A parsimonious methodological framework for short-term forecasting of groundwater levels.

Groundwater plays a significant role as a strategic resource in reducing the impact of droughts. In spite of its importance, there are still many groundwater bodies in which there is not enough monitoring data to define classic distributed mathematical models to forecast future potential levels. The main aim of this study is to propose and evaluate a novel parsimonious integrated method for the short-term forecasting of groundwater levels. It has low requirements in term of data, and it is operational and relatively easy to apply. It uses geostatistics, optimal meteorological exogenous variables and artificial neural networks. We have illustrated our method in the aquifer "Campo de Montiel" (Spain). The analysis of optimal exogenous variables revealed that, in general, the wells with stronger correlations with precipitation are located closer to the central part of the aquifer. NAR, which does not consider secondary information, is the best approach for 25.5 % of the cases and is associated with well locations with lower R2 between groundwater levels and precipitation. Amongst the approaches with exogenous variables, the ones that use effective precipitation have been selected more times as the best experiments. NARX and Elman using effective precipitation had the best approaches with 21.6 % and 29.4 % of the cases respectively. For the selected approaches, we obtained a mean RMSE of 1.14 m in the test and 0.76, 0.92, 0.92, 0.87, 0.90, and 1.05 m for the forecasting test for months 1 to 6 respectively for the 51 wells, but the accuracy of the results can vary depending on the well. The interquartile range of the RMSE is around 2 m for the test and forecasting test. The uncertainty of the forecasting is also considered by generating multiple groundwater level series.

Assessment of chloride natural background levels by applying statistical approaches. Analyses of European coastal aquifers in different environments.

Estimated natural background levels (NBLs) are needed to assess groundwater chemical status according to the EU Groundwater Directive. They are commonly derived for different substances by applying statistical methodologies. Due to the complexity of the sea water intrusion process, some of those methods do not always provide appropriate assessment of chloride NBLs. This paper analyzes the applicability of different NBL estimation methods in five EU coastal aquifers with significant differences in available datasets and hydrogeological settings. A sensitivity analysis of results to different constraints was performed to remove samples with anthropogenic impacts. A novel statistical approach combining different methods to identify the range of chloride NBLs is proposed. In all pilots the estimated NBLs were below 85 mg/L and fitted well with previous studies and expert judgment, except Campina del Faro aquifer (the maximum being 167.5 mg/L). Although this approach is more time consuming, it provides a more robust solution.

The prevalence of dysphonia, its association with immunomediated diseases and correlation with biochemical markers.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with autoimmune diseases may suffer from hoarseness and voice disorders because of anatomical and functional alterations. OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence of dysphonia in rheumatic patients and its impact on their quality of life (QOL). To analyze the association of voice disorders in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and Sjögren syndrome (SS). To determine if voice disorders during the acute phase of these diseases are correlated with specific biochemical parameters. METHODS: Present an observational and transverse analytic study of 140 patients selected from February 2009 to January 2010. The subjects (80) were diagnosed with RA (44), SLE (32), and SS (4), and the control group (60) presented no voice disorders or rheumatic diseases. Patients were evaluated using the Voice Handicap Index (VHI) and a three items outcome scale (TIOS). A biochemical and C-reactive protein study was performed on 40 patients with a disease outbreak, measuring their complement, sedimentation velocity (VSG), and anti-DNA antibodies. RESULTS: The prevalence of dysphonia among the subjects was 32-38% as opposed to 5-8% in the control group. The rheumatic patients presented an odds ratio (OR) for dysphonia of 2.82 (VHI) and 5.04 (TIOS) when compared with healthy individuals (P<0.05). We found statistically significant differences in functional, physical, occupational, and emotional subscales of these tests. No significant differences were found when studying the biochemical parameters. A higher incidence of voice disorders (OR=3.07) was associated with SLE, followed by RA (OR=2.8; 95% CI). CONCLUSIONS: Systemic immunomediated diseases may associate voice disorders. Patients with SLE are those who develop these disorders more frequently. The biochemical parameters most affected during a crisis are VSG and anti-DNA antibodies.

Muscle morphology and jump performance: gender and intermuscular variability.

AIM: The present study aimed 1) to investigate the gender differences in jump performance and muscle architecture between men and women; and 2) to determine whether the differences in jump performance could be attributed to gender differences in the muscle architecture of the leg extensor muscles. METHODS: Sixty-two subjects volunteered for the study (34 women and 28 men): 19 club-level volleyball players, 20 physical education students, and 23 sedentary individuals. They performed trials of countermovement jumps (CMJ) and the muscle architecture of the vastus lateralis (VL), gastrocnemius medialis (GM), and lateralis (GL) were analyzed at rest by ultrasonography. RESULTS: There were significant differences in jump performance between men and women (CMJ height: 0.388 + or - 0.056 m in men and 0.279 + or - 0.060 m in women, P<0.001). There were also significant gender differences in the VL muscle thickness, while the relative fascicle length was significantly different in the three muscles studied, with longer fascicles in the VL muscle in men and longer fascicles in the gastrocnemii in women. There were significant associations between the VL muscle size and jump performance (r=0.49-0.50, P<0.001), and non linear relationships between muscle size parameters and pennation angles (R(2)=0.67-0.77, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm that there are gender differences in the muscle architecture of people with a wide physical activity background. The gender differences found in the VL muscle size partially explained the differences in jump performance.

Landing differences between men and women in a maximal vertical jump aptitude test.

AIM: The aim of this study was to analyze the gender differences in the vertical ground reaction forces and the position of the center of gravity during the landing phase of a maximal vertical jump aptitude test. METHODS: The push-off, flight and landing phases of the jumps of 291 males (age = 19.6+/-2.8 years) and 92 females (age = 19.2+/-2.6 years), applicants to a Spanish faculty of sports sciences, were analyzed with a force platform. RESULTS: The greatest differences between men and women were found in the jump performance (women = 25.6+/-3.5 cm; men = 35.5+/-4.5 cm) and second peak vertical force value of the landing phase (women = 5.89+/-2.06 times body weight; men = 7.51 +/-2.38 times body weight), the values being greater in the men's group (P < 0.001). Correlation coefficients showed that the women utilized a different landing pattern than the one utilized by the men. CONCLUSION: Contrary to the authors' expectations, women showed lower second peak vertical force values during the landing. Taking into account only a kinetic point of view, they would have a lower risk of injury during the landing movement of maximal jumps. The lower values in the peak force, the delay of the impact of the calcaneus and the longer path of the center of gravity during the landing phase found in the women's group were related to a landing technique that is different from that of men.

Assessment of power output in jump tests for applicants to a sports sciences degree.

AIM: Our study aimed: 1) to describe the jump performance in a population of male applicants to a Faculty of Sports Sciences, 2) to apply different power equations from the literature to assess their accuracy, and 3) to develop a new regression equation from this population. METHODS: The push off phases of the counter-movement jumps (CMJ) on a force platform of 161 applicants (age: 19+/-2.9 years; weight: 70.4+/-8.3 kg) to a Spanish Faculty of Sports Sciences were recorded and subsequently analyzed. Their hands had to be placed on the hips and the knee angle during the counter movement was not controlled. Each subject had 2 trials to reach a minimum of 29 cm of jump height, and when 2 jumps were performed the best trial was analyzed. Multiple regression analysis was performed to develop a new regression equation. RESULTS: Mean jump height was 34.6+/-4.3 cm, peak vertical force 1 663.9+/-291.1 N and peak power 3524.4+/-562 W. All the equations underestimated power, from 74% (Lewis) to 8% (Sayers). However, there were high and significant correlations between peak power measured on the force platform, and those assessed by the equations. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study support the development of power equations for specific populations, to achieve more accurate assessments. The power equation from this study [Power = (62.5 x jump height (cm)) + (50.3 x body mass (kg)) 2184.7] can be used accurately in populations of male physical education students.

Miopericarditis aguda: presentación de un caso clínico

Se presenta el caso de un niño de 8 años que desarrolló una miopericarditis aguda complicada con insuficiencia cardiaca severa posterior a cuadro de dengue epidémico. Desarrolló un gran derrame pericárdico que deterioró su estado clínico necesitando para su resolución la utilizacíon de corticoterapia en altas dosis. Se analizará su cuadro clínico así como los exámenes complementarios utilizados en el paciente.

Colorimetric determinations of chlorpheniramine maleate, ephedrine hydrochloride, and guaiacolsulfonate potassium in a cough syrup.

Colorimetric methods for the quantitative determinations of chlorpheniramine maleate, ephedrine hydrochloride, and guaiacolsulfonate potassium in a cough syrup containing color (amaranth) are reported. Chlorpheniramine maleate can be assayed using the cyanogen bromide method as reported in the literature. Ephedrine hydrochloride can be assayed using a dye method in which interference from chlorpheniramine maleate is taken into consideration. Guaiacolsulfonate potassium can be assayed by coupling it with 4-aminoantipyrine (the method is similar to the one for phenylephrine hydrochloride). All of the methods are simple, accurate, and precise. The application of the guaiacolsulfonate potassium assay method to commercial dosage forms is reported.