Behavioural, emotional, and cognitive responses in European disasters: results of survivor interviews

In the European multi-centre study BeSeCu (Behaviour, Security, Culture), interviews were conducted in seven countries to explore survivors’ emotional, behavioural, and cognitive responses during disasters. Interviews, either in groups or one-to-one, were convened according to type of event: collapse of a building; earthquake; fire; flood; and terror attack. The content analysis of interviews resulted in a theoretical framework, describing the course of the events, behavioural responses, and the emotional and cognitive processing of survivors. While the environmental cues and the ability to recognise what was happening varied in different disasters, survivors’ responses tended to be more universal across events, and most often were adaptive and non-selfish. Several peri-traumatic factors related to current levels of post-traumatic stress were identified, while memory quantity did not differ as a function of event type or post-traumatic stress. Time since the event had a minor effect on recall. Based on the findings, several suggestions for emergency training are made

The effect of sampling effort on estimates of methane ebullition from peat

We investigated the effect of sample size and sampling duration on methane bubble flux (ebullition) estimates from peat using a computer model. A field scale (10 m), seasonal (> 100 days) simulation of ebullition from a two-dimensional structurally-varying peat profile was modelled at fine spatial resolution (1 mm × 1 mm). The spatial and temporal scale of this simulation was possible because of the computational efficiency of the reduced complexity approach that was implemented, and patterns of simulated ebullition were consistent with those found in the field and laboratory. The simulated ebullition from the peat profile suggested that decreases in peat porosity – which cause increases in gas storage – produce ebullition that becomes increasingly patchy in space and erratic in time. By applying different amounts of spatial and temporal sampling effort it was possible to determine the uncertainty in ebullition estimates from the peatland. The results suggest that traditional methods to measure ebullition can equally overestimate and underestimate flux by 20% and large ebullition events can lead to large overestimations of flux when sampling effort is low. Our findings support those of field studies, and we recommend that ebullition should be measured frequently (hourly to daily) and at many locations (n > 14)

Using Magnetically Responsive Tea Waste to Remove Lead in Waters under Environmentally Relevant Conditions

We report the use of a simple yet highly effective magnetite-waste tea composite to remove lead(II) (Pb[superscript 2+]) ions from water. Magnetite-waste tea composites were dispersed in four different types of water–deionized (DI), artificial rainwater, artificial groundwater and artificial freshwater–that mimic actual environmental conditions. The water samples had varying initial concentrations (0.16–5.55 ppm) of Pb[superscript 2+] ions and were mixed with the magnetite-waste tea composite for at least 24 hours to allow adsorption of the Pb[superscript 2+] ions to reach equilibrium. The magnetite-waste tea composites were stable in all the water samples for at least 3 months and could be easily removed from the aqueous media via the use of permanent magnets. We detected no significant leaching of iron (Fe) ions into the water from the magnetite-waste tea composites. The percentage of Pb adsorbed onto the magnetite-waste tea composite ranged from ~70% to 100%; the composites were as effective as activated carbon (AC) in removing the Pb[superscript 2+] ions from water, depending on the initial Pb concentration. Our prepared magnetite-waste tea composites show promise as a green, inexpensive and highly effective sorbent for removal of Pb in water under environmentally realistic conditions.SUTD-MIT International Design Center (Research Grant IDG11200105/IDD11200109)Singapore-MIT Allianc

Systematic review of measurement properties of questionnaires measuring somatization in primary care patients

Objective The aim of this review is to critically appraise the evidence on measurement properties of self-report questionnaires measuring somatization in adult primary care patients and to provide recommendations about which questionnaires are most useful for this purpose. Methods We assessed the methodological quality of included studies using the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) checklist. To draw overall conclusions about the quality of the questionnaires, we conducted an evidence synthesis using predefined criteria for judging the measurement properties. Results We found 24 articles on 9 questionnaires. Studies on the Patient Health Questionnaire-15 (PHQ-15) and the Four-Dimensional Symptom Questionnaire (4DSQ) somatization subscale prevailed and covered the broadest range of measurement properties. These questionnaires had the best internal consistency, test-retest reliability, structural validity, and construct validity. The PHQ-15 also had good criterion validity, whereas the 4DSQ somatization subscale was validated in several languages. The Bodily Distress Syndrome (BDS) checklist had good internal consistency and structural validity. Some evidence was found for good construct validity and criterion validity of the Physical Symptom Checklist (PSC-51) and good construct validity of the Symptom Check-List (SCL-90-R) somatization subscale. However, these three questionnaires were only studied in a small number of primary care studies. Conclusion Based on our findings, we recommend the use of either the PHQ-15 or 4DSQ somatization subscale for somatization in primary care. Other questionnaires, such as the BDS checklist, PSC-51 and the SCL-90-R somatization subscale show promising results but have not been studied extensively in primary care. © 2017 Elsevier Inc

Ebullition of methane from peatlands: Does peat act as a signal shredder?

Bubbling (ebullition) of greenhouse gases, particularly methane, from peatlands has been attributed to environmental forcings, such as changes in atmospheric pressure. However, observations from peat soils suggest that ebullition and environmental forcing may not always be correlated and that interactions between bubbles and the peat structure may be the cause of such decoupling. To investigate this possibility, we used a simple computer model (Model of Ebullition and Gas storAge) to simulate methane ebullition from a model peat. We found that lower porosity peat can store methane bubbles for lengthy periods of time, effectively buffering or moderating ebullition so that it no longer reflects bubble production signals. Our results suggest that peat structure may act as a “signal shredder” and needs to be taken into account when measuring and modeling ebullition

Co-Transport of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Motile Microorganisms Leads to Enhanced Mass Transfer under Diffusive Conditions.

The environmental chemodynamics of hydrophobic organic chemicals (HOCs) are often rate-limited by diffusion in stagnant boundary layers. This study investigated whether motile microorganisms can act as microbial carriers that enhance mass transfer of HOCs through diffusive boundary layers. A new experimental system was developed that allows (1) generation of concentration gradients of HOCs under the microscope, (2) exposure and direct observation of microorganisms in such gradients, and (3) quantification of HOC mass transfer. Silicone O-rings were integrated into a Dunn chemotaxis chamber to serve as sink and source for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). This resulted in stable concentration gradients in water (>24 h). Adding the model organism <i>Tetrahymena pyriformis</i> to the experimental system enhanced PAH mass transfer up to hundred-fold (benzo­[a]­pyrene). Increasing mass transfer enhancement with hydrophobicity indicated PAH co-transport with the motile organisms. Fluorescence microscopy confirmed such transport. The effective diffusivity of <i>T. pyriformis</i>, determined by video imaging microscopy, was found to exceed molecular diffusivities of the PAHs up to four-fold. Cell-bound PAH fractions were determined to range from 28% (naphthalene) to 92% (pyrene). Motile microorganisms can therefore function as effective carriers for HOCs under diffusive conditions and might significantly enhance mobility and availability of HOCs

Modelos de flujo multifásico no isotermo y transporte reactivo multicomponente en medios porosos : 1. Formulación físico-matemática

[ES] El diseño y construcción de almacenamientos de residuos tóxicos en formaciones geológicas poco permeables requiere disponer de herramientas que permitan predecir el comportamiento a largo plazo del sistema. Por ello, es necesario el desarrollo de modelos numéricos para el estudio y predicción del comportamiento acoplado térmico, hidrodinámico, mecánico y geoquímico (THMG) tanto de la formación geológica como de los materiales arcillosos utilizados como barrera de ingeniería. En este artículo se presenta la formulación físico-matemática del flujo multifásico (agua, aire y otros gases), del transporte de un sistema multicomponente de solutos y las interacciones químicas en condiciones no isotermas. Esta formulación ha servido de base para la puesta a punto de un potente código de cálculo, FADES-CORE© (Juncosa, 1999; Juncosa y Navarro, 2000, Juncosa et al., 2001b), desarrollado en el marco de proyectos de investigación financiados por ENRESA en el contexto del almacenamiento geológico profundo de residuos radioactivos. En el segundo artículo esta serie de dos artículos (Juncosa et al., 2001a) se presenta el modelo numérico termo-hidro-geoquímico de un ensayo de laboratorio de hidratación y calentamiento realizado por CIEMAT para caracterizar las propiedades de contención y sellado de bentonitas compactadas. Aunque se ha desarrollado en el marco del almacenamiento de residuos radiactivos, la formulación matemática que se presenta así como su implementación numérica son aplicables al estudio de los procesos de flujo y transporte de solutos en la zona no saturada.Este trabajo se ha desarrollado dentro del Proyecto FEBEX financiado por ENRESA a través convenios de investigación con la Universidad de La Coruña (Proyecto FEBEX, códigos 703231 y 770045). El conjunto del Proyecto FEBEX ha recibido financiación de la Comisión Europea (Proyectos F14W-CT95-006 y FIKW-CT-2000-0016 del Programa de Fisión Nuclear). Una parte de los trabajos también ha sido realizado dentro del Proyecto CICYT HID98-282. La elaboración de la formulación física y matemática presentada en este trabajo ha sido posible gracias a las sugerencias recibidas del resto de los grupos participantes en el proyecto FEBEX (ENRESA, CIEMAT, CSIC-Zaidín, AITEMIN y las Universidades Politécnica de Cataluña y de Madrid) así como a Luis Montenegro y Ana Vázquez.Juncosa, R.; Samper Calvete, FJ.; Navarro, V.; Delgado Pin, J. (2002). Modelos de flujo multifásico no isotermo y transporte reactivo multicomponente en medios porosos : 1. Formulación físico-matemática. Ingeniería del Agua. 9(4):423-436. https://doi.org/10.4995/ia.2002.2625SWORD42343694ADENEKAN, A. E., PATZEK, T. W., PRUESS, K., (1993). Modeling of multiphase transport of multicomponent organic contaminants and heat in the subsurface: Numerical Formulation, Water Resour. Res., 29, 3727-3740.ANDERSON, G. M., CREAR. D. A., (1993). Thermodynamics in geochemistry. The equilibrium model. 566 pp. Ed. Oxford.APPELO, C. A. J., POSTMA, D., (1993). 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Code validation and application, Water Resour. Res., 28, 451-465.JUNCOSA, R., (1999). Modelos de flujo multifásico no isotermo y de transporte reactivo multicomponente en medios porosos. Tesis Doctoral. Universidad Politécnica de Madrid. 346 pp.JUNCOSA, R., SAMPER, J., NAVARRO, V., DELGADO, J., CARRETERO, P., (1999). Modelos de flujo multifásico no isotermo con reacciones químicas. En: Estudios de la Zona No Saturada. Eds. R. Muñoz-carpena, A. Ritter, C. Tascón. ICIA: Tenerife. pp: 169-174.JUNCOSA, R., NAVARRO, V. (2000). Manual del usuario de FADES-CORE (Versión 0.0a), E.T.S.I. Caminos, Canales y Puertos. Universidad de La Coruña. Informe FEBEX 70-ULC-H-5-006. 150 pp.JUNCOSA, R., SAMPER, J., NAVARRO, V., DELGADO, J. (2001a) Formulación numérica en elementos finitos de problemas de flujo multifásico no isotermo y transporte de solutos reactivos en medios porosos. Remitido a la Revista Internacional de Métodos Numéricos de Cálculo y Diseño en Ingeniería, CIMNE. (Aceptado).JUNCOSA, R., SAMPER, J., VÁZQUEZ, A. y MONTENEGRO, L. (2001b) Modelos de flujo multifásico no isotermo y transporte reactivo multicomponente en medios porosos: 2. Aplicaciones a bentonitas compactadas. Segundo artículo de la serie. Remitido a Ingeniería del Agua. (Aceptado).KALUARACHCHI, J. J., PARKER, J. C. (1989). An efficient finite element method for modeling multiphase flow, Water Resour. Res., 25, 43-54.LENHARD, R. J., PARKER, J. C., KALUARACHCHI, J. J., (1989). A model for hysteretic constitutive relations governing multiphase flow 3. Refinements and numerical simulations, Water Resour. Res., 25, 1727-1736.LICHTNER, P. C., (1996). Continuum formulation of multi-component-multiphase reactive transport, Rev. Miner., Vol 34, MSA. 1-81.MCNAB, W. W., NARASIMHAN, T. N., (1993). A multiple species transport model with sequential decay chain interactions in heterogeneus subsurface environments, Water Resour. Res., 29, 2737-2746.MILLINGTON, R. J., QUIRK, J. M., (1961). Permeability of porous solids, Trans. Faraday Soc., 57, 1200-1207.MONTENEGRO, L., JUNCOSA, R., SAMPER, J., DELGADO, J.(1997), Incorporación de procesos radiactivos en los modelos de flujo y transporte a través de bentonitas compactadas, XI Encontro Galego-Portugués de química. Ferrol. La Coruña, 269-270.NAVARRO, V., (1997). Modelo de comportamiento mecánico e hidráulico de suelos no saturados en condiciones no isotermas. Tesis Doctoral. Universidad Politécnica de Cataluña. 329 pp.NAVARRO, V., ALONSO, E., (1999). Suelos parcialmente saturados. Simulación numérica del comportamiento termo-hidro-mecánico. Revista de Obras Públicas Nº3385. Año 146. 35-46.OLIVELLA, S., Nonisothermal multiphase flow of brine and gas through saline media. Tesis Doctoral. Universidad Politécnica de Cataluña, 197 pp. 1995.PARKER, J. C., (1989). Multiphase flow and transport in porous media, Rev. Geophys., 27, 311-328.POLLOCK, D.W., (1986). 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The inverse problem of determining the filtration function and permeability reduction in flow of water with particles in porous media

The original publication can be found at www.springerlink.comDeep bed filtration of particle suspensions in porous media occurs during water injection into oil reservoirs, drilling fluid invasion of reservoir production zones, fines migration in oil fields, industrial filtering, bacteria, viruses or contaminants transport in groundwater etc. The basic features of the process are particle capture by the porous medium and consequent permeability reduction. Models for deep bed filtration contain two quantities that represent rock and fluid properties: the filtration function, which is the fraction of particles captured per unit particle path length, and formation damage function, which is the ratio between reduced and initial permeabilities. These quantities cannot be measured directly in the laboratory or in the field; therefore, they must be calculated indirectly by solving inverse problems. The practical petroleum and environmental engineering purpose is to predict injectivity loss and particle penetration depth around wells. Reliable prediction requires precise knowledge of these two coefficients. In this work we determine these quantities from pressure drop and effluent concentration histories measured in one-dimensional laboratory experiments. The recovery method consists of optimizing deviation functionals in appropriate subdomains; if necessary, a Tikhonov regularization term is added to the functional. The filtration function is recovered by optimizing a non-linear functional with box constraints; this functional involves the effluent concentration history. The permeability reduction is recovered likewise, taking into account the filtration function already found, and the functional involves the pressure drop history. In both cases, the functionals are derived from least square formulations of the deviation between experimental data and quantities predicted by the model.Alvarez, A. C., Hime, G., Marchesin, D., Bedrikovetski, P

Papillary microcarcinomas of the thyroid gland and immunohistochemical analysis of expression of p53 protein in papillary microcarcinomas

BACKGROUND: Thyroid papillary microcarcinoma (TPM) is defined according to WHO criteria as a thyroid tumor smaller than 1–1.5 cm. TPMs are encountered in 0.5–35.6 % of autopsies or surgical specimens where carcinoma had been unsuspected. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate patients who had TPMs in terms of clinical findings, histopathological features and immunohistochemical evidence of expression of the tumor suppressor gene p53. METHODS: A total of 44 patients with TPMs less than 1.0 cm in diameter were included in the study. The patients were evaluated clinically and the tumors were evaluated in terms of their histopathological and immunohistochemical features, including expression of p53. RESULTS: The female/male ratio was 2.8/1, and the median age at time of diagnosis was 49 years (range 20–71 years). The maximum diameter of the smallest focus was 0.1 mm, and that of the largest was 10 mm microscopically. The mean diameter of all tumors was 5.7 mm. There was no correlation between tumor size and age or gender. Of the TPMs, 72 % were found in the right lobe, 24 % in the left lobe and 4 % in the isthmus. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy provided the diagnosis of TPM in only 43.2 % of the patients. All patients were treated with surgery, with 20 undergoing conservative surgery, i.e. lobectomy or isthmusectomy, and 24 undergoing total thyroidectomy. Frozen section provided the diagnosis of TPM in only 56.8 % of the patients. We found lymphocytic thyroiditis in 13.6% of patients, follicular variants in 11.9%, capsular invasion in 26.8%, lymph node involvement in 11.9%, soft tissue metastases in the neck in 12.1% and multifocality in 31.7 %, and none of these were related to age or gender (p > 0.05). No distant metastases were observed during approximately 10 years of follow up. We found p53 positivity in 34.5 % of TPM tumors. However, p53 expression was not statistically related to age or gender. CONCLUSION: Our findings imply that TPMs may not be entirely innocent since they are associated with signs of poor prognosis such as capsular invasion, multifocal presentation, lymph node involvement and p53 positivity. Therefore, TPMs should be evaluated and followed like classical papillary cancers