scholarly journals Detection of Vegetation Cover Change in Renewable Energy Development Zones of Southern California Using MODIS NDVI Time Series Analysis, 2000 to 2018

Environments ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin Nghiem ◽  
Christopher Potter ◽  
Rebecca Baiman
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Solar Energy ◽  
Vegetation Cover ◽  
National Park ◽  
Southern California ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Energy Development ◽  
Vegetation Response ◽  
Human Disturbances ◽  
Significant Difference

New solar energy facilities on public lands in the deserts of southern California are being monitored long-term to detect environmental impacts. For this purpose, we have developed a framework for detecting changes in vegetation cover region-wide using greenness index data sets from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite sensor. This study focused on three sites, Joshua Tree National Park (JOTR), Mojave National Preserve (MOJA), and a proximal group of solar energy Development Focus Areas (DFAs). Three MODIS vegetation indices (VIs), the normalized difference (NDVI), enhanced (EVI), and soil-adjusted (SAVI), all at 250-m spatial resolution, were evaluated using the Breaks for Additive Season and Trend (BFAST) methodology to estimate significant time series shifts (“breakpoints”) in green vegetation cover, from February 2000 to May 2018. The sample cross-correlation function with local precipitation records and comparison with timing of wildfires near the study sites for breakpoint density (proportion of area with a breakpoint) showed that NDVI had the strongest response and hence greatest sensitivity to these major disturbances compared to EVI and SAVI, supporting its use over the other VIs for subsequent analysis. Time series of NDVI breakpoint change densities for individual solar energy DFAs did not have a consistent vegetation response following construction. Bootstrap-derived 95% confidence intervals show that the DFAs have significantly larger kurtosis and standard deviation in positive NDVI breakpoint distribution than protected National Park System (NPS) sites, but no significant difference appeared in the negative distribution among all sites. The inconsistent postconstruction NDVI signal and the large number of detected breakpoints across all three sites suggested that the largest shifts in greenness are tied to seasonal and total annual precipitation amounts. Further results indicated that existing site-specific conditions are the main control on vegetation response, mostly driven by the history of human disturbances in DFAs. Although the results do not support persistent breakpoints in solar energy DFAs, future work should seek to establish links between statistical significance and physical significance through ground-based studies to provide a more robust interpretation.

Comparative study of Clinical Characteristics in Patients with Mild and Severe Reflux Esophagitis

2020 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-22
Author(s):  
Melania Macarie ◽  
Simona Maria Bataga ◽  
Monica Pantea ◽  
Razvan Opaschi ◽  
Simona Mocan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Hiatal Hernia ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Erosive Esophagitis ◽  
Male Gender ◽  
Consecutive Series ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Entire Study ◽  
Significant Difference

AbstractObjective: This study aims to determine the correlation between risk factors and erosive esophagitis development.Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study on a consecutive series of 19.672 patients who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy between 01.01.2011-31.12.2017. A total of 3005 patients, diagnosed with erosive esophagitis, were included in the present study and stratified according to Los Angeles classification.Results: During the studied period we found 3005 patients with erosive esophagitis, sex ratio male to female was 1.3/1, the most common forms of esophagitis being grade A and B: 74.54% patients with esophagitis grade A, 14.80% patients with grade B; 5.29% patients were with grade C and 5.35% patients with esophagitis grade D. In severe esophagitis the male predominance was more prevalent (249 males, 71 female), with a sex ratio 3.50/1. The correlation of male gender with severe esophagitis was highly statistically significant (p < 0.0001, OR 2.97; 95% CI 2.25-3.91). Hiatal hernia was diagnosed in 1171 patients, the presence of large hiatal hernias, being an important predictor, with statistical significance (p < 0.0001, OR 3.41; 95% CI 2.22-5.21), for severe esophagitis development. Incidence of Helicobacter pylori infection was 11.51%, in the entire study group, with no statistical significant difference between patients with mild or severe esophagitis (12.02% vs 7.18%).Conclusion: Erosive esophagitis is a frequent disease, the most common forms being grade A and B. Male gender and the presence of hiatal hernia are the most important risk factors for erosive esophagitis development, in our study group.

Criteria positive and criteria negative anaphylaxis, with a focus on undifferentiated somatoform idiopathic anaphylaxis: A review and case series

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (6) ◽  
pp. 436-441 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel A. Rosloff ◽  
Kunal Patel ◽  
Paul J. Feustel ◽  
Jocelyn Celestin
Keyword(s):  
Diagnostic Criteria ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Poor Response ◽  
Response To Treatment ◽  
Fisher Exact Test ◽  
Subjective Symptoms ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Physical Findings ◽  
Idiopathic Anaphylaxis

Background: Undifferentiated somatoform (US) idiopathic anaphylaxis (IA) is considered a psychogenic disorder characterized by a lack of observable physical findings and poor response to treatment. Although failure to diagnose true anaphylaxis can have disastrous consequences, identification of US-IA is crucial to limit unnecessary expenses and use of health care resources. Objective: To better define the presentation and understand the potential relationship between US-IA and underlying psychiatric comorbidities. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 110 visits by 107 patients to our institution for evaluation and management of anaphylaxis over a 1-year period. The patients were classified as having either criteria positive (CP) or criteria negative (CN) anaphylaxis based on whether they met Second National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease/Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network Symposium criteria for the clinical diagnosis of anaphylaxis. Patient characteristics, including objective and subjective signs and symptoms, and the presence of psychiatric diagnoses were collected and analyzed. Statistical significance was assessed by using the Fisher exact test. A literature review of US-IA and other psychogenic forms of anaphylaxis was performed. Results: Patients with CP anaphylaxis were more likely to present with hypotension, wheezing, urticaria, and vomiting than were patients with CN anaphylaxis. The patients with CN anaphylaxis were more likely to present with subjective symptoms of sensory throat tightness or swelling compared with patients with CP anaphylaxis. No significant difference was detected in the prevalence of psychiatric conditions between the two groups. Conclusion: Patients who met previously established diagnostic criteria for anaphylaxis were more likely to present with objective physical findings than those who did not meet criteria for true anaphylaxis. CN patients who presented for treatment of anaphylaxis were more likely to present with subjective symptoms. Formal diagnostic criteria should be used by clinicians when evaluating patients with suspected anaphylaxis.

STUDY CLINICAL FEATURE AND RESULT OF TREATMENT PHACOMORPHIC GLAUCOMA

2015 ◽  
pp. 71-75
Author(s):  
Van Nam Phan ◽  
Ba Ken Tran
Keyword(s):  
Visual Acuity ◽  
Intraocular Pressure ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Corneal Edema ◽  
Clinical Feature ◽  
Anterior Chamber Angle ◽  
Male Population ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Operative Complications ◽  
Before And After

Purpose: Study clinical feature of phacomorphic glaucoma. To evaluate the result of treatment phacomorphic glaucoma. Method: The retrospective, interventional study on 36 cases with phacomorphic glaucoma who underwent treated at Hue Central Hospital from 6/2010 to 6/2011. Standard of research: visual, IOP, before and after surgery, accompanying lesions and post-operative complications. The surgery is considered successful when postoperative IOP less than 21 mmHg. Results: Age 50-59 presented 30.5 percent, ≥ 60 presented 91.7 percent. There was a slight female preponderance (66.7%) compared to the male population (33.3%) which implies a statistically marginally significant difference. However there was no statistical significance difference when compared by the two subgroups. Patient in country presented 61,1% and city presented 38,9%. The duration between the onset of pain and surgery from 0 to < 5 days (77.8%), from 6 to 10 (16.7%) and >10 days presented 5.5%. The preoperative intraocular pressure 35 to 45mmHg (47.2%), 46-55 (30.6%), 56-65 (13.9%) and more than 65 presented 8.3%. The visual acuity preoperation less than 1metre count finger (94.5%), less than 3 metre count finger presented 5.5%. Close anterior chamber angle presented 80.6% and shallow was presented 19.4%. Corneal edema presented 100%, iritis presented 94.4%, dilated pupil larger 5mm presented 83.3%, Synchynea iris and cataract presented 72.2%. ECCE, implantation IOL combined trabeculectomy presented 11.1%, Phaco, implantation IOL combined trabeculectomy presented 69,5%, ECCE implantation IOL presented 5.6%, Phaco, implantation IOL presented 13.8%. Postoperative visual acuity from 1/10 to 5/10 presented 72.2%, no case have VA larger than 5/10. Postoperative 3 months VA 1/10 to 5/10 presented 72.2%, larger VA 5/10 presented 8.3%. Postoperative 3 months intraocular pressure ≤ 21mmHg presented 91.7%, 22 to 24mmHg presented 8.3%, no case have IOP ≥25mmHg. Postoperative edema presented 58.3%, iritis presented 58.3%. Key words: phacomorphic Glaucoma

scholarly journals Does Social Support Affect the Health of the Elderly in Rural China? A Meta-Analysis Approach

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (18) ◽  
pp. 3471 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natuya Zhuori ◽  
Yu Cai ◽  
Yan Yan ◽  
Yu Cui ◽  
Minjuan Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Rural China ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Meta Regression ◽  
The Impact

As the trend of aging in rural China has intensified, research on the factors affecting the health of the elderly in rural areas has become a hot issue. However, the conclusions of existing studies are inconsistent and even contradictory, making it difficult to form constructive policies with practical value. To explore the reasons for the inconsistent conclusions drawn by relevant research, in this paper we constructed a meta-regression database based on 65 pieces of relevant literature published in the past 25 years. For more valid samples to reduce publication bias, we also set the statistical significance of social support to the health of the elderly in rural areas as a dependent variable. Finally, combined with multi-dimensional social support and its implications for the health of the elderly, meta-regression analysis was carried out on the results of 171 empirical studies. The results show that (1) subjective support rather than objective support can have a significant impact on the health of the elderly in rural areas, and there is no significant difference between other dimensions of social support and objective support; (2) the health status of the elderly in rural areas in samples involving western regions is more sensitive to social support than that in samples not involving the western regions; (3) among the elderly in rural areas, social support for the older male elderly is more likely to improve their health than that for the younger female elderly; and (4) besides this, both data sources and econometric models greatly affect the heterogeneity of the effect of social support on the health of the elderly in rural areas, but neither the published year nor the journal is significant. Finally, relevant policies and follow-up studies on the impact of social support on the health of the elderly in rural areas are discussed.

scholarly journals The influence of the Kinesio Taping on selected ultrasonography measurements, and quality of life in patients with rotator cuff lesions

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aneta Bac ◽  
Magdalena Wróbel ◽  
Katarzyna Ogrodzka-Ciechanowicz ◽  
Edyta Michalik ◽  
Anna Ścisłowska-Czarnecka
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Rotator Cuff ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Subacromial Space ◽  
Kinesio Taping ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Rotator Cuff Lesions ◽  
Significant Change

Abstract The assessment of the six-week influence of Kinesio Taping combined with a rehabilitation on selected ultrasonography measurements, the level of disability, and the quality of life in patients with rotator cuff lesions. 60 participants were randomly assigned into a taping group (KT combined with a six-week rehabilitating protocol) and a control group (only rehabilitation protocol). In all patients the following assessments were performed twice: USG, UEFI and NHP questionnaires. In the examination of the subacromial space and the subacromial bursa in the taping group, no statistical significance was observed. A statistically significant change in the thickness of the muscles was obtained only for the thickness of the infraspinatus in the taping group. A statistically significant change was obtained in the assessment of tendinopathy only for the supraspinatus muscle in both groups. Within both groups a statistically significant difference was observed in the average UEFI and NHP scores; however, the differences in the scores obtained between the groups were not statistically significant. The use of KT with a rehabilitation program did not yield statistically significantly better results in the improvement of selected shoulder region indicators, the function of the upper limb and the quality of life.

scholarly journals Introducing intrauterine antibiotic infusion as a novel approach in effectively treating chronic endometritis and restoring reproductive dynamics: a randomized pilot study

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Konstantinos Pantos ◽  
Mara Simopoulou ◽  
Evangelos Maziotis ◽  
Anna Rapani ◽  
Sokratis Grigoriadis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fertility Restoration ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Antibiotic Administration ◽  
Oral Antibiotic ◽  
Treatment Rate ◽  
Chronic Endometritis ◽  
Vitro Fertilization ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Antibiotic Infusion

AbstractThe chronic nature of Chronic Endometritis (CE) along with the challenging management and infertility entailed, call for cutting-edge therapeutic approaches. This study introduces the novel treatment of intrauterine antibiotic infusion (IAI) combined with oral antibiotic administration (OAA), and it assesses respective performance against the gold standard treatment of OAA. Data sourced herein reports on treatment efficiency and fertility restoration for both patients aiming to conceive naturally or via In Vitro fertilization. Eighty CE patients, 40 presenting with recurrent implantation failure, and 40 with recurrent pregnancy loss, were enrolled in the IVF and the natural conception arm respectively. Treatment was subjected to randomization. Effectively treated patients proceeded with either a single IVF cycle or were invited to conceive naturally over a 6-month period. Combination of IAI and OAA provided a statistically significant enhanced effectiveness treatment rate (RR 1.40; 95%CI 1.07–1.82; p = 0.01). No statistically significant difference was observed regarding the side-effects rate (RR 1.33; 95%CI 0.80–2.22; p = 0.52). No statistically significant difference was observed for either arm regarding live-birth rate. Following an intention-to-treat analysis, employment of IAI corresponds to improved clinical pregnancy rate-albeit not reaching statistical significance. In conclusion, complimentary implementation of IAI could provide a statistically significant enhanced clinical treatment outcome.

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