scholarly journals Wildfire prevention through prophylactic treatment of high-risk landscapes using viscoelastic retardant fluids

2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (42) ◽  
pp. 20820-20827 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony C. Yu ◽  
Hector Lopez Hernandez ◽  
Andrew H. Kim ◽  
Lyndsay M. Stapleton ◽  
Reuben J. Brand ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Prophylactic Treatment ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Pilot Scale ◽  
Environmentally Benign ◽  
Fire Season ◽  
Fire Retardants ◽  
Wildfire Management ◽  
Ignition Probability ◽  
Before And After

Polyphosphate fire retardants are a critical tactical resource for fighting fires in the wildland and in the wildland–urban interface. Yet, application of these retardants is limited to emergency suppression strategies because current formulations cannot retain fire retardants on target vegetation for extended periods of time through environmental exposure and weathering. New retardant formulations with persistent retention to target vegetation throughout the peak fire season would enable methodical, prophylactic treatment strategies of landscapes at high risk of wildfires through prolonged prevention of ignition and continual impediment to active flaming fronts. Here we develop a sprayable, environmentally benign viscoelastic fluid comprising biopolymers and colloidal silica to enhance adherence and retention of polyphosphate retardants on common wildfire-prone vegetation. These viscoelastic fluids exhibit appropriate wetting and rheological responses to enable robust retardant adherence to vegetation following spray application. Further, laboratory and pilot-scale burn studies establish that these materials drastically reduce ignition probability before and after simulated weathering events. Overall, these studies demonstrate how these materials actualize opportunities to shift the approach of retardant-based wildfire management from reactive suppression to proactive prevention at the source of ignitions.

Pilot-scale neutralisation of underground mine water

1996 ◽  
Vol 34 (10) ◽  
pp. 141-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. P. Maree ◽  
G. J. van Tonder ◽  
P. Millard ◽  
T. C. Erasmus
Keyword(s):  
Mine Water ◽  
Contact Time ◽  
Pilot Scale ◽  
Underground Water ◽  
Underground Mine ◽  
Economic Feasibility ◽  
Fluidised Bed ◽  
Chemical Composition Of Water ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Time Required

Traditionally acid mine water is neutralised with lime (Ca(OH)2). Limestone (CaCO3) is a cheaper alternative for such applications. This paper describes an investigation aimed at demonstrating that underground mine water can be neutralised with limestone in a fluidised-bed. The contact time required between the limestone and the acid water, chemical composition of water before and after treatment, and economic feasibility of the fluidised bed neutralisation process are determined. A pilot plant with a capacity of 10k1/h was operated continuously underground in a gold mine. The underground water could be neutralised effectively using the limestone process. The pH of the water was increased from less than 3 to more than 7, the alkalinity of the treated water was greater than 120 mg/l (as CaCO3) and the contact time required between mine water and limestone was less than 10 min (the exact contact time depends on the limestone surface area). Chemical savings of 56.4% can be achieved compared to neutralisation with lime.

scholarly journals Transpedal Approach in Failed Antegrade Attempt of Lower Limb Peripheral Arterial Disease—A Review with Different Treatment Strategies

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (03) ◽  
pp. 143-148
Author(s):  
Ranjit Kumar Nath ◽  
Siva Subramaniyan ◽  
Neeraj Pandit ◽  
Deepankar Vatsa
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Peripheral Arterial Disease ◽  
Femoral Artery ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Arterial Disease ◽  
Retrograde Approach ◽  
Femoral Access ◽  
Antegrade Approach ◽  
Peripheral Arterial

AbstractTranspedal access is an evolving technique primarily used in patients after failed femoral antegrade approach to revascularize complex tibiopedal lesions. In patients who are at high risk for surgery the transpedal access may be the only option in failed antegrade femoral access to avoid amputation of the limbs. In recent years transpedal access is used routinely to revascularize supra-popliteal lesions due to more success and less complications over femoral artery approach. Retrograde approach parse will not give success in all cases and importantly success depends on techniques used. There are different techniques that need to be used depending on lesion characteristics, comorbidities, and hardware available to improve success with less complications. This review provides different strategies for successful treatment of iliac and femoral artery lesions by transpedal approach after failed antegrade femoral attempt.

scholarly journals Understanding the Impact of Different Landscape-Level Fuel Management Strategies on Wildfire Hazard in Central Portugal

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 522
Author(s):  
Akli Benali ◽  
Ana C. L. Sá ◽  
João Pinho ◽  
Paulo M. Fernandes ◽  
José M. C. Pereira
Keyword(s):  
Management Strategies ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Fire Season ◽  
Burned Area ◽  
Treatment Area ◽  
Fuel Treatment ◽  
The North ◽  
Wildfire Hazard ◽  
Central Portugal ◽  
The Impact

The extreme 2017 fire season in Portugal led to widespread recognition of the need for a paradigm shift in forest and wildfire management. We focused our study on Alvares, a parish in central Portugal located in a fire-prone area, which had 60% of its area burned in 2017. We evaluated how different fuel treatment strategies may reduce wildfire hazard in Alvares through (i) a fuel break network with different extents corresponding to different levels of priority and (ii) random fuel treatments resulting from a potential increase in stand-level management intensity. To assess this, we developed a stochastic wildfire simulation system (FUNC-SIM) that integrates uncertainties in fuel distribution over the landscape. If the landscape remains unchanged, Alvares will have large burn probabilities in the north, northeast and center-east areas of the parish that are very often associated with high fireline intensities. The different fuel treatment scenarios decreased burned area between 12.1–31.2%, resulting from 1–4.6% increases in the annual treatment area and reduced the likelihood of wildfires larger than 5000 ha by 10–40%. On average, simulated burned area decreased 0.22% per each ha treated, and cost-effectiveness decreased with increasing area treated. Overall, both fuel treatment strategies effectively reduced wildfire hazard and should be part of a larger, holistic and integrated plan to reduce the vulnerability of the Alvares parish to wildfires.

Seasonal Impact of Phosphate-Based Fire Retardants on Soil Chemistry Following the Prophylactic Treatment of Vegetation

2021 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
pp. 2316-2323
Author(s):  
Anthony C. Yu ◽  
Mac Reinhart ◽  
Rachel Hunter ◽  
Katie Lu ◽  
Caitlin L. Maikawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Chemistry ◽  
Prophylactic Treatment ◽  
Fire Retardants ◽  
Seasonal Impact

scholarly journals Audio-guided self-hypnosis for reduction of claustrophobia during MR imaging: results of an observational 2-group study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adriane E. Napp ◽  
Torsten Diekhoff ◽  
Olf Stoiber ◽  
Judith Enders ◽  
Gerd Diederichs ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Mr Imaging ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Waiting Room ◽  
High Risk Patients ◽  
Imaging Results ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Risk Patients ◽  
And Coping

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the influence of audio-guided self-hypnosis on claustrophobia in a high-risk cohort undergoing magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Methods In this prospective observational 2-group study, 55 patients (69% female, mean age 53.6 ± 13.9) used self-hypnosis directly before imaging. Claustrophobia included premature termination, sedation, and coping actions. The claustrophobia questionnaire (CLQ) was completed before self-hypnosis and after MR imaging. Results were compared to a control cohort of 89 patients examined on the same open MR scanner using logistic regression for multivariate analysis. Furthermore, patients were asked about their preferences for future imaging. Results There was significantly fewer claustrophobia in the self-hypnosis group (16%; 9/55), compared with the control group (43%; 38/89; odds ratio .14; p = .001). Self-hypnosis patients also needed less sedation (2% vs 16%; 1/55 vs 14/89; odds ratio .1; p = .008) and non-sedation coping actions (13% vs 28%; 7/55 vs 25/89; odds ratio .3; p = .02). Self-hypnosis did not influence the CLQ results measured before and after MR imaging (p = .79). Self-hypnosis reduced the frequency of claustrophobia in the subgroup of patients above an established CLQ cut-off of .33 from 47% (37/78) to 18% (9/49; p = .002). In the subgroup below the CLQ cut-off of 0.33, there were no significant differences (0% vs 9%, 0/6 vs 1/11; p = 1.0). Most patients (67%; 35/52) preferred self-hypnosis for future MR examinations. Conclusions Self-hypnosis reduced claustrophobia in high-risk patients undergoing imaging in an open MR scanner and might reduce the need for sedation and non-sedation coping actions. Key Points • Forty percent of the patients at high risk for claustrophobia may also experience a claustrophobic event in an open MR scanner. • Self-hypnosis while listening to an audio in the waiting room before the examination may reduce claustrophobic events in over 50% of patients with high risk for claustrophobia. • Self-hypnosis may also reduce the need for sedation and other time-consuming non-sedation coping actions and is preferred by high-risk patients for future examinations.

scholarly journals Navigating the Wildfire–Pandemic Interface: Public Perceptions of COVID-19 and the 2020 Wildfire Season in Arizona

Fire ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 41
Author(s):  
Catrin M. Edgeley ◽  
Jack T. Burnett
Keyword(s):  
Risk Mitigation ◽  
Public Perceptions ◽  
Fire Season ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Wildland Urban Interface ◽  
Wildfire Management ◽  
Wildfire Risk ◽  
Close Proximity ◽  
Literature Highlight ◽  
Wildfire Season

COVID-19 has complicated wildfire management and public safety for the 2020 fire season. It is unclear whether COVID-19 has impacted the ability of residents in the wildland–urban interface to prepare for and evacuate from wildfire, or the extent to which residents feel their household’s safety has been affected. Several areas with high wildfire risk are also experiencing record numbers of COVID-19 cases, including the state of Arizona in the southwestern United States. We conducted a mixed-mode survey of households in close proximity to two recent wildfires in rural Arizona to better understand whether residents living in the wildland–urban interface perceive COVID-19 as a factor in wildfire safety. Preliminary data suggest that the current challenges around collective action to address wildfire risk may be further exacerbated due to COVID-19, and that the current pandemic has potentially widened existing disparities in household capacity to conduct wildfire risk mitigation activities in the wildland–urban interface. Proactive planning for wildfire has also increased perceived ability to practice safe distancing from others during evacuation, highlighting the benefits that household planning for wildfire can have on other concurrent hazards. Parallels in both the wildfire and pandemic literature highlight vast opportunities for future research that can expand upon and advance our findings.

scholarly journals Temporal Quantitative Proteomics Analysis of Neuroblastoma Cells Treated with Bovine Milk-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Highlights the Anti-Proliferative Properties of Milk-Derived Extracellular Vesicles

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 750
Author(s):  
Pamali Fonseka ◽  
Taeyoung Kang ◽  
Sing Chee ◽  
Sai V. Chitti ◽  
Rahul Sanwlani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Extracellular Vesicles ◽  
Quantitative Proteomics ◽  
Cell Metabolism ◽  
Bovine Milk ◽  
Neuroblastoma Cells ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Treatment Resistance ◽  
Label Free ◽  
The Impact

Neuroblastoma (NBL) is a pediatric cancer that accounts for 15% of childhood cancer mortality. Amplification of the oncogene N-Myc occurs in 20% of NBL patients and is considered high risk as it correlates with aggressiveness, treatment resistance and poor prognosis. Even though the treatment strategies have improved in the recent years, the survival rate of high-risk NBL patients remain poor. Hence, it is crucial to explore new therapeutic avenues to sensitise NBL. Recently, bovine milk-derived extracellular vesicles (MEVs) have been proposed to contain anti-cancer properties. However, the impact of MEVs on NBL cells is not understood. In this study, we characterised MEVs using Western blotting, NTA and TEM. Importantly, treatment of NBL cells with MEVs decreased the proliferation and increased the sensitivity of NBL cells to doxorubicin. Temporal label-free quantitative proteomics of NBL cells highlighted the depletion of proteins involved in cell metabolism, cell growth and Wnt signalling upon treatment with MEVs. Furthermore, proteins implicated in cellular senescence and apoptosis were enriched in NBL cells treated with MEVs. For the first time, this study highlights the temporal proteomic profile that occurs in cancer cells upon MEVs treatment.

A Case–Control Study Evaluating the Impact of Dedicated Palliative Care Training on Critical Care Interventions at the end of Life

2021 ◽  
pp. 082585972110374
Author(s):  
Jee Y. You ◽  
Lie D. Ligasaputri ◽  
Adarsh Katamreddy ◽  
Kiran Para ◽  
Elizabeth Kavanagh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Critical Care ◽  
High Risk ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
Poor Prognosis ◽  
Medical Interventions ◽  
Risk Of Death ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The Impact

Many patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) are at high risk of dying. We hypothesize that focused training sessions for ICU providers by palliative care (PC) certified experts will decrease aggressive medical interventions at the end of life. We designed and implemented a 6-session PC training program in communication skills and goals of care (GOC) meetings for ICU teams, including house staff, critical care fellows, and attendings. We then reviewed charts of ICU patients treated before and after the intervention. Forty-nine of 177 (28%) and 63 of 173 (38%) patients were identified to be at high risk of death in the pre- and postintervention periods, respectively, and were included based on the study criteria. Inpatient mortality (45% vs 33%; P = .24) and need for mechanical ventilation (59% vs 44%, P = .13) were slightly higher in the preintervention population, but the difference was not statistically significant. The proportion of patients in whom the decision not to initiate renal replacement therapy was made because of poor prognosis was significantly higher in the postintervention population (14% vs 67%, P = .05). There was a nonstatistically significant trend toward earlier GOC discussions (median time from ICU admission to GOC 4 vs 3 days) and fewer critical care interventions such as tracheostomies (17% vs 4%, P = .19). Our study demonstrates that directed PC training of ICU teams has a potential to reduce end of life critical care interventions in patients with a poor prognosis.

Musical Performance Anxiety and the High-risk Model of Threat Perception

2000 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 65-71
Author(s):  
Marcie Zinn ◽  
Claudia McCain ◽  
Mark Zinn
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Social Desirability ◽  
Pain Perception ◽  
Risk Model ◽  
Performance Anxiety ◽  
Threat Perception ◽  
Stage Fright ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Before And After

Fourteen music majors were tested using the high-risk model of threat perception (HRMTP), a biopsychosocial model designed to diagnose and guide treatment of stress-related somatic disorders. Regression analysis revealed that negative affect, social desirability, peripheral vasoconstriction, and “catastrophizing” predicted state anxiety scores after jury performance (p ≤ 0.041). A significant difference in hand temperature before and after jury performance was also found (p ≤ 0.01). Social desirability scores were inversely correlated with negative affect and catastrophizing scores (p ≤ 0.01). These results are consistent with predictions from the HRMTP, which predicts that people high in either overt or covert negative affect and catastrophizing are at greater risk for psychophysiological disorders than normals. The model also predicts that people who are high in social desirability (repressors) are likewise at risk because of inhibited pain perception. Since performance anxiety has been discussed by several authors as a psychophysiological event, implicating the role of the autonomic nervous system in the initiation and maintenance of stage fright, this model may provide a new pathway into the understanding of stage fright.

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