Bilingual Publishing Co. (BPC): E-Journals
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Effects of Locations of Spur Dyke on Bed and Scour around Bridge Piers in Meandering Channel
No full textSpur dykes are the structures which are used to protect the eroding bank of rivers. They are sometimes also used to safeguard the life of many structures such as bridge piers, abutments etc. The efficiency of spur dykes has been checked in straight channels by conducting model tests in laboratories by many investigators. Very few studies were done in curved channels. In present work an attempt has been made to study the effect of location of spur dyke on bed and scour around bridge pier in curved open channel (bend angle = 80o ) with time. Experiment has been carried out in 80o channel bend at constant discharge (3.5×10–3 m3 /s) and bridge pier is located at angular displacement ϴ = 60o . Here ϴ is the angle the line drawn at the inlet of any bend to the line joining the centre of curvature and any point on the outer portion of the bend. It is found that maximum scouring occurs at ϴ = 0o and 20o along inner wall and at ϴ = 60o and 80o along outer wall. It is also found that scouring around bridge pier is more in the vicinity of pier and decreases with increase in distance from pier. The most suitable location for spur dyke to protect bridge pier is at angular displacement ϴ = 20o . Scour developed rapidly during initial time and then rate of scouring decreases with elapse of time
Efficient Feature Selection and ML Algorithm for Accurate Diagnostics
No full textMachine learning algorithms have been deployed in numerous optimization, prediction and classification problems. This has endeared them for application in fields such as computer networks and medical diagnosis. Although these machine learning algorithms achieve convincing results in these fields, they face numerous challenges when deployed on imbalanced dataset. Consequently, these algorithms are often biased towards majority class, hence unable to generalize the learning process. In addition, they are unable to effectively deal with high-dimensional datasets. Moreover, the utilization of conventional feature selection techniques from a dataset based on attribute significance render them ineffective for majority of the diagnosis applications. In this paper, feature selection is executed using the more effective Neighbour Components Analysis (NCA). During the classification process, an ensemble classifier comprising of K-Nearest Neighbours (KNN), Naive Bayes (NB), Decision Tree (DT) and Support Vector Machine (SVM) is built, trained and tested. Finally, cross validation is carried out to evaluate the developed ensemble model. The results shows that the proposed classifier has the best performance in terms of precision, recall, F-measure and classification accuracy
Person-centered Care for Institutionalized Older Adults in the Context of the Covid-19 Pandemic in Brazil
No full textObjective: This study aims to discuss the caregiving practices developed by Long-term Care Facilities (LTCFs) during the COVID-19 pandemic and analyze the daily care practices in long-term institutions for older adults in Brazil, all in light of the PCC framework. Methods: This is a mixed methods study in which data were collected through interviews with managers from 10 LTCFs. The qualitative discussion was carried out through the PCC framework divided into 5 categories: leisure, accommodation, food, hygiene and comfort, and clinical care. The quantitative data collected were analyzed in a descriptive way, being discussed in the light of the literature. Results: Analyzed LTCFs are unaware of our present difficulties in the implementation of PCC, with a greater presence of the traditional biomedical model being recognized. Given the vulnerabilities that the LTCFs present, PCC is an important alternative for LTCFs to promote the quality of life and autonomy of residents. Deconstructing the vision of LTCFs as a last resort of care and investing in the quality of care is an urgent and essential imperative for dignified and comprehensive care. Conclusions: This study highlights the need for a change in culture and understanding of the LTCFs not only as a place to provide healthcare, but also as a residents’ home that fosters their autonomy, and feeling of belonging. Thus, it is essential to ensure that healthcare teams in LTCFs know about PCC and that further studies investigate the impact on the costs of PCC for institutionalized older adults
Late life vascular risk factors and their association with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease
No full textBackground : Epidemiological studies have demonstrated associations between higher levels of vascular risk factors in midlife and later development of dementia, particularly Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, in elderly subjects with dementia, some studies have shown that these associations may decrease or even reverse. Therefore , our study aimed to find the association between late life cardiovascular risk factors and neurodegenerative dementia in general and AD in particular. Methods :It is a retrospective case control study using electronic medical records that included elderly patients that were reviewed in Ahmadi hospital geriatric clinic , Kuwait , from the period of 1/7/2019 to 1/2/2020. Two hundred and three (203) elderly patients with neurodegenerative dementia (study group) were recruited for this retrospective study and compared to two hundred and one (201) controls with normal cognition for the presence of vascular risk factors.Results :The study included 404 subjects .Age ranged from 60 to 107 years (mean age 78.79, ± 8.13 SD). AD was found to be the most prevalent type of dementia in the study group , as 49.3 % (100/203) of the demented patients were diagnosed with AD. No significant statistical association was found between vascular risk factors and dementia (P>0.05) , except for obesity which showed negative association (P<0.001). Regarding AD , no statistical significance was found between AD and diabetes, hyperlipidemia, smoking nor atrial fibrillation. On the other hand, we found obesity and hypertension more prevalent in the normal cognition group (negative association with P value <0.001,0.05 respectively). Conclusion : The results of our study support an emerging concept that, while elevated levels of vascular risk factors in midlife increase the risk of development of dementia and AD later in life, once dementia begins , these associations may be diminished or reversed in the elderly
Machine Learning and Regression Analysis Reveal Different Patterns of Influence on Net Ecosystem Exchange at Two Conifer Woodland Sites
No full textVariations in net ecosystem exchange (NEE) of carbon dioxide, and the variables influencing it, at woodland sites over multiple years determine the long term performance of those sites as carbon sinks. In this study, weekly-averaged data from two AmeriFlux sites in North America of evergreen woodland, in different climatic zones and with distinct tree and understory species, are evaluated using four multi-linear regression (MLR) and seven machine learning (ML) models. The site data extend over multiple years and conform to the FLUXNET2015 pre-processing pipeline. Twenty influencing variables are considered for site CA-LP1 and sixteen for site US-Mpj. Rigorous k-fold cross validation analysis verifies that all eleven models assessed generate reproducible NEE predictions to varying degrees of accuracy. At both sites, the best performing ML models (support vector regression (SVR), extreme gradient boosting (XGB) and multi-layer perceptron (MLP)) substantially outperform the MLR models in terms of their NEE prediction performance. The ML models also generate predicted versus measured NEE distributions that approximate cross-plot trends passing through the origin, confirming that they more realistically capture the actual NEE trend. MLR and ML models assign some level of importance to all influential variables measured but their degree of influence varies between the two sites. For the best performing SVR models, at site CA-LP1, variables air temperature, shortwave radiation outgoing, net radiation, longwave radiation outgoing, shortwave radiation incoming and vapor pressure deficit have the most influence on NEE predictions. At site US-Mpj, variables vapor pressure deficit, shortwave radiation incoming, longwave radiation incoming, air temperature, photosynthetic photon flux density incoming, shortwave radiation outgoing and precipitation exert the most influence on the model solutions. Sensible heat exerts very low influence at both sites. The methodology applied successfully determines the relative importance of influential variables in determining weekly NEE trends at both conifer woodland sites studied
Butterfly Diversity in Relation to Human-Impact Gradient in Outskirts of Kolkata, West Bengal, India
No full textAnthropogenic activities may affect species diversity and community structure. Butterfly species diversity in relation to human-impact gradient was evaluated in the Baruipur subdivision, outskirts of Kolkata metropolis, West Bengal, India as a model geographic area. Four study sites situated in bird sanctuaries, rural, suburban and urban areas with different levels of anthropogenic disturbances were selected to assess the human impact on butterfly diversity. A total of 80 butterfly species were recorded during the entire study period with the sanctuary (with minimal anthropogenic disturbance) showing the highest species richness (73) followed by rural (62), suburban (54) and urban (36) study sites indicating a strong negative impact of anthropogenic disturbance on butterfly species diversity. Butterfly species diversity varied significantly among different habitats (p ˂ 0.001). The relative abundance of butterflies also varied seasonally. It is apparent that the area under the present study is able to sustain diverse butterfly species provided natural habitats are protected from anthropogenic disturbances and steps are taken to increase urban greenery to support butterfly diversity and consequent ecosystem services
Metamorphic Evolution of the Amphibolites from Bundelkhand Craton, Central India: P-T Constraints and Phase Equilibrium Modelling
No full textThe amphibolites from the Mauranipur and Babina regions are located in the central part of the Bundelkhand Craton (BuC), northern India. During the geodynamic evolution of the BuC, these amphibolites underwent medium-grade metamorphism. This study combines textural observations of amphibolites from two distinct regions (Mauranipur and Babina) with mineral chemistry and phase equilibrium modelling. Observations suggest that the amphibolites of both areas have gone through three stages of metamorphism. The pre-peak stage in the amphibolites from the Mauranipur and Babina regions is marked by the assemblages Ep-Amp Cpx-Pl-Ilm-Ru-Qz and Ep-Amp-Cpx-Pl-Ab-Ilm-Qz respectively; the peak metamorphic stage is characterized by the mineral assemblages Amp-CpxPl-Ilm-Ru-Qz and Amp-Cpx-Pl-Ilm-Qz-H2O, which is formed during the burial process, and the post-peak stage is represented by the assemblages Amp-Pl-Ilm-Ru-Qz and Amp-Pl-Ilm-Qz-H2O respectively, which is formed by exhumation event. By applying the phase equilibria modelling in the NCFMASHTO system, the P-T conditions estimated from pre-peak, peak to post-peak stages are characterized as 6.7 kbar/510 ºC, 7.3 kbar/578 ºC and > 3.0 kbar/> 585 ºC, respectively, for the Mauranipur amphibolites; and 6.27 kbar/520 ºC, 5.2 kbar/805 ºC and > 3.0 kbar/> 640 ºC respectively for Babina amphibolites. The textural association and P-T conditions of both amphibolites suggest that these rocks were affected by burial metamorphism followed by an exhumation process during subduction tectonism in the BuC
Impedance, What It Is, How It Is Measured, and Why It Is Needed
No full textImpedance is the basic concept and quantity when measuring an electromagnetic field near the earth’s surface. It is shown how the antennas of the IPI device are oriented, and how the coordinate system is set. It is established why the phase difference of the electromagnetic field component is limited to the limits from zero to minus ninety degrees. The introduction of the basic electrophysical characteristics of a continuous medium - dielectric constant and electrical conductivity - is considered. For a homogeneous medium, the dependence of impedance on electrophysical quantities is given. The Riccati equation for impedance is given. Not only the horizontal arrangement of the electrical cable is considered, but also the vertical one. The latter allows you to explore the electrical parameters of the media
The Comparative Study on the Management Mode of the Street Vending in Hong Kong and Singapore
No full textStreet vending, one of the crucial livelihoods of poorer sections, persists in all cities; meanwhile, it brings increased social costs, like traffic congestion and public health, which becomes one of the main challenges of urban public space management. Adopted by the desk-and-computer research method, this paper would analyze the management measures of hawkers in Hong Kong and Singapore from a comparative perspective. It, therefore, suggests that city administrations need to safeguard the rights of hawkers and adopt a more people-oriented management style, so as to pursue a more inclusive urban ecology