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Beaches combined with sloping structures are frequently the first element of defense to protect urban areas from the impact of extreme coastal flooding events. However, these structures are rarely designed for null wave overtopping discharges, accepting that waves can pass above the crest and threat exposed elements in hinterland areas, such as pedestrians, urban elements and buildings, and vehicles. To reduce risks, Early Warning Systems (EWSs) can be used to anticipate and minimize the impacts of flooding episodes on those elements. A key aspect of these systems is the definition of non-admissible discharge levels that trigger significant impacts. However, large discrepancies in defining these discharge levels and the associated impacts are found among the existing methods to assess floodings. Due to the lack of standardization, a new conceptual and quantitative four-level (from no-impact to high-impact) categorization of flood warnings (EW-Coast) is proposed. EW-Coast integrates and unifies previous methods and builds on them by incorporating field-based information. Thus, the new categorization successfully predicted the impact level on 70%, 82%, and 85% of the overtopping episodes affecting pedestrians, urban elements and buildings, and vehicles, respectively. This demonstrates its suitability to support EWSs in areas vulnerable to wave-induced flooding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Canary Islands have a long coastline with varying levels of exposure to severe sea conditions. Frequent states of alert and emergency in some parts of their coastline are commonly related to the occurrence of extreme wave conditions. Among the phenomena directly driven by the waves when reaching the shore are the wave run-up and overtopping. Both the study of the flood level, including its variability, and the associated risks are key tools in the planning and management of coastal zones. The aim of this research is to examine the probability of occurrence of run-up events capable of exceeding different topographical levels, for estimating the risk level associated with flooding of the different areas in which the Boca Barranco Beach can be divided, in terms of their nature and use. This beach is located on the island of Gran Canaria, Spain, and is part of the site of scientific interest of Jinámar. A large wave dataset is used as input to a high-resolution numerical model for propagating offshore wave conditions to shallow waters in the study area. Furthermore, the morphology of the study area is reproduced by combining different bathymetric databases. Finally, the probability of occurrence of different levels of run-up and the corresponding levels of consequences are assigned, to assess the flood risk in the different areas of the beach, which are presented in a risk map of flooding in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the examination concerning the seawall crest using a probabilistic method. The study regarding the safety of people close to sea defences should balance potential hazards with the population's desire for access, economic activities and the costs of defence structures to investors. It has been found out that any assessment of safety under overtopping conditions should dispassionately contrast potential hazards with local vulnerability.

Probabilistic methods provide a powerful framework for the design of coastal defences. However, present knowledge of the behaviour of these structures is insufficient to permit a full assessment of their safety. It is possible to assess their safety against specific types of failure, such as excessive overtopping by wave action. However, the choice of overtopping model used to describe the failure is crucial to the outcome of the assessment. The paper illustrates the different results obtained from two models used to describe wave overtopping. The models are implemented in a software package known as PARASODE-BALI which employs the Level II First Order Reliability Method (FORM) for the design and safety assessment of coastal structures. For large overtopping discharges relevant to structural safety, the two overtopping models provide similar results. However, the differences are much greater for the small discharges commonly required to ensure the safety of people and property in urban areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes a method for predicting the rates of overtopping of seawalls by random waves. The model has been extended to cope with rough slopes. The method is in line with existing procedures, converting the actual freeboard to an equivalent value for a smooth slope. Comments have then been provided with regard to the locations at which input wave conditions might be specified. calibration. The method is also shown to predict lower overtopping rates than the two alternative procedures for both low and high relative seawall freeboards, together with similar or higher overtopping rates in the middle range of freeboards for which most physical model data are available.

Background Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide and uncontrolled Arterial Hypertension (AH) is the most important involved risk factor. An observational study published in 2019 found differences between controlled and uncontrolled AH patients, namely less frequent chronotherapy and family history health records. We aimed to study medical designed population based interventions to reach an increase in controlled AH defining a set of growth dynamics (Δ) ≥ +5 in AH prevalence of control defined for a value of 140/90 mmHg. Methods 2019 results were presented in small medical teams weekly periodic scientific meetings and upon such awareness strategies were developed for improving AH control, according to the best practice evidence available. Data were collected, 6 months later, in a randomized representative sample of AH patients in each Primary Care Health Unit for a confidence interval 95%, error margin of 5%. Descriptive and inferential analysis, for a P < 0.001 and growth dynamics (Δ) were calculated. Results In a n = 148 sample there was a significant improvement in the rate of controlled hypertension (43.9% to 67.9%, P < 0.001, Δ = +54.0). Chronotherapy improved from 29.0% to 66.2% (P < 0.001), Δ = +128.3) and family medical records also improved (88.1% to 100%, Δ + 11.9). Conclusions Significant rise in the prevalence of AH control was achieved after informative and formative intervention. Chronotherapy was significantly improved, allowing a 67.9% AH control. Family medical records also significantly improved. Healthcare professional's knowledge and reflection about their clinical activity seem to be important tools to achieve better results and hopefully health outcomes, in Arterial Hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sea walls are expensive, and fixing a sea-wall freeboard at too large a value has a financial penalty and is unnecessarily damaging to the natural environment owing to the increased impact of the structure on its surroundings. On the other hand, if the crest of a sea wall isset too low then there are potential problems with structural safetyand flooding from wave overtopping. Hence, it is important to strikethe correct balance between satisfying the structural and functionalrequirements of the project, avoiding unnecessary expense, and having undesirable impacts on the surrounding environment. The prediction of wave overtopping rates is usually based on empirical equations fitted to laboratory data. These equations do not have any theoretical basis. However, a new model has now been developed which, unlike existing expressions, accounts for the fact that no overtopping (apart from wind-blown spray) occurs if the sea-wall freeboard exceeds the maximum wave run-up on the face of the structure. This fact is of practical importance because allowable overtopping discharges to ensure the safety of people and property are quite small. This paper starts witha brief review of existing overtopping equations, then presents the new model, and concludes by giving an example of its practical implications. It is shown that, for some conditions, the new model predictssea-wall freeboards which are several metres less than those predicted by the well-known expression given by Owen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]