The CAMELS data set:Catchment attributes and meteorology for large-sample studies

We present a new data set of attributes for 671 catchments in the contiguous United States (CONUS) minimally impacted by human activities. This complements the daily time series of meteorological forcing and streamflow provided by Newman et al. (2015b). To produce this extension, we synthesized diverse and complementary data sets to describe six main classes of attributes at the catchment scale: Topography, climate, streamflow, land cover, soil, and geology. The spatial variations among basins over the CONUS are discussed and compared using a series of maps. The large number of catchments, combined with the diversity of the attributes we extracted, makes this new data set well suited for large-sample studies and comparative hydrology. In comparison to the similar Model Parameter Estimation Experiment (MOPEX) data set, this data set relies on more recent data, it covers a wider range of attributes, and its catchments are more evenly distributed across the CONUS. This study also involves assessments of the limitations of the source data sets used to compute catchment attributes, as well as detailed descriptions of how the attributes were computed. The hydrometeorological time series provided by Newman et al

Déterminants du syndrome de stress post-traumatique et interventions pour y remédier chez les infirmières au retour de mission humanitaire: travail de Bachelor

De nos jours, le domaine de l’humanitaire est confronté à de nouveaux types de conflits et à des catastrophes plus importantes en intensité, en durée et en fréquence. Les infirmières partant en mission humanitaire doivent faire face à de nouveaux défis et à des situations souvent complexes et stressantes qui peuvent engendrer le développement d’un syndrome de stress post-traumatique (PTSD). Les objectifs de ce travail sont d’identifier les déterminants influençant le développement d’un PTSD chez les infirmières au retour de mission humanitaire puis de déterminer quelles en sont les conséquences. Des interventions visant à faciliter l’adaptation des infirmières sont décrites et des recommandations proposées, basées sur une revue de la littérature scientifique. Un cadre conceptuel est proposé afin de déterminer les liens entre les différents déterminants du PTSD dans le cadre humanitaire. Nos recherches ont permis d’identifier le sexe féminin, les antécédents d’événements traumatiques ainsi que la sévérité de l’exposition comme des facteurs de risque majeurs. Une consommation augmentée de tabac et alcool a été observée comme une conséquence des événements vécus sur le terrain. La préparation avant de partir en mission et une communication interne efficace ont été identifiés comme des facteurs protecteurs réduisant l’apparition d’un PTSD. Les données récoltées par cette revue de la littérature ont permis de mettre en évidence plusieurs déterminants jouant un rôle dans le risque de développer un PTSD. Cependant, les différences méthodologiques entre les recherches scientifiques et la complexité des maladies psychiatriques nous obligent à émettre des réserves quant au lien de causalité entre les facteurs de risque identifiés et le développement ou non d’un PTSD dans un cadre humanitaire

Legacy, rather than adequacy, drives the selection of hydrological models

The findings of hydrological modeling studies depend on which model was used. Although hydrological model selection is a crucial step, experience suggests that hydrologists tend to stick to the model they have experience with, and rarely switch to competing models, although these models might be more adequate given the study objectives. To gain quantitative insights into model selection, we explored the use of seven rainfall-runoff models based on the abstract of 1,529 peer-reviewed papers published between 1991 and 2018. The models selected were the Hydrologiska Byråns Vattenbalansavdelning model (HBV), the Variable Infiltration Capacity model (VIC), the mesoscale Hydrological model (mHM), the TOPography-based hydrologic model (TOPMODEL), the Precipitation Runoff Modelling System (PRMS), the Génie Rural model à 4 paramètres Journaliers (GR4J), and the Sacramento soil moisture accounting model. We provide quantitative evidence of regional preferences in model use across the world and demonstrate that specific models are consistently preferred by certain institutes. Model attachment is particularly strong. In ~74% of the studies, the model selected can be predicted solely based on the affiliation of the first author. The influence of adequacy on the model selection process is less clear. Our data reveal that each model is used across a wide range of purposes, landscapes, and temporal and spatial scales (i.e., as a model of everything and everywhere). Model intercomparisons can provide guidance for model selection and improve model adequacy, but they are still rare (because each model must usually be setup individually) and the insights they provide are currently limited (because they are rarely controlled experiments). We suggest that moving from fixed-structure models to modular modeling frameworks (master templates for model generation) can overcome these issues, enable a more collaborative and responsive model development environment, and result in improved model adequacy

Screening for foetal malformations: performance of routine ultrasonography in the population of the Swiss Canton of Vaud.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the sensitivity of ultrasonography in screening for foetal malformations in the pregnant women of the Swiss Canton of Vaud. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study over a period of five years. METHOD: We focused our study on 512 major or minor clinically relevant malformations detectable by ultrasonography. We analysed the global sensitivity of the screening and compared the performance of the tertiary centre with that of practitioners working in private practice or regional hospitals. RESULTS: Among the 512 malformations, 181 (35%) involved the renal and urinary tract system, 137 (27%) the heart, 71 (14%) the central nervous system, 50 (10%) the digestive system, 42 (8%) the face and 31 (6%) the limbs. Global sensitivity was 54.5%. The lowest detection rate was observed for cardiac anomalies, with only 23% correct diagnoses. The tertiary centre achieved a 75% detection rate in its outpatient clinic and 83% in referred patients. Outside the referral centre, the diagnostic rate attained 47%. CONCLUSIONS: Routine foetal examination by ultrasonography in a low-risk population can detect foetal structural abnormalities. Apart from the diagnosis of cardiac abnormalities, the results in the Canton of Vaud are satisfactory and justify routine screening for malformations in a low-risk population. A prerequisite is continuing improvement in the skills of ultrasonographers through medical education

Le mentorat comme stratégie de fidélisation des infirmières jeunes diplômées dans la première année d'exercice de leur profession: travail de Bachelor

Contexte La profession infirmière se trouve actuellement dans un contexte de pénurie, causé entre autre par le vieillissement de la population, les nombreux départs à la retraite de la génération « baby-boom » et les conditions de travail. Afin de freiner l’intention de quitter la profession, des stratégies de fidélisation ont été mises en place et testées dans différentes institutions. Le mentorat en fait partie, et a fait ses preuves dans la résolution de cette problématique. Objectifs Les objectifs de ce travail de Bachelor sont d’identifier les déterminants de la fidélisation et les interventions de mentorat les plus efficaces, puis de formuler des recommandations basées sur la littérature scientifique aux écoles de santé, aux institutions hospitalières, aux jeunes diplômées ainsi qu’à la recherche scientifique. Méthode Nous avons conduit une revue de la littérature scientifique afin de construire notre cadre conceptuel et de répondre à nos objectifs. Résultats Les déterminants du turnover sont variés, et peuvent être regroupés en plusieurs catégories : les facteurs individuels, les relations entre les cadres et les employées, le stress, les conditions de travail, l’intention et les raisons de quitter la profession ou une institution, l’épuisement professionnel, l’ambiance au travail, la transition entre la formation et le monde du travail, et enfin la mise en application ou non du leadership authentique. Afin de contrer le turnover, le mentorat, entre autres interventions, a été mis en place et a fait ses preuves. Conclusion Les institutions hospitalières se voient obligées de mettre en place des stratégies de fidélisation afin de contrer l’intention de quitter la profession ou une institution, et ainsi de freiner le turnover. Une de ces stratégies ayant fait ses preuves est le mentorat

Mapping (dis)agreement in hydrologic projections

Hydrologic projections are of vital socio-economic importance. However, they are also prone to uncertainty. In order to establish a meaningful range of storylines to support water managers in decision making, we need to reveal the relevant sources of uncertainty. Here, we systematically and extensively investigate uncertainty in hydrologic projections for 605 basins throughout the contiguous US. We show that in the majority of the basins, the sign of change in average annual runoff and discharge timing for the period 2070–2100 compared to 1985–2008 differs among combinations of climate models, hydrologic models, and parameters. Mapping the results revealed that different sources of uncertainty dominate in different regions. Hydrologic model induced uncertainty in the sign of change in mean runoff was related to snow processes and aridity, whereas uncertainty in both mean runoff and discharge timing induced by the climate models was related to disagreement among the models regarding the change in precipitation. Overall, disagreement on the sign of change was more widespread for the mean runoff than for the discharge timing. The results demonstrate the need to define a wide range of quantitative hydrologic storylines, including parameter, hydrologic model, and climate model forcing uncertainty, to support water resource planning

How to identify and recruit nurses to a survey 14 and 24 years after graduation in a context of scarce data: lessons learnt from the 2012 nurses at work pilot study on nurses' career paths.

BACKGROUND: Nursing workforce data are scarce in Switzerland, with no active national registry of nurses. The worldwide nursing shortage is also affecting Switzerland, so that evidence-based results of the nurses at work project on career paths and retention are needed as part of the health care system stewardship; nurses at work is a retrospective cohort study of nurses who graduated in Swiss nursing schools in the last 30 years. Results of the pilot study are presented here (process and feasibility). The objectives are (1) to determine the size and structure of the potential target population by approaching two test-cohorts of nursing graduates (1988 and 1998); (2) to test methods of identifying and reaching them 14 and 24 years after graduation; (3) to compute participation rates, and identify recruitment and participation biases. METHODS: Graduates' names were retrieved from 26 Swiss nursing schools: 488 nurses from the 1988 cohort and 597 from 1998 were invited to complete a web-based questionnaire. Initial updated addresses (n = 278, seed sample) were found using the Swiss Nursing Association member file. In addition, a snowball method was applied for recruitment, where directly-contacted respondents provided additional names of graduate mates or sent them the invitation. The study was further advertized through the main employers, study partners, and a press release. RESULTS: Participation rate was 26.5% (n = 287), higher for the older cohort of 1988 (29.7%, n = 145) than for 1998 (15.6%, n = 93). Additional nurses (n = 363) not belonging to the test cohorts also answered. All schools were represented among respondents. Only 18 respondents (6%) worked outside nursing or not at all. Among respondents, 94% would 'probably' or 'maybe' agree to participate in the main study. CONCLUSION: The pilot study demonstrated that targeted nurses could be identified and approached. There is an overwhelming interest in the project from them and from policymakers. Recommendations to increase nurses' participation rate for nurses at work include: (1) to open nurses at work recruitment to all nurses in Switzerland, while recreating cohorts post-hoc for relevant analysis; (2) to define a comprehensive communication strategy with special attention to graduate nurses who are harder to reach

EDEN: Incidence et prévalence des affections chroniques à l'âge de 4 ans dans une cohorte d'enfants vaudois: rapport EDEN no 3

[Table des matières] I. Population et méthodes. 1. Mesure de l'affection chronique et de ses conséquences. 2. Définition de l'affection chronique. 2. Test de McCarthy (MSCA). 3. Child behavior checklist (CBCL). 4. Activités de la vie quotidienne. 5. Impact de l'affection chronique de l'enfant sur la famille. 6. Soutien social : NETHELP. 7. Stratégies d'ajustement ou "coping". - II. Résultats. 1. Age des enfants lors de l'examen. 2. Incidence des affections chroniques à 4 ans dans la cohorte EDEN. 3. Description des affections chroniques. 4. Développement psycho-moteur. 5. Troubles du comportement (CBCL). 6. Incapacités et sévérité des difficultés fonctionnelles selon le questionnaire d'Oxford. 7. Status fonctionnel selon Stein (FSII-R). 8. Activités de la vie quotidienne. 9. Utilisation des services de santé : hospitalisations, consultations ambulatoires, services spécialisés, Assurance Invalidité, satisfaction des patients relative aux services utilisés, impact de l'affection chronique de l'enfant sur la famille, soutien social (NETHELP), stratégies d'ajustement ou "coping", mode de garde, contexte socio-économique. - III. Synthèse et recommandations. 1. Lettre aux médecins traitants. 2. Questionnaire à l'examen à 4 ans