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Backwater valves in sanitary sewer laterals have become a primary mechanism for reducing the risk of basement flooding in residential homes. Despite widespread reliance on these devices to prevent sewer back-up, the performance of backwater valves during significant rainfall events is mostly unknown. Using a questionnaire-based approach followed by an in-field site visit, this paper identifies installation and maintenance as the two key factors that lead to potential failures of backwater valves. Among the results discussed, failures were linked to a general lack of knowledge on backwater valve devices and the maintenance procedures required to ensure adequate performance. Key words: backwater valve, basement flooding, lot-level protection, sewer surcharge. Les clapets anti-retour utilises dans les egouts sanitaires lateraux sont devenues un mecanisme essentiel pour reduire le risque d'inondation des sous-sols dans les maisons residentielles. En depit de l'utilisation generalisee de ces dispositifs pour empecher le refoulement des egouts, le rendement des clapets anti-retour lors d'importantes chutes de pluie est pour la plupart inconnu. Dans le cadre de cette etude, a l'aide d'une approche par questionnaire suivie d'une visite sur place, on a identifie l'installation et l'entretien comme les deux principaux facteurs qui menent a des defaillances potentielles des clapets antiretour. Parmi les resultats analyses, les defaillances etaient liees a un manque general de connaissances sur les clapets antiretour et les procedures d'entretien requises pour assurer un rendement adequat. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles : clapet anti-retour, inondation de sous-sol, protection au niveau du lot, surcharge d'egout., Introduction Water-related damages represent one of the most significant causes of payouts for property and casualty insurance companies in Canada, and there is an expectation that the challenges of flooding [...]

The ever-increasing application of algorithms to decision-making in a range of social contexts has prompted demands for algorithmic accountability. Accountable decision-makers must provide their decision-subjects with justifications for their automated system's outputs, but what kinds of broader principles should we expect such justifications to appeal to? Drawing from political philosophy, I present an account of algorithmic accountability in terms of the democratic ideal of 'public reason'. I argue that situating demands for algorithmic accountability within this justificatory framework enables us to better articulate their purpose and assess the adequacy of efforts toward them., Author(s): Reuben Binns [sup.1] Author Affiliations: (Aff1) 0000 0004 1936 8948, grid.4991.5, Department of Computer Science, University of Oxford, , Oxford, UK Introduction Computer algorithms are increasingly used in decision-making [...]

Author(s): Jian Zhao [sup.1] , Yun Zhao [sup.1] , Mengran Du [sup.2] , Colin W. Binns [sup.1] , Andy H. Lee [sup.1] Author Affiliations: (1) School of Public Health, Curtin [...], Objectives To ascertain the association between caesarean delivery and breastfeeding practices in China. Methods We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and Meta-analysis Of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines. Electronic databases of CNKI, Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL, ProQuest and Science Direct were searched and screened to identify relevant articles from January 1990 to June 2015. Both fixed and random effect meta-analysis techniques were used to estimate the pooled effect size between caesarean delivery and breastfeeding outcomes at different time points. Sensitivity analysis and publication bias test were also conducted. Results Forty six studies were eligible for the qualitative synthesis of systematic review; among them, 27 studies were included for the meta-analysis. At the early postpartum period, the odds of exclusive breastfeeding after caesarean section was 47% (pooled OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.41, 0.68) lower than that after vaginal delivery. At 4 months postpartum, the odds of breastfeeding was similarly lower (pooled OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.53, 0.71) for caesarean mothers. Substantial heterogeneity among studies was detected for both breastfeeding outcomes. Subgroup analyses stratified by study design, time points of breastfeeding outcomes and definitions of breastfeeding all confirmed the negative association between caesarean section and breastfeeding prevalence. Conclusions In China, breastfeeding practices were affected adversely by caesarean delivery. Therefore, health policy to improve breastfeeding outcomes should take this into consideration.

Background/Objectives: Animal studies have demonstrated that soy isoflavones exert antidiabetic effects. However, evidence regarding the association between soyfood intake, a unique source of isoflavones, and type 2 diabetes remains inconclusive. This study assessed the relationship between habitual intakes of soyfoods and major isoflavones and risk of type 2 diabetes in Vietnamese adults. Subjects/Methods: A hospital-based case-control study was conducted in Vietnam during 2013-2015. A total of 599 newly diagnosed diabetic cases (age 40-65 years) and 599 hospital-based controls, frequency matched by age and sex, were recruited in Hanoi, capital city of Vietnam. Information on frequency and quantity of soyfood and isoflavone intake, together with demographics, habitual diet and lifestyle characteristics, was obtained from direct interviews using a validated and reliable questionnaire. Unconditional logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the association between soy variables and type 2 diabetes risk. Results: Higher intake of total soyfoods was significantly associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes; the adjusted odds ratio (OR) for the highest versus the lowest intake was 0.31 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.21-0.46; P Conclusions: Soyfood and isoflavone intake was associated with a lower type 2 diabetes risk in Vietnamese adults., Author(s): C T Nguyen [sup.1] [sup.2] , N M Pham [sup.1] [sup.3] , V V Do [sup.1] , C W Binns [sup.1] , V M Hoang [sup.4] , D A [...]

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Like all health care disciplines in the Western world, pediatric speech-language therapy has traditionally been delivered on the basis of thinking informed by a biomedical approach in which interventions are [...], Purpose: The purpose of this scoping review was to identify current measures used to evaluate speech-language outcomes for preschoolers with communication disorders within the framework of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health-Children and Youth Version (ICF-cY; World Health Organization, 2007). Method: The review involved 5 phases outlined by Arksey and O'Malley (2005) and further developed by Levac, Colquhoun, and O'Brien (2010): (a) articulating the research question; (b) identifying relevant studies; (c) selecting studies; (d) charting the data; and (e) collating, summarizing, and reporting the results. The ICF-CY was used to frame the measures included. Results: A total of 214 relevant peer-reviewed publications were included in the review. Most publications used measures to evaluate changes in outcomes for Activities (65%), followed by measures evaluating changes in Body Functions (20%), and finally measures evaluating changes at the level of Participation (15%). There has been a slight increase in the evaluation of Participation-based outcomes in the past 4 years (2012-2015). Conclusion: The review revealed a dearth of measures in the pediatric speech-language literature that address Participation-based outcomes. The authors strongly advocate for the use of Participation-based outcome measures to detect meaningful change in the lives of children and families.

Introduction The hypoxic induction of erythropoietin (EPO), a hypoxia-inducible factor-regulated (HIF-regulated) glycoprotein hormone that is essential for normal erythropoiesis, represents one of the most sensitive systemic hypoxia responses in humans [...], Renal peritubular interstitial fibroblast-like cells are critical for adult erythropoiesis, as they are the main source of erythropoietin (EPO). Hypoxia-inducible factor 2 (HIF-2) controls EPO synthesis in the kidney and liver and is regulated by prolyl-4-hydroxylase domain (PHD) dioxygenases PHD1, PHD2, and PHD3, which function as cellular oxygen sensors. Renal interstitial cells with EPO-producing capacity are poorly characterized, and the role of the PHD/HIF-2 axis in renal EPO-producing cell (REPC) plasticity is unclear. Here we targeted the PHD/HIF-2/EPO axis in FOXD1 stroma-derived renal interstitial cells and examined the role of individual PHDs in REPC pool size regulation and renal EPO output. Renal interstitial cells with EPO-producing capacity were entirely derived from FOXD1-expressing stroma, and Phd2 inactivation alone induced renal Epo in a limited number of renal interstitial cells. EPO induction was submaximal, as hypoxia or pharmacologic PHD inhibition further increased the REPC fraction among [Phd2.sup.-/-] renal interstitial cells. Moreover, Phd1 and Phd3 were differentially expressed in renal interstitium, and heterozygous deficiency for Phd1 and Phd3 increased REPC numbers in [Phd2.sup.-/-] mice. We propose that FOXD1 lineage renal interstitial cells consist of distinct subpopulations that differ in their responsiveness to Phd2 inactivation and thus regulation of HIF-2 activity and EPO production under hypoxia or conditions of pharmacologic or genetic PHD inactivation.

ABSTRACT While questioning the will to change, this note speaks to the political transition from Fidel to Raul Castro. The new administration's financial inheritance is examined and a comparison is [...]

A recently abandoned artesian bore drain in south-western Queensland was sampled to investigate soil morphology and chemistry under, and adjacent to, the drain. Such drains are supplied with alkaline, sodium-rich artesian groundwater and they provide a long-term example of the impacts of these waters on soils. A Red Kandosol and a Grey Vertosol were sampled, in the drain and at 2, 4 and 25 m perpendicular to the drain. Morphological attributes indicative of long-term saturation, such as mottling, were evident around the drains, but were absent at the control sites (25 m away). At the Kandosol location, pH and exchangeable sodium were elevated within 4 m of the drain, and salinity data suggested a horizontally displaced wetting front at ~4m from the drain. In the Grey Vertosol, which was naturally saline and sodic below 0.5 m, substantial leaching of salts had occurred around the drain, but a horizontal wetting front was also evident and exchangeable sodium was increased within 4 m of the drain. A thin, weak pan was detected in the subsoil of the Red Kandosol under the drain bank, but pans were otherwise absent under the drains. The results indicate that deep drainage is a feature not only of the Red Kandosol, but also the Grey Vertosol, despite it being sodic and despite the application of sodic, alkaline water. The findings reiterate the importance of investigating soil and water chemistry interactions when designing channels, storages and irrigation systems, in particular those using sodic-saline waters. Additional keywords: alkaline soils, Great Artesian Basin, groundwater, salinity, sodicity., Introduction Bore drains are shallow, constructed channels used to reticulate extracted groundwater to water stock in grazing lands throughout western Queensland and inland parts of Australia. Drains have been excavated [...]

Introduction Birthweight is an important indicator of neonatal survival and optimal child growth and development. Low birthweight (LBW) infants often experience severe health and developmental difficulties which have enormous costs [...], Many deliveries in low income countries still take place at home and the newborns are often not weighed. This community-based study ascertained the incidence of low birthweight (LBW) and compared the birthweight between home- and facility-born neonates in central Nepal. A total of 701 pregnant women from the Kaski district were recruited and interviewed. Birthweights of newborns were measured by pan balance in health facility settings immediately after birth, or by local community health volunteers using colour-coded spring balance within 48 h of home birth. Household follow up of participants were undertaken less than 45 days after delivery to record the weight of their infants. Of the 639 postpartum women who took part in the follow up interview, information on birthweight was available from 605 singleton births. Among them, 65 (10.7%) were born at home. Overall, the mean birthweight was 3,059 (SD 464) g and incidence of LBW was 16.5% (95% CI 13.5-19.5%). However, the home-born infants reported significantly lower (p = 0.009) mean birthweight (2,920, SD 435 g) than their facility-born counterparts (3,078, SD 461 g). This difference in birthweight remained significant (p = 0.03) after adjustment for maternal and socio-demographic characteristics. Incidence of LBW in central Nepal was quite high. Home-born babies appeared to have lower birthweight and thus their inclusion could provide an accurate estimate of the LBW rate. Keywords Birthweight * Incidence * Home delivery * Nepal

The purpose of this study was to investigate the highest bottom shear stress, induced by wind in an area of Hamilton Harbour, Ontario, Canada known as Randle Reef. The study was conducted in support of a component of a contaminated sediment remediation plan utilizing a thin layer of sand to manage contaminated sediments. Toward this end, four acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCPs) were deployed at two locations in the study region to measure velocity profiles for the purpose of indirectly measuring bottom shear stress (BSS) and model verification. There is no easy way to directly measure BSS in the field. As a result, the use of the logarithmic-profile method from the ADCP measured high resolution velocity profiles in the bottom layer was explored. This approach, according to our best knowledge, has not been published for a wind driven flow in a small open water body. To use the indirectly measured BSS to estimate the highest BSS in the study area, a three- dimensional hydrodynamic model was adopted to provide the spatial and temporal information of the bottom flow. The results showed that the modeled and measured flow velocity components agreed reasonably well at most of the water depths with the correlation coefficients being greater than 0.6. However, agreements between the modeled and measured bottom flow speeds were worse than expected due to the error contributions from both the modeled velocity components. Therefore, the modeled flow speed required rescaling based on ADCP velocity measurements before it could be deemed reliable. This is especially important in estimation of the BSS with a quadratic formula because the calculated BSS is proportional to the square of the speed. Key words: bottom shear stress, hydrodynamics, 3D hydraulic numerical models, ADCP. Resume : La presente etude avait pour but d'examiner la contrainte de cisaillement de fond la plus elevee induite par les vents dans un secteur du port d'Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, connu sous le nom du recif Randle. L'etude a ete realisee dans le cadre d'un plan de remise en etat de sediments contamines utilisant une couche mince de sable pour gerer les sediments contamines. Dans ce but, quatre profileur de courant a effet Doppler (ADCP) ont ete places en deux endroits de la region a l'etude dans le but de mesurer les profils de vitesse afin de mesurer indirectement la contrainte de cisaillement de fond (BSS) et verifier le modele. Il n'existe aucune methode facile de mesurer directement la BBS sur le terrain. La methode du profil logarithmique de l'ADCP pour mesurer des profils de vitesse a haute resolution dans la couche de fond a ete examinee. Cette approche, au meilleur de notre connaissance, n'a jamais ete publiee pour un courant du au vent dans un petit plan d'eau libre. Un modele hydrodynamique tridimensionnel a ete adopte pour fournir de l'information spatiale et temporelle sur l'ecoulement de fond afin d'utiliser la BSS mesuree indirectement pour evaluer la plus haute BSS dans la region a l'etude. Les resultats montrent que les composantes de vitesse de debit modelisee et mesuree concordent assez bien a la plupart des profondeurs d'eau, les coefficients de correlation etaient superieurs a 0,6. Toutefois, la correspondance entre les vitesses de courant de fond modelisees et mesurees etait moins bien que prevue en raison des erreurs des deux composantes modelisees. Ainsi, la vitesse de courant modelisee demande un reechelonnage base sur les mesures de vitesse de l'ADCP avant qu'elle ne puisse etre fiable. Ceci est particulierement important lors de l'estimation de la BSS dans une formule quadratique puisque la BSS calculee est proportionnelle au carre de la vitesse. [Traduit par le Redaction] Mots-cles: contrainte de cisaillement de fond, hydrodynamique, modeles numeriques hydrauliques tridimensionnels, ADCP., Introduction Randle Reef in Hamilton Harbour is considered one of the largest polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contaminated sediment sites in the Great Lakes (Graham et al. 2012). A containment approach [...]

Hancock House, Canada, 2013 256 pp. $15.95 paperback. ISBN-13: 978-0888397270 BY THE MID-1950S THE LOCH NESS Monster was almost forgotten. This creature of the mass media had faded away two [...]