Suchergebnisse

AbstractThe Flood Estimation Handbook, which was published in 1999, has substantially replaced the Flood Studies Report for design flood estimation in the UK. Although there are substantial differences between the handbook and the report, the philosophy of the rainfall‐runoff method has been retained in the handbook. However, there are differences in the equations that have been used to estimate parameters of the rainfall‐runoff method.This paper provides a comprehensive evaluation of the performance of the Flood Estimation Handbook rainfall‐runoff method for flood‐frequency estimation, using data from eighty‐eight catchments in the UK. The performance is evaluated by reference to the flood quantiles obtained from single‐site frequency analysis, and comparison is made with the performance of the Flood Studies Report methodology. In general terms, the handbook over‐estimates flood quantiles, with respect to (a) those estimated from observed records and (b) the report's quantiles. The paper explores the causes of these over‐estimations and seeks linkages with particular catchment characteristics.

AbstractWater levels in tidal rivers are subject to the influence of both fluvial and tidal factors. The interaction between these factors is rendered more complex in regions affected by typhoons, which typically result in the combined occurrence of heavy rainfall and high sea levels.Previous studies have outlined an analytical approach for calculating design water levels based on dividing the fluvial and tidal series into a typhoon and a non‐typhoon component. This paper illustrates the steps involved in the analytical approach and describes its application to drainage basins in Hong Kong.The approach provides a practical means for calculating design water levels, and is recommended for final design purposes. The results of using the full analysis may be approximated by using a sub‐set of analytical results, and should prove satisfactory for the purposes of outline design.

AbstractThe rising air float technique is a method of river discharge measurement involving the release of air bubbles from a perforated pipe laid across the bed of a river. This paper describes field and laboratory analyses which seek to extend previous work and to assess the potential of the technique as an alternative for conventional methods of spot and continuous gauging.The results have confirmed that the technique is a cheap, accurate and robust alternative to other methods of spot gauging, and is sensitive to the operating pressure, with a value of 10 psi producing an optimum bubble envelope at the surface. A major constraint to the implementation of the technique for continuous monitoring remains the procedure for automatic processing of a photographic image of the bubble envelope.Guidelines are presented for the optimum configuration of equipment for both spot and continuous gauging.

Objectives Analyse the effect of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), a wage-for-employment policy of the Indian Government, on infant malnutrition and delineate the pathways through which MGNREGA affects infant malnutrition. Hypothesis: MGNREGA could reduce infant malnutrition through positive effects on household food security and infant feeding. Method Mixed methods using cross-sectional study and focus group discussions conducted in Dungarpur district, Rajasthan, India. Participants: Infants aged 1 to <12 months and their mothers/caregivers. Final sample 528 households with 1056 participants, response rate 89.6%. Selected households were divided into MGNREGA-households and non-MGNREGA-households based on participation in MGNREGA between August-2010 and September-2011. Outcomes: Infant malnutrition measured using anthropometric indicators - underweight, stunting, and wasting (WHO criteria). Results We included 528 households with 1,056 participants. Out of 528, 281 households took part in MGNREGA between August'10, and September'11. Prevalence of wasting was 39%, stunting 24%, and underweight 50%. Households participating in MGNREGA were less likely to have wasted infants (OR 0·57, 95% CI 0·37–0·89, p = 0·014) and less likely to have underweight infants (OR 0·48, 95% CI 0·30–0·76, p = 0·002) than non-participating households. Stunting did not differ significantly between groups. We did 11 focus group discussions with 62 mothers. Although MGNREGA reduced starvation, it did not provide the desired benefits because of lower than standard wages and delayed payments. Results from path analysis did not support existence of an effect through household food security and infant feeding, but suggested a pathway of effect through low birth-weight. Conclusion Participation in MGNREGA was associated with reduced infant malnutrition possibly mediated indirectly via improved birth-weight rather than by improved infant feeding. Addressing factors such as lack of mothers' knowledge and ...

Objective: To assess the feasibility of establishing a simple maternal morbidity surveillance system in Assam (Indian Obstetric Surveillance System-Assam (IndOSS-Assam)) to investigate the incidence and trends in severe maternal complications. This study presents the surveillance platform of IndOSS-Assam. Design: Four tasks were undertaken: (i) setting up a steering committee; (ii) establishing priorities for the region; (iii) mapping of surveillance sites; (iv) piloting case-notification system in selected centres. Setting: Two government tertiary hospitals in the state. Study population: Pregnant women delivering in the hospitals between March and August 2015. Main outcome measures: Incidence and case fatality rates with 95% confidence intervals. Results: Local stakeholder ownership and a simple uncomplicated anonymous system for case notification were the key strengths of this project. Cases and deaths were reported for six conditions: eclampsia, postpartum haemorrhage, puerperal sepsis, septic abortion, uterine rupture and anaemic heart failure. Among 10,475 women delivering over six months, 402 had one of these conditions and 66 died (case fatality 16%). The incidence of eclampsia was 17 per 1000 deliveries (95%CI=14 to 19), postpartum haemorrhage 11 per 1000 deliveries (95%CI=10 to 13) and anaemic heart failure was 3 per 1000 deliveries (95%CI=2 to 5). For each of the other three conditions, puerperal sepsis, septic abortion and uterine rupture, the incidence rate was 2 per 1000 deliveries. Conclusion: IndOSS-Assam was shown to be a feasible and simple system for ongoing surveillance of maternal morbidity which can be used to monitor the trends in the incidence of specific severe life-threatening conditions during pregnancy.

Objective: To assess the feasibility of establishing a simple maternal morbidity surveillance system in Assam (Indian Obstetric Surveillance System-Assam (IndOSS-Assam)) to investigate the incidence and trends in severe maternal complications. This study presents the surveillance platform of IndOSS-Assam. Design: Four tasks were undertaken: (1) setting up of a steering committee; (2) establishing priorities for the region; (3) mapping of surveillance sites; (4) piloting case-notification systems in selected centres. Setting: Two government tertiary hospitals in the state. Study: population Pregnant women delivering in the hospitals between March and August 2015. Main: outcome measures Incidence and case fatality rates with 95% CIs. Results: Local stakeholder ownership and a simple uncomplicated anonymous system for case notification were the key strengths of this project. Cases and deaths were reported for six conditions: eclampsia, postpartum haemorrhage, puerperal sepsis, septic abortion, uterine rupture and anaemic heart failure. Among 10 475 women delivering over 6 months, 402 had one of these conditions and 66 died (case fatality 16%). The incidence of eclampsia was 17 per 1000 deliveries (95% CI 14 to 19), postpartum haemorrhage was 11 per 1000 deliveries (95% CI 10 to 13) and anaemic heart failure was 3 per 1000 deliveries (95% CI 2 to 5). For each of the other three conditions—puerperal sepsis, septic abortion and uterine rupture—the incidence rate was 2 per 1000 deliveries. Conclusions: IndOSS-Assam was shown to be a feasible and simple system for ongoing surveillance of maternal morbidity that can be used to monitor the trends in the incidence of specific severe life-threatening conditions during pregnancy.

AbstractExperience and knowledge of river‐restoration schemes are generally available at the reach scale. However, there are problems with the application of this knowledge at the scale of large urbanised catchments which relate to understanding the system and predicting the impact of management strategies. This paper considers problems of developing a perceptive and efficient rehabilitation strategy for a large urbanised catchment, with specific reference to the River Tame in the West Midlands. Consideration is given to (a) rainfall‐runoff relationships, (b) assessment of water quality and ecological status, and (c) predicting the impact of various management strategies.

A new EU directive relating to meat inspection for Trichinella, expected to come into force in 2006, imposes important modifications to current legislation. Nevertheless, several issues need more attention. Optimisation of methods, especially concerning sensitivity and digestibility of the meat to be inspected, along with further simplification of the legislation with regard to the number of techniques accepted, is recommended to guarantee that all member states of the EU will be given tools to perform inspection of consumer meat at the same high level. Additionally, there is a need for guidelines and protocols regarding optimal proficiency testing procedures.This paper presents an overview of the current methods for Trichinella meat inspection and their implementation in the EU, listing advantages and disadvantages for each method, including some suggestions for specific points of improvement.