Unilateral urinary flow impairment at the pelviureteral junction: outcome of renal function with respect to therapeutic strategy.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the renal function outcome in children with unilateral hydronephrosis and urinary flow impairment at the pelviureteral junction with respect to the therapeutic strategy. METHODS: We retrospectively selected 45 children with iodine-123-hippuran renography performed at diagnosis and after 3 or more years of follow-up. All children had bilateral nonobstructive pattern findings on diuretic renography at follow-up. Eleven children were treated conservatively, and 34 underwent unilateral pyeloplasty. Split and individual renal function, measured by an accumulation index, was computed from background-corrected renograms for the affected and contralateral kidneys at diagnosis and the follow-up examination. RESULTS: Of 11 children treated conservatively, 9 had normal bilateral function at diagnosis, all had reached normal function at follow-up. Of the 34 operated kidneys, 12 (38%) had initially normal function that remained normal at the follow-up examination, and 22 had impaired function that had normalized at the follow-up examination in 15 (68%). The function of the contralateral kidneys was increased in 5 of 8 children with persistently abnormal affected kidneys. Pyeloplasty was performed in 23 children (68%) and 11 children (32%) younger and older than 1 year, respectively. The function of the affected kidneys increased in both groups, but normalization occurred only in the younger children. CONCLUSIONS: Of the children selected for conservative treatment, 82% had normal bilateral renal function at diagnosis that was normal in all at the follow-up examination. Of the children treated surgically, 65% had initially impaired function of the affected kidney that improved in 87% after pyeloplasty. Normalization of function was observed only in children who were younger than 1 year old at surgery. Persistently low function of the affected kidney was compensated for by the contralateral one regardless of the age at surgery.

Digital soil mapping: strategy for data pre-processing

The region of greatest variability on soil maps is along the edge of their polygons, causing disagreement among pedologists about the appropriate description of soil classes at these locations. The objective of this work was to propose a strategy for data pre-processing applied to digital soil mapping (DSM). Soil polygons on a training map were shrunk by 100 and 160 m. This strategy prevented the use of covariates located near the edge of the soil classes for the Decision Tree (DT) models. Three DT models derived from eight predictive covariates, related to relief and organism factors sampled on the original polygons of a soil map and on polygons shrunk by 100 and 160 m were used to predict soil classes. The DT model derived from observations 160 m away from the edge of the polygons on the original map is less complex and has a better predictive performance.

Life-course socioeconomic environment and health risk behaviours: a multilevel small-area analysis of young-old persons in an urban neighbourhood in Lausanne, Switzerland

With a life expectancy at the age of 65 of around 20 years, damaging health risk behaviours of young-old adults have become a target for preventive actions. Such risk factors necessitate an accurate understanding of the present and past socioeconomic conditions associated with health risk behaviours. The aim of our study is to assess the impact of certain life events as well as economic and environmental factors on health risk behaviours. We included 1309 participants of the Lausanne Cohort Lc65+ aged 65-70 years and employed logistic regression analyses, with individuals nested within areas. The results illustrate the influences of socioeconomic factors from childhood to young-old age. Life experiences in adulthood and economic resources in young-old age are both associated with unfavourable health behaviours. Neighbourhood is a modest determinant as well, particularly regarding alcohol consumption. Therefore, prevention against health risk behaviours should focus on population subgroups defined on the basis of their socioeconomic and living contexts.

Long-Term Community Recovery Strategy, Waverly, IA, December 2008

Long-Term Community Recovery Targeted Technical Assistance Strategy is an outcome of the coordinated effort of the city, Rebuild Iowa Office and Federal Emergency Management Agency Emergency Support Function. In partnership with City officials and RIO and informed by community outreach efforts, provided Targeted Technical Assistance to the community. This support helped the community identify and provide visibility to recovery issues, needs and opportunities that when addressed can result in a more effective long-term recovery for the community.

Long-Term Community Recovery Strategy, Iowa City, IA, December 2008

Long-Term Community Recovery Targeted Technical Assistance Strategy is an outcome of the coordinated effort of the city, Rebuild Iowa Office and Federal Emergency Management Agency Emergency Support Function. In partnership with City officials and RIO and informed by community outreach efforts, provided Targeted Technical Assistance to the community. This support helped the community identify and provide visibility to recovery issues, needs and opportunities that when addressed can result in a more effective long-term recovery for the community.

Long-Term Community Recovery Strategy, New Hartford, IA, December 2008

Long-Term Community Recovery Targeted Technical Assistance Strategy is an outcome of the coordinated effort of the city, Rebuild Iowa Office and Federal Emergency Management Agency Emergency Support Function. In partnership with City officials and RIO and informed by community outreach efforts, provided Targeted Technical Assistance to the community. This support helped the community identify and provide visibility to recovery issues, needs and opportunities that when addressed can result in a more effective long-term recovery for the community.

Long-Term Community Recovery Strategy, Palo, IA, December 2008

Long-Term Community Recovery Targeted Technical Assistance Strategy is an outcome of the coordinated effort of the city, Rebuild Iowa Office and Federal Emergency Management Agency Emergency Support Function. In partnership with City officials and RIO and informed by community outreach efforts, provided Targeted Technical Assistance to the community. This support helped the community identify and provide visibility to recovery issues, needs and opportunities that when addressed can result in a more effective long-term recovery for the community.

Strategy of specification of management areas: rice grain yield as related to soil fertility

It is well-known nowadays that soil variability can influence crop yields. Therefore, to determine specific areas of soil management, we studied the Pearson and spatial correlations of rice grain yield with organic matter content and pH of an Oxisol (Typic Acrustox) under no- tillage, in the 2009/10 growing season, in Selvíria, State of Mato Grosso do Sul, in the Brazilian Cerrado (longitude 51º24' 21'' W, latitude 20º20' 56'' S). The upland rice cultivar IAC 202 was used as test plant. A geostatistical grid was installed for soil and plant data collection, with 120 sampling points in an area of 3.0 ha with a homogeneous slope of 0.055 m m-1. The properties rice grain yield and organic matter content, pH and potential acidity and aluminum content were analyzed in the 0-0.10 and 0.10-0.20 m soil layers. Spatially, two specific areas of agricultural land management were discriminated, differing in the value of organic matter and rice grain yield, respectively with fertilization at variable rates in the second zone, a substantial increase in agricultural productivity can be obtained. The organic matter content was confirmed as a good indicator of soil quality, when spatially correlated with rice grain yield.

Physiological traits affecting the distribution and wintering strategy of the bat Tadarida teniotis

The ability to enter torpor at low ambient temperature, which enables insectivorous bats to survive seasonal food shortage, is often seen as a prerequisite for colonizing cold environments. Free-tailed bats (Molossidae) show a distribution with a maximum latitudinal extension that appears to be intermediate between truly tropical and temperate-zone bat families. We therefore tested the hypothesis that Tadarida teniotis, the molossid species reaching the highest latitude worldwide (46 degrees N), lacks the extreme physiological adaptations to cold that enable other sympatric bats to enter further into the temperate zone. We studied the metabolism of individuals subjected to various ambient temperatures in the laboratory by respirometry, and we monitored the body temperature of free-ranging individuals in winter and early spring in the Swiss Alps using temperature-sensitive radio-tags. For comparison, metabolic data were obtained from Nyctalus noctula, a typically hibernating vespertilionid bat of similar body size and convergent foraging tactics. The metabolic data support the hypothesis that T. teniotis cannot experience such low ambient temperatures as sympatric temperate-zone vespertilionid bats without incurring much higher energetic costs for thermogenesis. The minimum rate of metabolism in torpor was obtained at 7.5 degrees-10 degrees C in T. teniotis, as compared to 2.5 degrees-5 degrees C in N. noctula. Field data showed that T. teniotis behaves as a classic thermo-conforming hibernator in the Alps, with torpor bouts lasting up to 8 d. This contradicts the widely accepted opinion that Molossidae are nonhibernating bars. However, average body temperature (10 degrees-13 degrees C) and mean arousal frequency (3.4 d in one bat in January) appear to be markedly higher than in other temperate-zone bat species. At the northern border of its range T. teniotis selects relatively warm roosts (crevices in tall, south-exposed limestone cliffs) in winter where temperatures oscillate around 10 degrees C. By this means, T. teniotis apparently avoids the risk of prolonged exposure to energetically critical ambient temperatures in torpor (<6.5 degrees-7.5 degrees C) during cold spells. Possibly shared by other Molossidae, the physiological pattern observed in T. teniotis may clearly be linked to the intermediate latitudinal extension of this bat family.

State of Iowa Long-Term Economic Recovery Strategy Prepared for the Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, October 2010

The Rebuild Iowa Office (RIO) continues to coordinate the state‘s recovery effort from the storms, tornadoes and floods of 2008. Much has been accomplished since the Office‘s last quarterly report was issued in July 2010. State funding has been disbursed to help Iowans with unmet needs and housing. Local governments and entities are utilizing millions of federal dollars so thousands of disaster-impacted homeowners can be offered a buyout. More infrastructure projects are under construction and new neighborhoods are being built with mitigation efforts in mind. However, as Iowa continues to celebrate many successes along the road to recovery, it must also address the numerous challenges that are encountered along the path. Recovering from the state‘s largest disaster must be looked at as a marathon, not a sprint. Over the past three months, the RIO has especially remained focused on helping small business owners impacted by the 2008 disasters. Many disaster-affected businesses have reopened their doors, however their debt load continues to be overwhelming and many still struggle with the timeliness of the disbursement of funds. This report describes how programs and recent modifications are working to assist recovering businesses. This report contains updates on housing progress while outlining the complexities behind certain programs and the bottlenecks communities are facing due to strict federal guidelines for implementation. This following pages also describe how Iowa is implementing Smart Planning principles, publicizing flood awareness through outreach efforts and preparing a blueprint for the state to follow when future disasters occur. As always, the RIO recognizes and thanks the countless leaders and front-line workers from local, regional, state and federal government, businesses, non-profit organizations and private citizens that have provided input, support and leadership. Their dedication to Iowa‘s disaster recovery has made the plans and projects on the following pages possible.

Rebuild Iowa Office Transition Strategy, December 2010

The closing of the RIO does not mean that the recovery process is complete for Iowa families and communities. The recovery process will continue for many years to come, and the Rebuild Iowa Transition Strategy has been drafted to provide a comprehensive set of recommended action steps to help the state complete long-term recovery efforts while better preparing the state for future disasters. This report begins with a review of the twelve major Rebuild Iowa Advisory Commission (RIAC) recommendations which have guided RIO’s work, followed by a summary of the major accomplishments toward each recommendation. Complete, detailed information on all the work that has been accomplished toward the RIAC recommendations can be found in the RIO’s Quarterly Reports. The identification of remaining needs and issues serves as the basis for the transition strategy.

Iowa’s Drug Control Strategy, 2008

The 2011 Iowa Drug Control Strategy is submitted in satisfaction of Chapter 80E.1 of the Code of Iowa which directs the Drug Policy Coordinator to monitor and coordinate all drug prevention, enforcement and treatment activities in the state. Further, it requires the Coordinator to submit an annual report to the Governor and Legislature concerning the activities and programs of the Coordinator, the Governor’s Office of Drug Control Policy and all other state departments with drug enforcement, substance abuse treatment, and prevention programs. Chapter 80E.2 establishes the Drug Policy Advisory Council (DPAC), chaired by the Coordinator, and consisting of a prosecuting attorney, substance abuse treatment specialist, law enforcement officer, prevention specialist, judge and representatives from the departments of corrections, education, public health, human services, public safety and human rights. This report and strategy was developed in consultation with the DPAC.