Application of Innovative Digital Technologies in Urban Flood Risk Management

© Author(s) 2023. This work is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.Climate change can lead to several devastating hazards, including extreme rainfall and alteration of precipitation patterns that both contribute to more urban floods and various repercussions on urban life and infrastructure [1]. The establishment of risk management strategies along with engaging involved parties, i.e., authorities and publics, has become an integral part of mitigating strategies for growing urban flood risk [2]. These control measures have undergone several principal transformations in recent years particularly due to development of the real-time early warning of flood forecasting systems associated with digital innovative technologies such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and digital twin (DT). These technologies have been widely used for not only virtually real-time representation of formation and development of urban flooding but also raising stakeholder knowledge and awareness regarding the consequences of flood risk [3,4]. In this research work, the application of digital innovative technologies in the digital visualisation of urban floods and increasing stakeholder awareness has been investigated. To begin with, VR has been widely used to model pluvial floods by creating a simulated artificial 3D environment that allows users to explore and interact with virtual surroundings. AR has been implemented through the development of mobile apps that enables the user to investigate the possibility of a flood. DT commencing an efficient flood risk communication tool to provide the user with information about the current condition, potential risks, and flood-prone areas that are integrated into the complex real-time digital system made up of numerous sensors, logic devices, and predictive functions in urban areas. The results of investigation show while conventional technologies have often concentrated on authorities, the above innovative technologies have shifted their focus to local authorities and public. VR has been comprehensively employed to engage them in risk control management through allowing the users to interact with the system under risks. AR is mainly utilised to serve the public through installed software on their phones and investigating flood-prone areas. The focus of DT has been on involving authorities and operators to understand the real-time information about flood hydraulics and function of urban system and components. Despite the extensive capabilities, DT has yet to be properly taken into account and, if properly presented, can be effective in raising public awareness especially because of its significant abilities in the virtual representation of interactions within the system.Peer reviewe

Determination of tensile behavior of hot-pressed Mg-TiO2 and Mg-ZrO2 nanocomposites using indentation test and a holistic inverse modeling technique

The present study aims to implement a non-destructive approach to determine the tensile properties of magnesium-based nanocomposites reinforced with ZrO2 and TiO2 nanoparticles. Micron-sized magnesium particles were blended with 0, 1.5, 3, and 5 volume percentage of ZrO2 and TiO2 nanoparticles and hot-pressed at 450 °C under the pressure of 600 MPa. Next, the spherical indentation test was performed on the produced composites to obtain the load–penetration curves. A finite element model of the indentation test was then developed using the Hollomon material model with randomly chosen materials constants. At the next stage, load–penetration curves were obtained for each composite using simulations. A Levenberg–Marquardt neural network was then trained and utilized to find the correct material constants by minimizing the differences between the experimental and simulated load–penetration curves. The results indicated that there is a linear relationship between the tensile strength and content of the reinforcement phase, while it is inversely proportional to the size of the reinforcing particles. Magnesium composites reinforced with 5 volume percentage of ZrO2 and TiO2 nanoparticles showed tensile strengths 2.5 and 2.1 times greater than that of unreinforced magnesium, respectively. It was shown that the proposed method is able to calculate the tensile properties of magnesium-based composites in an accurate and inexpensive manner

A critical review for the application of Cutting-edge Digital Visualisation Technologies for Effective Urban Flood Risk Management

Cutting-edge digital visualisation tools (CDVT) are playing an increasingly important role in improving urban flood risk management. However, there is a paucity of comprehensive research examining their role across all stages of urban flood risk management. To address, this study conducts an integrated critical review to identify the application of CDVT and assess their contribution to the prevention, mitigation, preparation, response, and recovery stages of flood risk management. The results show that virtual reality, augmented reality, and digital twin technologies are the primary CDVT used in urban flood visualisation, with virtual reality being the most frequently used. The focus of urban flood visualisation studies has been primarily on preparation and mitigation stages. However, there is a need to investigate the application of these technologies in the entire urban water cycle. Furthermore, there is potential for greater adoption of digital twin, especially in simulating urban flood inundation and flood evacuation routes. Integrating real-time data, data-driven modeling, and CDVT can significantly improve real-time flood forecasting. This benefits stakeholders and the public by enhancing early warning systems, preparedness, and flood resilience, leading to more effective flood risk management and reduced impacts on communities

بررسی وضعیت بروز عوارض مصرف هورمون و مواد نیروزا در ورزشکاران پرورش اندام ایلام

Background and aim: Unfortunately, some people have abused medical advances, and doping drug is a major problem that modern societies are facing. This study was designed to estimate the prevalence of energizers and supplement use and their side effects among young adults in Ilam. Methods: This study was performed in fitness clubs by random sampling method. Data were collected by a questionnaire whose validity and reliability were confirmed. The correlation coefficient between the two operational periods was 0.78. The data were analyzed by using SPSS software at a significant level of 5%. Results: The numbers of 784 cases were studied who reported 50.3% use of different supplements, 35.5% use doping drugs. 64.5% reported at least one of the side effects. The results show a significant increase in supplements usage in the first three years of athletes. Using supplements and doping drugs is more common in professional athletes. Conclusion: Specialized training education on the side effects of supplements and drugs at an earlier age and the first years of entering the clubs can have a better impact on reducing consumption.سابقه و هدف: متاسفانه افرادی از پیشرفت­‌های پزشکی سوء­استفاده کرده و سوء­مصرف مواد نیروزا از معضلات گریبانگیر جوامع مدرن است. مطالعه با هدف برآورد میزان عوارض و شیوع مصرف مواد مکمل و مواد نیروزا در جوانان شهر ایلام انجام گردید. روش کار: این مطالعه در باشگاه­‌های بدنسازی به روش نمونه­‌گیری تخصیص تصادفی انجام شد. داده­‌ها با استفاده از پرسشنامه جمع­‌آوری شد که روایی و پایایی آن تایید شد. ضریب همبستگی بین دو دوره عملیاتی 0/78 بود. داده­‌ها با استفاده از نرم­‌افزار SPSS در سطح معنی­‌داری 5 درصد تجزیه و تحلیل شدند. یافته­‌ها: مطالعه با شرکت 784 نفر انجام شد که 50/3 درصد مصرف انواع مکمل و 35/5 درصد مصرف مواد نیروزا را گزارش کرده­‌اند. 64/5% افراد حداقل یکی از عوارض جانبی را گزارش کرده­‌اند. نتایج این پژوهش نشان داد، در 3 سال ابتدایی فعالیت ورزشکاران افزایش معنی‌­داری در مصرف مکمل‌ها وجود دارد. مصرف مکمل­‌ها و مواد نیروزا در ورزشکاران حرفه‌ای بیشتر بود. نتیجه‌گیری: آموزش­‌های تخصصی در خصوص عوارض استفاده از هورمون‌ها و مواد نیروزا در سنین پایین و سال‌های ابتدایی ورود به باشگاه می‌­تواند تاثیر زیادی در کاهش مصرف آنها داشته باشد

Global, regional, and national burden of chronic kidney disease, 1990–2017 : a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017

Background Health system planning requires careful assessment of chronic kidney disease (CKD) epidemiology, but data for morbidity and mortality of this disease are scarce or non-existent in many countries. We estimated the global, regional, and national burden of CKD, as well as the burden of cardiovascular disease and gout attributable to impaired kidney function, for the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2017. We use the term CKD to refer to the morbidity and mortality that can be directly attributed to all stages of CKD, and we use the term impaired kidney function to refer to the additional risk of CKD from cardiovascular disease and gout. Methods The main data sources we used were published literature, vital registration systems, end-stage kidney disease registries, and household surveys. Estimates of CKD burden were produced using a Cause of Death Ensemble model and a Bayesian meta-regression analytical tool, and included incidence, prevalence, years lived with disability, mortality, years of life lost, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs). A comparative risk assessment approach was used to estimate the proportion of cardiovascular diseases and gout burden attributable to impaired kidney function. Findings Globally, in 2017, 1·2 million (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 1·2 to 1·3) people died from CKD. The global all-age mortality rate from CKD increased 41·5% (95% UI 35·2 to 46·5) between 1990 and 2017, although there was no significant change in the age-standardised mortality rate (2·8%, −1·5 to 6·3). In 2017, 697·5 million (95% UI 649·2 to 752·0) cases of all-stage CKD were recorded, for a global prevalence of 9·1% (8·5 to 9·8). The global all-age prevalence of CKD increased 29·3% (95% UI 26·4 to 32·6) since 1990, whereas the age-standardised prevalence remained stable (1·2%, −1·1 to 3·5). CKD resulted in 35·8 million (95% UI 33·7 to 38·0) DALYs in 2017, with diabetic nephropathy accounting for almost a third of DALYs. Most of the burden of CKD was concentrated in the three lowest quintiles of Socio-demographic Index (SDI). In several regions, particularly Oceania, sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America, the burden of CKD was much higher than expected for the level of development, whereas the disease burden in western, eastern, and central sub-Saharan Africa, east Asia, south Asia, central and eastern Europe, Australasia, and western Europe was lower than expected. 1·4 million (95% UI 1·2 to 1·6) cardiovascular disease-related deaths and 25·3 million (22·2 to 28·9) cardiovascular disease DALYs were attributable to impaired kidney function. Interpretation Kidney disease has a major effect on global health, both as a direct cause of global morbidity and mortality and as an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. CKD is largely preventable and treatable and deserves greater attention in global health policy decision making, particularly in locations with low and middle SDI

Measuring universal health coverage based on an index of effective coverage of health services in 204 countries and territories, 1990–2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

© 2020 Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY 4.0 license Background: Achieving universal health coverage (UHC) involves all people receiving the health services they need, of high quality, without experiencing financial hardship. Making progress towards UHC is a policy priority for both countries and global institutions, as highlighted by the agenda of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and WHO's Thirteenth General Programme of Work (GPW13). Measuring effective coverage at the health-system level is important for understanding whether health services are aligned with countries' health profiles and are of sufficient quality to produce health gains for populations of all ages. Methods: Based on the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019, we assessed UHC effective coverage for 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2019. Drawing from a measurement framework developed through WHO's GPW13 consultation, we mapped 23 effective coverage indicators to a matrix representing health service types (eg, promotion, prevention, and treatment) and five population-age groups spanning from reproductive and newborn to older adults (≥65 years). Effective coverage indicators were based on intervention coverage or outcome-based measures such as mortality-to-incidence ratios to approximate access to quality care; outcome-based measures were transformed to values on a scale of 0–100 based on the 2·5th and 97·5th percentile of location-year values. We constructed the UHC effective coverage index by weighting each effective coverage indicator relative to its associated potential health gains, as measured by disability-adjusted life-years for each location-year and population-age group. For three tests of validity (content, known-groups, and convergent), UHC effective coverage index performance was generally better than that of other UHC service coverage indices from WHO (ie, the current metric for SDG indicator 3.8.1 on UHC service coverage), the World Bank, and GBD 2017. We quantified frontiers of UHC effective coverage performance on the basis of pooled health spending per capita, representing UHC effective coverage index levels achieved in 2019 relative to country-level government health spending, prepaid private expenditures, and development assistance for health. To assess current trajectories towards the GPW13 UHC billion target—1 billion more people benefiting from UHC by 2023—we estimated additional population equivalents with UHC effective coverage from 2018 to 2023. Findings: Globally, performance on the UHC effective coverage index improved from 45·8 (95% uncertainty interval 44·2–47·5) in 1990 to 60·3 (58·7–61·9) in 2019, yet country-level UHC effective coverage in 2019 still spanned from 95 or higher in Japan and Iceland to lower than 25 in Somalia and the Central African Republic. Since 2010, sub-Saharan Africa showed accelerated gains on the UHC effective coverage index (at an average increase of 2·6% [1·9–3·3] per year up to 2019); by contrast, most other GBD super-regions had slowed rates of progress in 2010–2019 relative to 1990–2010. Many countries showed lagging performance on effective coverage indicators for non-communicable diseases relative to those for communicable diseases and maternal and child health, despite non-communicable diseases accounting for a greater proportion of potential health gains in 2019, suggesting that many health systems are not keeping pace with the rising non-communicable disease burden and associated population health needs. In 2019, the UHC effective coverage index was associated with pooled health spending per capita (r=0·79), although countries across the development spectrum had much lower UHC effective coverage than is potentially achievable relative to their health spending. Under maximum efficiency of translating health spending into UHC effective coverage performance, countries would need to reach $1398 pooled health spending per capita (US$ adjusted for purchasing power parity) in order to achieve 80 on the UHC effective coverage index. From 2018 to 2023, an estimated 388·9 million (358·6–421·3) more population equivalents would have UHC effective coverage, falling well short of the GPW13 target of 1 billion more people benefiting from UHC during this time. Current projections point to an estimated 3·1 billion (3·0–3·2) population equivalents still lacking UHC effective coverage in 2023, with nearly a third (968·1 million [903·5–1040·3]) residing in south Asia. Interpretation: The present study demonstrates the utility of measuring effective coverage and its role in supporting improved health outcomes for all people—the ultimate goal of UHC and its achievement. Global ambitions to accelerate progress on UHC service coverage are increasingly unlikely unless concerted action on non-communicable diseases occurs and countries can better translate health spending into improved performance. Focusing on effective coverage and accounting for the world's evolving health needs lays the groundwork for better understanding how close—or how far—all populations are in benefiting from UHC. Funding: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

The global, regional, and national burden of stomach cancer in 195 countries, 1990-2017 : a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease study 2017

Background: Stomach cancer is a major health problem in many countries. Understanding the current burden of stomach cancer and the differential trends across various locations is essential for formulating effective preventive strategies. We report on the incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) due to stomach cancer in 195 countries and territories from 21 regions between 1990 and 2017. Methods: Estimates from GBD 2017 were used to analyse the incidence, mortality, and DALYs due to stomach cancer at the global, regional, and national levels. The rates were standardised to the GBD world population and reported per 100 000 population as age-standardised incidence rates, age-standardised death rates, and age-standardised DALY rates. All estimates were generated with 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs). Findings: In 2017, more than 1·22 million (95% UI 1·19–1·25) incident cases of stomach cancer occurred worldwide, and nearly 865 000 people (848 000–885 000) died of stomach cancer, contributing to 19·1 million (18·7–19·6) DALYs. The highest age-standardised incidence rates in 2017 were seen in the high-income Asia Pacific (29·5, 28·2–31·0 per 100 000 population) and east Asia (28·6, 27·3–30·0 per 100 000 population) regions, with nearly half of the global incident cases occurring in China. Compared with 1990, in 2017 more than 356 000 more incident cases of stomach cancer were estimated, leading to nearly 96 000 more deaths. Despite the increase in absolute numbers, the worldwide age-standardised rates of stomach cancer (incidence, deaths, and DALYs) have declined since 1990. The drop in the disease burden was associated with improved Socio-demographic Index. Globally, 38·2% (21·1–57·8) of the age-standardised DALYs were attributable to high-sodium diet in both sexes combined, and 24·5% (20·0–28·9) of the age-standardised DALYs were attributable to smoking in males. Interpretation: Our findings provide insight into the changing burden of stomach cancer, which is useful in planning local strategies and monitoring their progress. To this end, specific local strategies should be tailored to each country's risk factor profile. Beyond the current decline in age-standardised incidence and death rates, a decrease in the absolute number of cases and deaths will be possible if the burden in east Asia, where currently almost half of the incident cases and deaths occur, is further reduced. Funding: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Global injury morbidity and mortality from 1990 to 2017 : results from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017

Correction:Background Past research in population health trends has shown that injuries form a substantial burden of population health loss. Regular updates to injury burden assessments are critical. We report Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2017 Study estimates on morbidity and mortality for all injuries. Methods We reviewed results for injuries from the GBD 2017 study. GBD 2017 measured injury-specific mortality and years of life lost (YLLs) using the Cause of Death Ensemble model. To measure non-fatal injuries, GBD 2017 modelled injury-specific incidence and converted this to prevalence and years lived with disability (YLDs). YLLs and YLDs were summed to calculate disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Findings In 1990, there were 4 260 493 (4 085 700 to 4 396 138) injury deaths, which increased to 4 484 722 (4 332 010 to 4 585 554) deaths in 2017, while age-standardised mortality decreased from 1079 (1073 to 1086) to 738 (730 to 745) per 100 000. In 1990, there were 354 064 302 (95% uncertainty interval: 338 174 876 to 371 610 802) new cases of injury globally, which increased to 520 710 288 (493 430 247 to 547 988 635) new cases in 2017. During this time, age-standardised incidence decreased non-significantly from 6824 (6534 to 7147) to 6763 (6412 to 7118) per 100 000. Between 1990 and 2017, age-standardised DALYs decreased from 4947 (4655 to 5233) per 100 000 to 3267 (3058 to 3505). Interpretation Injuries are an important cause of health loss globally, though mortality has declined between 1990 and 2017. Future research in injury burden should focus on prevention in high-burden populations, improving data collection and ensuring access to medical care.Peer reviewe