prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, concentrating on various strategies for its prevention and management seems necessary. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the effects of synbiotic administration on body composition and lipid profile in patients with NAFLD. Methods: Eighty patients with NAFLD participated in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial (from March to July 2014) in Iran. Based on AST and ALT as main variables of the study, 34 patients were required in each group (power 80% and α = 5%). Considering a 20% sample loss, 80 patients were enrolled. Synbiotic supplement in form of a 500 mg capsule (containing 7 species of probiotic bacteria and Fructooligosaccharides) was administrated to patients in the intervention group and those in the placebo group received 1 placebo capsule daily for 8 weeks. At the baseline and the end of the study, body composition and lipid profile were evaluated. Results: A significant reduction was observed in weight (P = 0.001), body fat (P = 0.02), and total cholesterol (P = 0.04) within the synbiotic group. Onthe other hand,WC(P = 0.02), total cholesterol, and LDL-c (P = 0.04 and P = 0.001, respectively) were significantly increased in the placebo group. TG, HDL-c, and FBG levels remained statistically unchanged in both groups. Significance betweengroup differences were seen in total cholesterol (P = 0.01), LDL (P = 0.01), weight, WC, and body fat after adjustment for energy intake (P = 0.05). Conclusions: Synbiotic supplementation may improve lipid profile and body composition in patients with NAFLD and might be useful in prevention of the disease progression

Aspheric versus Spherical Posterior Chamber Intraocular Lenses

Purpose: To compare spherical aberration and contrast sensitivity function following implantation of four different foldable posterior chamber intraocular lenses (IOLs), namely Sensar, Akreos AO, Tecnis, and AcrySof IQ. Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, 68 eyes of 68 patients with senile cataracts underwent phacoemulsification and IOL implantation with Sensar (n=17), Akreos AO (n=17), Tecnis (n=17), or AcrySof IQ (n=17). Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) and best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), spherical aberration and contrast sensitivity function (CSF) were compared among the study groups, 3 months after surgery. Results: There was no significant difference between the study groups in terms of age (P = 0.21). Mean postoperative BSCVA with Sensar, Akreos AO, Tecnis, and AcrySof IQ was 0.15±0.10, 0.12±0.9, 0.08±0.08, and 0.08±0.07 logMAR, respectively (P=0.08). Spherical aberration measured over a 4 mm pupil was significantly higher with Sensar and Akreos AO than the two other IOLs. The difference between Tecnis and AcrySof IQ was significantly in favor of the former IOL. Over a 6 mm pupil, spherical aberrations were comparable with Sensar and Akreos AO, furthermore spherical aberration was also comparable among eyes implanted with Akreos AO, AcrySof IQ, and Tecnis. Sensar yielded significantly inferior results as compared to Acrysof IQ and Tecnis. CSF with Sensar was inferior to the three aspheric IOLs at the majority of spatial frequencies. Tecnis yielded significantly better mesopic CSF at 1.5 and 3 cycles per degree spatial frequencies. Conclusion: Tecnis and AcrySof IQ provided significantly better visual function as compared to Sensar and Akreos AO, especially with smaller pupil size. However, this difference diminished with increasing pupil size

Dietary sodium and potassium intake and their association with blood pressure in a non-hypertensive Iranian adult population: Isfahan salt study

Aim: The association of sodium (Na) and potassium (K) intake with blood pressure (BP) is an ongoing debate, especially in central Iran. We aimed to examine the mean Na and K intake, major sources of Na and the relationship between BP and dietary and urinary Na and K. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed in central Iran in 2013-2014. A total of 796 non-hypertensive adults aged >18years were randomly recruited. The semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire was used to assess dietary Na and K intake. Moreover, 24-hour urine samples were collected to measure 24-hour urinary Na (UNa) and K (UK) as biomarkers. BP was measured twice on each arm using a standard protocol. Results: The mean Na and K intake were 4309.6±1344.4 and 2732.7±1050.5mg/day, respectively. Table and cooking salt were the main sources of Na. Odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval (CI)) of the crude model in the highest quartile of UNa indicated a significant association with the higher risk of prehypertension (OR (95% CI): 2.09 (1.09-4.05); P for trend=0.007). After adjustment for potential confounders, prehypertension was significantly associated with increasing dietary Na/K ratio (OR (95% CI): 1.28 (1.01-1.57); P for trend=0.046) and UNa/UK ratio (OR (95% CI): 2.15(1.08-4.55); P for trend=0.029). Conclusions: Increasing dietary and urinary Na/K ratios and UNa were associated with elevated BP and prehypertension occurrence. These findings support the necessity of developing a salt reduction programme in our country. © 2016 Dietitians Association of Australia

The Relation between Serum Level of Vitamin D and Dry Eye Disease

Purpose: To investigate the relation between serum level of vitamin D and dry eye disease. Patients and Methods:  In this cross-sectional case-control study, 40 patients with dry eye disease were enrolled.  Dry eye was diagnosed based on the slit lamp examination, tear meniscus height, tear break up time test, ocular surface disease index, and the results of Schirmer test. Forty age- and sex-matched healthy individuals served as controls. The serum level of vitamin D was measured and compared between patients with dry eye disease and controls. Results:  The mean age was 44.92  ± 11.4 and 44.07  ± 11.29 years in the case and control groups, respectively (P = 0.739). The mean serum level of vitamin D was 21.18  ± 11.83 ng/dl in the case group and 20.54 ± 9.98 ng/dl in the control group (P = 0.793). Ocular surface disease index had a positive correlation with age (r = + 0.363, P < 0.0001), but a negative correlation with the serum level of vitamin D (r = - 0.480, P = 0.002). Other investigated variables failed to demonstrate association with the serum level of vitamin D and dry eye. Conclusion: According to the present study results, no significant association between vitamin D deficiency and dry eye was detected. However, due to relatively small sample size in the present study further studies are recommended to better investigate this subject.Key words: Dry eye; Vitamin D; Schirmer test; Tear

Effects of vitamin D-fortified low fat yogurt on glycemic status, anthropometric indexes, inflammation, and bone turnover in diabetic postmenopausal women: a rando...

Background & aims: Low levels of serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D) are common in type 2 diabetic patients and cause several complications particularly, in postmenopausal women due to their senile and physiological conditions. This study aimed to assess the effects of vitamin D-fortified low fat yogurt on glycemic status, anthropometric indexes, inflammation, and bone turnover in diabetic postmenopausal women. Methods: In a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind parallel-group clinical trial, 59 postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes received fortified yogurt (FY; 2000 IU vitamin D in 100 g/day) or plain yogurt (PY) for 12 weeks. Glycemic markers, anthropometric indexes, inflammatory, and bone turnover markers were assessed at baseline and after 12 weeks. Results: After intervention, in FY group (vs PY group), were observed: significant increase in serum 25(OH)D and decrease of PTH (stable values in PY); significant improvement in serum fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, HOMA-B, QUICKI, and no changes in serum fasting glucose and HbA1c (significant worsening of all indexes in PY); significant improvement in WC, WHR, FM, and no change in weight and BMI (stable values in PY); significant increase of omentin (stable in PY) and decrease of sNTX (significant increase in PY). Final values of glycemic markers (except HbA1c), omentin, and bone turnover markers significantly improved in FY group compared to PY group. Regarding final values of serum 25(OH)D in FY group, subjects were classified in insufficient and sufficient categories. Glycemic status improved more significantly in the insufficient rather than sufficient category; whereas the other parameters had more amelioration in the sufficient category. Conclusions: Daily consumption of 2000 IU vitamin D-fortified yogurt for 12 weeks improved glycemic markers (except HbA1c), anthropometric indexes, inflammation, and bone turnover markers in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes

15-01 Effect of Cycling Skills on Bicycle Safety and Comfort Associated with Bicycle Infrastructure and Environment

This study seeks to improve the methodology for determining the relationship between cycling dynamic performance and roadway environment characteristics across different bicyclists’ skill levels. To achieve the goal of this study, an Instrumented Probe Bicycle (IPB) equipped with various sensors was built. A naturalistic field experiment, including intersections, roundabout, alignment changes, and different road surface conditions, was conducted. Two self-reported questionnaires were used in order to obtain each participant’s skill level as well as perception on the level of cycling comfortability. The Cycling Comfortability Index (CCI) was derived from the probabilistic outcome of an Ordered Probit Model, which describes the relationship between bicycle dynamics and level of comfortability. Fault Tree Analysis (FTA), a technique widely used to measure the risk of a fault event occurrence in a system, was employed to integrate mobility and comfortability. The estimation results showed that the probability of a fault event occurrence is related to the bicyclist’s experience level, incline of the roadway, and quality of the road surface. It was also found that cycling comfort level is significantly affected by the average y-axis acceleration and the mean absolute deviation of the z-axis velocity. The results of this study have practical implications for improving bicyclist perceptions on comfortability and for increasing safety for cyclists