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In expeditionary environments, the consistent availability of blood for casualty care is imperative yet challenging. Responding to evidence and the specific needs of its expeditionary context, the US Central Command (USCENTCOM) prioritized supplying stored low titer O whole blood (LTOWB) to its units from March, 2023 onward. A strategy was devised to set minimal LTOWB on-hand supply benchmarks, determined by the number of operating beds and point of injury teams. This transition led to a 54% reduction in orders for packed red blood cells. As a countermove, the Armed Services Blood Program (ASBP) enhanced LTOWB production at a conversion rate 2:1 from packed red blood cell to LTOWB. Consequently, there was a decline in expired blood products, and fulfillment rates for blood requests are projected to reach 100% consistently. This paper delves into the intricacies of the expeditionary blood supply, the rationale behind the LTOWB transition, the devised allocation strategy, and the subsequent impacts of this change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study proposes porous block structures as a viable alternative to conventional pebble bed structures, aiming to overcome the structural drawbacks including low packing fractions, extensive stress concentrations, and low thermal conductivity. To validate the feasibility of the porous block structures, Gyroid Li 2 TiO 3 block breeders were prepared by the hybrid process of stereolithography and gelcasting. The resulting Gyroid Li 2 TiO 3 block breeders, measuring ∼18.8 × 18.8 × 18.8 mm3, achieved a high packing fraction of ∼78.8% through optimized slurry and sintering at 1100 °C for 3 h. These Gyroid Li 2 TiO 3 block breeders exhibited clear contours, integrated channels, a compressive strength of 8.78 MPa, and a low isotropic sintering shrinkage of ∼6%. The hybrid process demonstrated enormous advantages over the reported 3D printing for the preparation of porous block breeders with low shrinkage and large-sized dimensions. This study offers an effective avenue for the manufacture of porous block breeders with tunable tritium-releasing channels and large-sized configurations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Arab International Journal of Digital Art & Designs is the property of Arab Institution of Knowledge Management and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Prolonged mechanical loading of the skin and underlying soft tissue cause pressure ulceration. The use of special support surfaces are key interventions in pressure ulcer prevention. They modify the degree and duration of soft tissue deformation and have an impact on the skin microclimate. The objective of this randomized cross‐over trial was to compare skin responses and comfort after lying for 2.5 h supine on a support surface with and without a coverlet that was intended to assist with heat and moisture removal at the patient/surface interface. In addition, physiological saline solution was administered to simulate an incontinence episode on the mattress next to the participants' skin surface. In total, 12 volunteers (mean age 69 years) with diabetes mellitus participated. After loading, skin surface temperature, stratum corneum hydration and skin surface pH increased, whereas erythema and structural stiffness decreased at the sacral area. At the heel skin area, temperature, erythema, and stratum corneum hydration increased. These results indicate occlusion and soft tissue deformation which was aggravated by the saline solution. The differences in skin response showed only minor differences between the support surface with or without the coverlet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Foco (Interdisciplinary Studies Journal) is the property of Revista Foco and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Hong Tan Department of Periodontal Mucosal Disease, The Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Luzhou, Sichuan, 646000, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Hong Tan, Email tanhongcloud@126.comObjective: To analyze the equity of bed allocation of the department of stomatology in Chinese hospitals and predict the development in the next 5 years, so as to provide a scientific basis for promoting the development of oral health.Methods: Data on the beds of the department of stomatology in Chinese hospitals from 2017 to 2021 were obtained from the China Health Statistical Yearbook. The Gini coefficient, Lorenz curve, Theil index and agglomeration degree were used to analyze the equity of the bed allocation, and the grey prediction model GM(1,1) was used to predict the development from 2022 to 2026.Results: From 2017 to 2020, the Gini coefficient of bed allocation of the department of stomatology in Chinese hospitals was below 0.2 by population. From 2017 to 2021, the Gini coefficient of beds was above 0.6 by geography and between 0.2 and 0.3 by economy. The Theil index of beds ranged from 0.022 to 0.056 by population, from 0.532 to 0.564 by geography, and from 0.042 to 0.047 by economy. The inequity in the allocation by population was mainly from between regions, and the inequity in the allocation by geography and economy was mainly from within regions. Health resource agglomeration degree (HRAD) was greater than 2 in the eastern and central regions and less than 1 in the western region. HRAD/ population agglomeration degree (PAD) was greater than 1 in the northeast, eastern, and central regions and less than 1 in the western region. According to the prediction, the number of beds of the department of stomatology in Chinese hospitals will continue to increase, reaching 47,862.485 in 2026.Conclusion: The equity of bed allocation was better by population and economy than by geography. The equity of beds in the western region is insufficient equity by population and geography, and the equity of beds in the eastern region is insufficient equity by economy.Keywords: department of stomatology, beds, equity, prediction, China

Background: The Standard Inpatient Class Policy (KRIS) in Indonesia aims to provide equitable healthcare services, ensuring the same standards in inpatient wards across all hospitals in Indonesia. This policy has been issued since 2021 and is mandatory for all hospitals to implement by December 2024. The implementation of the KRIS policy impacts hospitals, necessitating analysis and mitigation of risks arising from its implementation. This study aims to provide an overview of the analysis and mitigation of risks in the standard inpatient class implemented by Hospital X. Method: Qualitative research using Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) in November 2023 involving 7 key informants, including Hospital Directors and Department Heads, regarding the mitigation of risks in the standard inpatient class using risk analysis matrices. Results: There are two criteria for the standard inpatient class that pose a very high level of risk, namely the building components lacking high porosity and the density of ward spaces and bed spacing. Conclusion: Hospital X implements risk mitigation by taking actions to reduce the impact of risks through room improvement based on related room reports, risk reduction mitigation by planning inpatient building renovations, and risk acceptance mitigation by allowing ward areas to be 9.8 square meters per bed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two novel vaccines against malaria are proposed as a complementary control tool to prevent and reduce Plasmodium falciparum related disease and death in under-five children from moderate to high malaria transmission regions. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has committed to eradicate malaria by 2030, and significant efforts have been deployed to strengthen control and elimination measures. We aimed to understand factors influencing the malaria vaccine acceptability among the general population in eastern DRC. We conducted a survey among adult Congolese in Bukavu in March 2022. The questionnaire was adapted from the Behavioral and Social Drivers of vaccine uptake (BeSD) framework and was administered online and physically. Multivariate logistic regressions were built, and estimates were represented as adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). Out of 1612 adults (median age: 39 years, 46.15% female) surveyed, only 7.26% were aware of the malaria vaccine. However, 46.53% expressed willingness to vaccinate themselves, and 52.60% were open to vaccinating their under-five children. Adjusting for confounding factors, non-student/non-healthcare worker professions (aOR = 0.58, 95%CI [0.42–0.78]) and middle-income status (aOR = 1.87, 95%CI [1.25–2.80]) were significantly associated with self-vaccination acceptance. Age played a role in under-five child vaccination acceptability, with 25 to over 64 years showing increased acceptability compared to the 18–24 age group. Additionally, non-student/non-healthcare worker professions (aOR = 1.88, 95%CI [1.37–2.59]), medium education levels (aOR = 2.64, 95%CI [1.29–5.79]), and residing in semi-rural areas (aOR = 1.63, 95%CI [1.27–2.10]) were predictors of under-five child vaccination acceptance. The acceptability of the malaria vaccine for self and for under-five children was suboptimal for effective malaria control in this community in the DRC. Our study constitutes a call for the Expanded Program on Immunization to closely work with various stakeholders to strengthen risk communication for community engagement prior to and during the introduction of this novel and lifesaving tool, malaria vaccination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"Memory Cut" is a photo essay by Erin E. Edwards that reflects on the author's memories of her mother and their shared activities. The author contemplates the nature of memory and the impact of loss as her mother's memory deteriorates. The article also explores the challenges of visiting a nursing home and the author's struggle to be recognized as her mother's daughter. Despite these difficulties, the author finds solace in their walks together and the moments of beauty they encounter. The text is a personal reflection on a meaningful connection and the author's efforts to preserve and remember it. [Extracted from the article]

Understanding the contributions of stream bank and bed erosion will allow us to implement the most effective management practices. The objective of this study was to assess different methods to measure bank and bed erosion at different scales, specifically the watershed, reach and plot. Innovative and traditional methods were utilized. At the watershed scale, indices based on free satellite images were used. For the reach scale, indices were used, but the images with higher accuracy were purchased and captured by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). At the plot scale, erosion pins, cross-sections and laser scanning were applied. The watershed scale analysis showcased "hot spots". These "hot spots" were reaches vulnerable to erosion and deposition. The indices of the purchased images were applied to these "hot spots" and allowed us to narrow the length of the reaches where UAV flights took place. These flight images located where erosion and deposition occurred. Finally, at the plot scale, laser scanning provided more detailed and accurate data at a greater scale compared to the traditional methods. The implementation of these methods allows us to find the areas vulnerable to erosion and deposition. These are the areas where nature-based solutions should be implemented to effectively mitigate erosion problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Housing has long been the quintessential rentier asset. But under financialized capitalism its enrolment into accumulation dynamics has greatly intensified. As investors increasingly turn to residential real estate in search of corporate rents, the logic of assetization is reaching novel locations in the housing process – extending to new scales, metrics and micro-morphologies. This paper argues one such novel location is that most intimate and familiar of places: the bed. Bringing together constructivist and political economy approaches to assets and drawing on the empirical case of co-living, the bed is identified as both a technical tool for projecting and enhancing income from real estate, and a strategy for de-risking investments by hyper-focusing on the necessities of life. Reducing domestic space to a technology for bare repose, bed-as-asset offers key insights into how the rhythms of housing are being harmonized with the needs of investors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The SiC reticulated porous ceramics (RPCs) fabricated via sponge replica method usually showed a poor thermal shock resistance due to their randomly distributed skeleton structure and hollow struts. The present work reports a simple approach to prepare SiC RPCs with 3D lattices structure using the replica of printed resin, followed by pre-heated in coke bed and vacuum infiltration. The increased Si content and flake graphite addition promoted the formation of SiC whiskers network structure on the surface and matrix of SiC preform after pre-heated at 1400 °C. As SiC preforms were applied by vacuum infiltration and sintering, the three-layer struts included dense coating, SiC skeleton layer and filling layer were generated. Furthermore, in-situ SiC whiskers eliminated the coating cracks, also optimized the microstructure of the SiC matrix, thereby enhancing the thermal shock resistance and strength of SiC RCPs, whose strength increased from 0.36 MPa to 1.53 MPa, also the residual strength retention rate increased from 0 % to 75.2 % after three cycles of water- quenching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The kelp forest and bed of Laminaria ochroleuca were found in October 2023 in Porticello (Scylla -Reggio Calabria, Italy) between 48 and 55 m depth. Samples were collected for future genetic and sedimentological analyses and identification of associated fauna and flora. The aim of the upcoming research campaigns is to update the current knowledge of Laminaria forests in the Messina Strait, estimating the action and consequences of climate change at the local level. The project will involve the community of technical divers in long term monitoring (3–5 years), in order to measure ecosystem services. The information will be used to draft a policy document for the proposal of protected areas of the most extensive forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The efficient separation of emulsified oily wastewater is urgently needed and remains a worldwide challenge. However, the preparation of underwater superoleophobic materials still suffer from complicated process control, special equipment and expensive reagents, which further restricts the large-scale application of such materials. Herein, one-step constructing of underwater superoleophobic beds is introduced for highly efficient gravity-directed separation of various oil-in-water emulsions. Importantly, this study simplifies the fabrication process of underwater superoleophobic materials. It's worth noting that the strategy can achieve the effective separation of a range of oil-in-water emulsions by only requires simple accumulation of hydrophilic materials. More importantly, the underwater superoleophobic sandwich-structured beds still maintain the separation efficiency more than 99.2% after 10 cycles. In addition, this strategy is suitable for a variety of hydrophilic materials, which provides new perspectives for fabrication of novel oil-water emulsion-separating materials. One-step constructing of underwater superoleophobic bed was used for high efficiency separation of oil-in-water emulsions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the contribution of raw materials to the quality of the final product is crucial for the food industry. In the brewing process, malt delivers various compounds that compromise the flavour stability of beer, including staling aldehydes and their precursors. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the evolution of staling aldehydes and their cysteinylated counterparts throughout industrial scale pale malt production. The second objective was to study the extent to which process related gradients (e.g., temperature, moisture) may contribute to the differential formation of free and bound state aldehydes. Samples were collected from two industrial scale, pale lager malt production processes as a function of process time (germination, kilning, and cooling) and the position of the kernals in the grain bed (bottom, middle and top layers) during kilning. The levels of free and cysteinylated aldehydes were determined. The results show that the initial stage of germination is accompanied by enzymatic fatty acid oxidation as reflected by the formation of hexanal and trans-2-nonenal. Drying at elevated temperature (at a critical moisture content of 6-9%) results in the intensified formation of cysteinylated Strecker aldehydes and furfural. Moreover, a rapid increase in the formation of (cysteinylated) Strecker aldehydes furfural and trans-2-nonenal continued through kilning. A clear effect of temperature and moisture gradients was observed on the formation of aldehydes and it is concluded that exposure to heat load plays a critical role in the development of cysteinylated aldehydes during malt production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Due to the importance of breastfeeding and the necessity of identifying the factors affecting the creation and promotion of this behavior, this study aims to determine the relationship between sleeping place, duration of weaning time, and breastfeeding in Children aged 2-3 years. Methods: This study was descriptive and analytical-correlational research in 2021. The participants were 214 children aged 2-3 years old from the health centers of Ramsar city, Iran. The sampling method of the present study was convenient. The tool of the study was a researcher-made questionnaire on infant sleeping places and breastfeeding. The data were entered into SPSS 16 and analyzed using the univariate chi-square test, Pearson correlation coefficient, and analysis of variance(P=0.05). Results: Exclusive feeding 69.2% (148 people) of children who were exclusively breastfed and in the usual place of sleep, 36.4% (78 people) of children slept in a shared bed with adults, and 57.5% (123 people) shared a room. However, in a separate bed, 1.6% (13 people) slept in a separate room. The average age of weaning in children sleeping in a shared room in the mother’s bed and next to the mother is 1.27 times and 1.30 times that of children sleeping in a separate room, respectively. The relationship between Infant’s sleeping place and the duration of exclusive breastfeeding (P=0.005), age of weaning onset (P=0.007), length of weaning (P=0.018), and definite age of weaning (P=0.014) was significant. 56.5% of infants (n=121) were female, and 56.1% (n=120) had the first birth rank. Breast milk exclusively fed 69.2% (n=148) of infants. Conclusion: The results showed that the place of sleep has a significant relationship with the exclusive feeding of milk and the age at which the child is weaned. The results of this study can be useful in planning interventions to promote exclusive breastfeeding and increase the duration of feeding infants with breast milk.

Two novel vaccines against malaria are proposed as a complementary control tool to prevent and reduce Plasmodium falciparum related disease and death in under-five children from moderate to high malaria transmission regions. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has committed to eradicate malaria by 2030, and significant efforts have been deployed to strengthen control and elimination measures. We aimed to understand factors influencing the malaria vaccine acceptability among the general population in eastern DRC. We conducted a survey among adult Congolese in Bukavu in March 2022. The questionnaire was adapted from the Behavioral and Social Drivers of vaccine uptake (BeSD) framework and was administered online and physically. Multivariate logistic regressions were built, and estimates were represented as adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). Out of 1612 adults (median age: 39 years, 46.15% female) surveyed, only 7.26% were aware of the malaria vaccine. However, 46.53% expressed willingness to vaccinate themselves, and 52.60% were open to vaccinating their under-five children. Adjusting for confounding factors, non-student/non-healthcare worker professions (aOR = 0.58, 95%CI [0.42–0.78]) and middle-income status (aOR = 1.87, 95%CI [1.25–2.80]) were significantly associated with self-vaccination acceptance. Age played a role in under-five child vaccination acceptability, with 25 to over 64 years showing increased acceptability compared to the 18–24 age group. Additionally, non-student/non-healthcare worker professions (aOR = 1.88, 95%CI [1.37–2.59]), medium education levels (aOR = 2.64, 95%CI [1.29–5.79]), and residing in semi-rural areas (aOR = 1.63, 95%CI [1.27–2.10]) were predictors of under-five child vaccination acceptance. The acceptability of the malaria vaccine for self and for under-five children was suboptimal for effective malaria control in this community in the DRC. Our study constitutes a call for the Expanded Program on Immunization to closely work with various stakeholders to strengthen risk communication for community engagement prior to and during the introduction of this novel and lifesaving tool, malaria vaccination.

Vertisols are crucial for improving and sustaining food production in Ethiopia. However, due to conventional tillage and waterlogging, the great potential of Vertisols in the study area has been underutilized. Different tillage practices combined with planting techniques play a significant positive role in improving crop yield in high-rainfall areas. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of tillage practices and planting techniques on the productivity of sesame and sorghum in Metema experimental site, in northwestern lowlands of Ethiopia. The experiment was conducted with three replications and six treatments described as: permanent raised bed with minimum tillage (PRB + MT), permanent raised bed with minimum tillage, and mulch (PRB + MT + M), broad bed furrow (BBF), flatbed with minimum tillage and mulch (Flat + MT + M), flatbed with minimum tillage (Flat + MT) and control. The results indicated that the soil moisture content was significantly higher in control (40.77–43.56 %) and flatbeds compared with BBF (39.30–40.39 %) and PRB + MT + M treatments. The bulk density of the soil and organic carbon levels showed significant variations between treatments. The highest bulk density was observed in the control (1.29 Mg m−3) than in PRB + MT (1.12 Mg m−3). In this regard, the highest seed yield of sesame (1138.52 kg ha−1) and grain yield of sorghum (5456.90 kg ha−1) were obtained from BBF and PRB + MT + M respectively. Inversely, the lowest seed yield of sesame (778.77 kg ha−1) and grain yield of sorghum (4052.7 kg ha−1) were obtained from the control plot. Therefore, to improve the productivity of sesame and sorghum, the preparation of BBF and PRB + MT + M should be taken into account.

Objective: Prevention of pressure injuries (PI) is a public health issue. Among the preventive measures, the use of support surfaces adapted to the risk of PI occurrence is recommended. This study aimed to report the incidence of PIs in patients at medium-to-high risk of occurrence of PIs and using a new non-motorised automated decompression air mattress combined with other recommended PI prevention measures. Method: An observational, national, multicentre, prospective, non-comparative study, with a follow-up period of 35 days was conducted. Patients at medium-to-high risk of PIs and without PIs at baseline were included if they were lying on a specific non-powered automated decompression air mattress. The primary outcome was the percentage of patients who developed at least one category 2 or more severe PI of the sacrum, backbone or heel between day 0 and day 35. Results: In total, 81 patients were included from four participating centres. There was one report of a patient with a PI that fitted within the definition of the primary outcome, meaning an incidence of 1.2% (95% confidence interval (CI) 0–6.7%). More than 80% of patients rated the overall comfort and the stability of the non-motorised automated decompression air mattress as satisfactory or very satisfactory. In more than 80% of cases, the healthcare teams found the use of the mattress to be easy or very easy. Conclusion: This study has shown that in combination with other preventive measures, the use of a specific non-motorised air mattress with automated decompression is associated with a low incidence of PIs in patients with medium-to-high risk of occurrence of PIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To provide analysis and commentary on Australian state/territory child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS) expenditure, inpatient and ambulatory structure and key performance indicators. Method: Data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare and the Australian Bureau of Statistics were descriptively analysed. Results: Between 2015–16 and 2019–20, overall CAMHS expenditure increased by an average annual rate of 3.6%. Per capita expenditure increased at a higher rate than for other subspeciality services. CAMHS admissions had a higher cost per patient day, shorter length of stay, higher readmission rate and lower rates of significant improvement. Adolescents aged 12–17 had high community CAMHS utilisation, based on proportion of population coverage and number of service contacts. CAMHS outpatient outcomes were similar to other age-groups. There were high rates of 'Mental disorder not otherwise specified', depression and adjustment/stress-related disorders as principal diagnoses in community CAMHS episodes. Conclusions: CAMHS inpatient admissions had lower rates of significant improvement and higher 14-day readmission rates than other ages. Australia's young population had a high outpatient CAMHS contact rate. Evidence-based modelling of CAMHS providers and outcomes may inform future service improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present article represents a psychoanalytic reading not only of Ingmar Bergman's film The Hour of the Wolf/ Vargtimmen (1968), but also of Bergman's personal hour of the wolf, related to an inner pain, to an atmospheric silence and to the irreducible scar of anxiety. On the other hand, the article presents the expressionistic influences of the German school on the creation of the Swedish director, regarding the terror of the artist, the adventure of light and whiteness, the somnambulism, the soul and its double - the shadow, and so on. The nightmare of the main character Johan Borg starts with his visit to the von Merkens family: the members of this strange family can represent projections of his own psychotic reactions - cannibals, ghosts, vampires, living dead, parasites, spiders. In this context, the bed where Johan meets his "perfect" lover, Veronica Vogler, integrates a binary topos of agony and raw sexuality, a pietà and also a lying-in state of the corpse which allows the ovation and the consumption of the breath of the deceased by the participants. Ultimately, the bed hides the dramatization and the voyeurism of the self. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Home health monitoring has the potential to improve outpatient management of chronic cardiopulmonary diseases such as heart failure. However, it is often limited by the need for adherence to self-measurement, charging and self-application of wearables, or usage of apps. Here, we describe a non-contact, adherence-independent sensor, that when placed beneath the legs of a patient's home bed, longitudinally monitors total body weight, detailed respiratory signals, and ballistocardiograms for months, without requiring any active patient participation. Accompanying algorithms separate weight and respiratory signals when the bed is shared by a partner or a pet. Validation studies demonstrate quantitative equivalence to commercial sensors during overnight sleep studies. The feasibility of detecting obstructive and central apneas, cardiopulmonary coupling, and the hemodynamic consequences of non-sustained ventricular tachycardia is also established. Real-world durability is demonstrated by 3 months of in-home monitoring in an example patient with heart failure and ischemic cardiomyopathy as he recovers from coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. BedScales is the first sensor to measure adherence-independent total body weight as well as longitudinal cardiopulmonary physiology. As such, it has the potential to create a multidimensional picture of chronic disease, learn signatures of impending hospitalization, and enable optimization of care in the home.

Hospital beds are one of the most critical resources in healthcare institutions. In practice, beds are usually allocated to different departments in advance to accommodate different kinds of patients. Inappropriate decisions in the allocation may lead to the idleness of beds or the high rejection ratio of patients. Hospital managers are under pressure to allocate beds to different departments. High variability in patient arrivals and service times make the allocation problem complex and challenging to solve. To address this problem, a mixed-integer non-linear programming model is formulated, with the objective of minimising the weighted cost of rejecting patients and holding them waiting. To solve this model, a data-driven metamodel simulation optimisation method is proposed, in which metamodels, based on an analytical queuing model and a general function, are proposed and embedded into a general-purpose algorithm Adaptive Hyperbox Algorithm. The metamodels designated for local and global approximation are separately fitted using different sets of simulation observations, which can combine structural information and simulation information, and can provide insightful guidance in solution improvements. A case study is conducted based on the real data collected from a public hospital in Shanghai. Numerical results demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efforts for getting the maximum efficiency from the existing water resources and to implement new projects are getting more attention these days. Determining the flow resistance for the project design and control process in open channels requires sophisticated applications. It is usually essential to be aware of the characteristics of the channel and flow to determine the hydraulic roughness, which represents the resistance of the flow. Hence, empirical calculation and evaluation of the hydraulic roughness will support future design and planning processes. In this study, four different particle sizes (d50= 28mm, 17.5mm, 4mm, and 1.75mm) that were fixed on blocks were used. These particle sizes were then used as the bed covering together with, three different horizontal bed slopes, and flow rates in the experiments to determine the associated Manning roughness, n. During the experiment, Froude number values were examined and it was determined that, in 32 experiments the flow regime can be considered as subcritical. Alternatively, the Lotter method was used to confirm the roughness values obtained by the Manning equation. It was concluded that the roughness values obtained by the selected methods have good concordance with each other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Planning the hospital beds according to population needs is still in focus. Objective: To develop an algorithm for designing the number of beds per hospital and specialty wards according to local needs. Materials and methods: The present study was designed as a retrospective analysis based on hospital utilisation data, demographic data and morbidity recorded by GPs in J2 county, testing the variation in dependent variable (number of beds) due to independent variables, using linear regression analysis. Results: Three models were tested, of which model 3 version 2 was considered the most relevant one, providing a general regression equation for type I hospitals, but also for different hospital wards, taking into account local data regarding morbidity on specialty wards and local demographic data; when uploaded with own data of type I and IV hospitals, the number of beds forecasted by regression equations provided differences in specialty ward bed numbers, comparing with the approved structure. Conclusions: The algorithm for planning the hospital beds on specialty wards provided by the present study can be used to either forecast the structure of hospital beds for new hospitals or redesign the current ones according to the population needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have revealed the importance of short‐term bed‐level change on the long‐term development of intertidal ecosystems. One of the recent advancements in the short‐term bed dynamics observation is the developments of laser‐based surface elevation dynamics (LSED) and acoustic surface elevation dynamics (ASED) sensors. These two sensors are developed to automatically monitor tidally induced bed‐level changes, and their measuring windows are during emergent and submerged periods, respectively. So far, there is no direct comparison or joint application of these two sensors. Therefore, in the current study, we first compare their observation precision in both laboratory and field conditions. Results show that both sensors' measurements are in good agreement with the manual measurements in the flume (R2 > 0.99) and field (R2 ≈ 0.70), indicating the applicability of each sensor in natural environment. Finally, a coupled system (i.e., combining LSED and ASED) is established in a mangrove wetland and both sensors show good agreement with each other (R2 = 0.69). Results also demonstrate that the coupled observation system can well capture the bed‐level change during emergent and submerged conditions, which provides detailed continuous data sets to study the bed‐level dynamics within a tidal cycle. Furthermore, large‐scale monitoring systems can also be established via mobile network module embedded in the sensor, providing real‐time monitoring for bed‐level changes, which is valuable to coastal morphological research and vital for detecting deterioration of coastal ecosystems and the services they provide to be able to apply adaptive management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Annals of Philosophy / Roczniki Filozoficzne is the property of John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Faculty of Philosophy and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)