Underground Pipeline Leakage Risk Assessment in an Urban City.

Underground pipeline safety is a concern among civilians in populated urban cities. Due to the potential for considerable damage from underground pipeline leakages, it is critical to identify potential risk areas. This study developed a simplified risk value using risk assessment software (ALOHA) and geography information systems (SuperGIS and Surfer) to produce potential risk maps for underground pipeline leakage in a major urban city. A risk assessment of areas affected by underground pipeline leakage was performed for vapor diffusion, thermal radiation from combustion, and overpressure from an explosion. The results are applicable to disaster management departments and agencies in highly populated cities.

Peripheral arterial disease and atrial fibrillation and risk of stroke, heart failure hospitalization and cardiovascular death: A nationwide cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and atrial fibrillation (AF) share several comorbidities and contribute to similar cardiovascular (CV) outcomes. Only few studies have evaluated the correlation between PAD, AF, and their interaction effects on CV outcomes. METHODS: We included 597,164 adults from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database to conduct a cohort study to assess whether PAD was an independent risk factor of AF and vice versa. We also examined if PAD and AF increased the incident stroke, heart failure hospitalization and CV death. RESULTS: People with PAD had a significant higher risk of incident AF than those without PAD [adjusted hazard ratio (HR): 1.29, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.17-1.42]. Meanwhile, people with AF did not have an increased risk of incident PAD compared to those without AF (adjusted HR: 1.00, 95% CI: 0.89-1.11). Both AF and PAD increased the risk of stroke [adjusted HR being 1.29 (95% CI: 1.17-1.43) and 1.41 (95% CI: 1.35-1.47), respectively], heart failure hospitalization [adjusted HR being 1.96 (95% CI: 1.77-2.17) and 1.35 (95% CI: 1.28-1.42), respectively], and CV death [adjusted HR being 3.33 (95% CI: 2.58-4.30) and 2.08 (95% CI: 1.80-2.41), respectively]. However, we found no interaction effects of AF and PAD on these outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: PAD is an independent risk factor of incident AF but not vice versa. Both PAD and AF are independent risk factors for stroke, heart failure hospitalization, and CV death.

Study of basic computer competence among public health nurses in Taiwan.

Rapid advances in information technology and media have made distance learning on the Internet possible. This new model of learning allows greater efficiency and flexibility in knowledge acquisition. Since basic computer competence is a prerequisite for this new learning model, this study was conducted to examine the basic computer competence of public health nurses in Taiwan and explore factors influencing computer competence. A national cross-sectional randomized study was conducted with 329 public health nurses. A questionnaire was used to collect data and was delivered by mail. Results indicate that basic computer competence of public health nurses in Taiwan is still needs to be improved (mean = 57.57 +- 2.83, total score range from 26-130). Among the five most frequently used software programs, nurses were most knowledgeable about Word and least knowledgeable about PowerPoint. Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed eight variables (weekly number of hours spent online at home, weekly amount of time spent online at work, weekly frequency of computer use at work, previous computer training, computer at workplace and Internet access, job position, education level, and age) that significantly influenced computer competence, which accounted for 39.0 % of the variance. In conclusion, greater computer competence, broader educational programs regarding computer technology, and a greater emphasis on computers at work are necessary to increase the usefulness of distance learning via the Internet in Taiwan. Building a user-friendly environment is important in developing this new media model of learning for the future.