Opportunities to Improve the Quality of Environmental Reports and the Effectiveness of Environmental Impact Assessment: A Case of Electric Power Transmission Systems in Brazil

A good quality Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is key for the effectiveness of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) processes and consequently to the acceptability of projects subject to EIA. The international literature has contributed to the understanding of the essential aspects to be verified regarding the quality of EIS, offering a wide spectrum of good practice examples related to the content of the studies. Even so, there is a need for empirical studies that allow the identification of specific aspects related to the context of application of the EIS, which could lead to the identification of opportunities to improve both the quality of the reports and also the effectiveness of EIA. Therefore, the present paper is focused on the quality review of a number of EIS submitted to the Brazilian Federal Environmental Agency (Ibama) to instruct the assessment of electric power transmission systems. Based on the application of the EIS quality review package as proposed by Lee and Colley (1992), the outcomes reveal opportunities for improving the scope of EIA, analysis of alternatives, prediction of magnitude and the assessment of impact significance. Finally, the development and/or adaptation of a similar tool for the systematic review of the quality of EIA reports is recommended.

Observation of the Effect of Video Assessment Method on the Operation Skills of Individual Nurses

Objective:To explore the application effect of video assessment method in clinical nurses’nursing operation skills.Method:To select 58 nurses who participated in the individual soldier standard in the children’s hospital in 2019 and 2020 as the research objects,among which the nurses who participated in the individual soldier standard in 2019 were the nurses who participated in the individual soldier standard in 2019 and 2020.A total of 29 people in the first batch were set as the control group,using traditional assessment methods.In 2020,the second batch of 29 nurses who participated in the individual soldier standard reached the experimental group.Using the video assessment method,there was no significant difference in general information between the two groups(P>0.05).After the assessment,the scores,coping with work pressure,and proactiveness of the two groups of research subjects were compared.Results:The experimental group’s nursing operation assessment scores,coping with work pressure,and proactiveness were significantly better than those of the control group,the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion:The application of the video assessment method improves the passing rate of nurses’operational skills examination,enhances nurses’initiative in learning,reduces examination pressure,and can be accurately,timely,and safely applied to clinical nursing work,which is worthy of study and promotion.

Perceptual learning for treating amblyopia in children based on activation of visual signal pathway Relationship of curative effects and time

BACKGROUND： Conventional methods （such as occlusion therapy, fine manipulation, complementary, and alternative medicine） take effects slowly, are time and labor consuming, and have uncertain curative effects in the treatment of amblyopia. Perceptual learning, a new method for treating amblyopia, improves the ability to process signals from the cerebral optic nerve system by specific visual stimulation and visual learning, as well as activation of the visual signal pathway utilizing brain nervous system plasticity. OBJECTIVE： This study investigated and evaluated the curative effects of perceptual learning, which can directionally increase brain plasticity, on the treatment of amblyopia in children. The relationship between curative effect and time was also analyzed. DESIGN： A self-control experiment. SETTING： Visual Science and Optometry Center, People＇s Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. PARTICIPANTS： A total of 125 amblyopic children （250 amblyopic eyes）, 73 males, 52 females, averaging （6±2） years of age, received treatment at the Visual Science and Optometry Center, People＇s Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region between September 2006 and February 2007 and were recruited for this study. All children presented with no structural disease of the eyeballs. Written informed consent for therapeutic regiments was obtained from each child＇s parent. The protocol received approval from the Hospital＇s Ethics Committee. METHODS： Visual function was tested with a perceptual learning system （Research Center for Human Health and Development of Sun Yat-sen University, National Engineering Technique Research Center for Medical Care Implement） for visual noise, position noise, contour discrimination, contrast sensitivity, grating stereogram, and random-dot fusion. These tests helped to evaluate the efficiency of visual information processing of these children, and to determine the degree of defects of the optic nerve cells and the connections of visual cortical neurons. According to results of visual function tests, individualized treatment was adopted for each amblyopia patient using perceptual learning system. One course of treatment lasted one month, and treatment was performed twice every day with two training procedures （each training procedure lasted for ten minutes）. There was a ten-minute time interval between the two training procedures. The training treatment was performed in a quiet and dark environment. Visual acuity and recovery of visual function were tested every month. Original training procedure was continued or adjusted according to the results of visual function. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Visual function change; relationship of curative effects and curative time. RESULTS： A total of 125 amblyopia children were included in the final analysis. The total efficiency of perceptual learning for treating amblyopia in children was 75.2%. Visual acuity began to greatly increase 3 months after treatment （P 〈 0.05）. Visual acuity was best corrected from 0.60 ± 0.23 before treatment to 0.86 ± 0.26 after treatment （P 〈 0.05）. The mean time to reach improved levels with curative effects was （2.82 ± 1.30） months, and to reach a basically cured level was （2.87 ±1.40） months. Percentage of improved visual acuity was the highest [98% （39/40）] in children that received 3 months of treatment and the lowest [55% （31/56）] in children that received 1 month of treatment （P 〈 0.05）. The percentage of basically cured levels with curative effects increased with length of learning time and was the greatest in children that received 4 months of treatment [67% （31/46）, P 〈 0.05]. CONCLUSION： Perceptual learning rapidly and remarkably improves visual function of amblyopia children; however, the curative effects are first apparent two and three months after intervention.

A cloud model target damage effectiveness assessment algorithm based on spatio-temporal sequence finite multilayer fragments dispersion

To solve the problem of target damage assessment when fragments attack target under uncertain projectile and target intersection in an air defense intercept,this paper proposes a method for calculating target damage probability leveraging spatio-temporal finite multilayer fragments distribution and the target damage assessment algorithm based on cloud model theory.Drawing on the spatial dispersion characteristics of fragments of projectile proximity explosion,we divide into a finite number of fragments distribution planes based on the time series in space,set up a fragment layer dispersion model grounded in the time series and intersection criterion for determining the effective penetration of each layer of fragments into the target.Building on the precondition that the multilayer fragments of the time series effectively assail the target,we also establish the damage criterion of the perforation and penetration damage and deduce the damage probability calculation model.Taking the damage probability of the fragment layer in the spatio-temporal sequence to the target as the input state variable,we introduce cloud model theory to research the target damage assessment method.Combining the equivalent simulation experiment,the scientific and rational nature of the proposed method were validated through quantitative calculations and comparative analysis.

Clinical effect of acupuncture at ghost points combined with fluoxetine hydrochloride on mild-to-moderate depression

BACKGROUND Depression is a common,chronic,and recurrent mood disorder that has become a worldwide health hazard.Fluoxetine hydrochloride,a common treatment method,can inhibit 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT)recycling in the presynaptic membrane;however,the efficacy of a single drug is inadequate.At present,mildto-moderate depression can be treated with acupuncture of ghost caves,but the clinical curative effect of combined therapy with fluoxetine hydrochloride has not been sufficiently reported.AIM To evaluate the clinical effect of acupuncture at ghost points combined with fluoxetine hydrochloride in the treatment of mild-to-moderate depression.METHODS This retrospective study included 160 patients with mild-to-moderate depression who were admitted to Shanghai Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine,Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine,between January 2022 and June 2023.Patients were separated into a single-agent group(fluoxetine hydrochloride treatment,n=80)and a coalition group(fluoxetine hydrochloride treatment combined with acupuncture at ghost points,n=80).Pre-treatment symptoms were recorded,and the clinical curative effect and adverse reactions[Asberg Antidepressant Side Effects Scale(SERS)]were assessed.Depression before and after treatment[Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD)-24],neurotransmitter levels[5-HT,norepinephrine(NE),dopamine(DA)],oxidative stress indicators[superoxide dismutase(SOD),malondialdehyde(MDA)],and sleep quality[Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI)]were compared.RESULTS The total efficacy rate was 97.50%in the coalition group and 86.25%in the single-agent group(P<0.05).After 2,4,6,and 8 wk of treatment,the HAMD,self-rating depression scale,and SERS scores of the coalition and single-agent groups decreased compared with pre-treatment,and the decrease was more significant in the coalition group(P<0.05).After 8 wk of treatment,the levels of NE,DA,5-HT,and SOD in the coalition and single-agent groups increased,while the levels of MDA decreased;the increases and decrease in the coalition group were more significant(P<0.05).The PSQI scores of the coalition and single-agent groups decreased,and the decrease was more significant in the coalition group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Acupuncture at ghost points combined with paroxetine tablets can safely improve depressive symptoms and sleep disorders,regulate neurotransmitter levels,and reduce stress responses in patients with mild-to-moderate depression.

Effect of a systemic intervention combined with a psychological intervention in stroke patients with oropharyngeal dysfunction

BACKGROUND Stroke frequently results in oropharyngeal dysfunction(OD),leading to difficulties in swallowing and eating,as well as triggering negative emotions,malnutrition,and aspiration pneumonia,which can be detrimental to patients.However,routine nursing interventions often fail to address these issues adequately.Systemic and psychological interventions can improve dysphagia symptoms,relieve negative emotions,and improve quality of life.However,there are few clinical reports of systemic interventions combined with psychological interventions for stroke patients with OD.AIM To explore the effects of combining systemic and psychological interventions in stroke patients with OD.METHODS This retrospective study included 90 stroke patients with OD,admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Qiqihar Medical College(January 2022–December 2023),who were divided into two groups:regular and coalition.Swallowing function grading(using a water swallow test),swallowing function[using the standardized swallowing assessment(SSA)],negative emotions[using the selfrating anxiety scale(SAS)and self-rating depression scale(SDS)],and quality of life(SWAL-QOL)were compared between groups before and after the intervention;aspiration pneumonia incidence was recorded.RESULTS Post-intervention,the coalition group had a greater number of patients with grade 1 swallowing function compared to the regular group,while the number of patients with grade 5 swallowing function was lower than that in the regular group(P<0.05).Post-intervention,the SSA,SAS,and SDS scores of both groups decreased,with a more significant decrease observed in the coalition group(P<0.05).Additionally,the total SWAL-QOL score in both groups increased,with a more significant increase observed in the coalition group(P<0.05).During the intervention period,the total incidence of aspiration and aspiration pneumonia in the coalition group was lower than that in the control group(4.44%vs 20.00%;P<0.05).CONCLUSION Systemic intervention combined with psychological intervention can improve dysphagia symptoms,alleviate negative emotions,enhance quality of life,and reduce the incidence of aspiration pneumonia in patients with OD.

GIS-based Effect Assessment of Soil Erosion Before and After Gully Land Consolidation: A Case Study of Wangjiagou Project Region, Loess Plateau

The Loess Plateau is one typical area of serious soil erosion in the world. China has implemented ′Grain for Green′(GFG) project to restore the eco-environment of the Loess Plateau since 1999. With the GFG project subsidy approaching the end, it is concerned that farmers of fewer subsidies may reclaim land again. Thus, ′Gully Land Consolidation Project′(GLCP) was initiated in 2010. The core of the GLCP was to create more land suitable for farming in gullies so as to reduce land reclamation on the slopes which are ecological vulnerable areas. This paper aims to assess the effect of the GLCP on soil erosion problems by studying Wangjiagou project region located in the central part of Anzi valley in the middle of the Loess Plateau, mainly using the revised universal soil loss equation(RUSLE) based on GIS. The findings show that the GLCP can help to reduce soil shipment by 9.87% and it creates more terraces and river-nearby land suitable for farming which account for 27.41% of the whole study area. Thus, it is feasible to implement the GLCP in places below gradient 15°, though the GLCP also intensifies soil erosion in certain places such as field ridge, village land, floodplain, natural grassland, and shrub land. In short, the GLCP develops new generation dam land and balances the short-term and long-term interests to ease the conflicts between economic development and environmental protection. Furthermore, the GLCP and the GFG could also be combined preferably. On the one hand, the GFG improves the ecological environment, which could offer certain safety to the GLCP, on the other hand, the GLCP creates more farmland favorable for farming in gullies instead of land reclamation on the slopes, which could indirectly protect the GFG project.

Objective assessment of the antispasmodic effect of Shakuyaku-kanzo-to (TJ-68),a Chinese herbal medicine,on the colonic wall by direct spraying during colonoscopy

AIM： To objectively evaluate the effect of TJ-68 on colonic spasms during colonoscopy. METHODS： One hundred and one patients subjected to screening colonoscopy were randomly assigned to two groups： T1-68 in 51 subjects and saline as the control in 50. The endoscope was inserted into the sigmoid colon, then a spastic region was identified and the tip of the colonoscope was positioned at a distance of about 10 mm from the spastic region. The endoscopic view was recorded before and after direct spraying of the TJ-68 solution or warm saline. The intraluminal area of the spastic region was serially measured using a computer image analyzer and expressed as pixel counts. The area under the curve （AUC） was calculated from the pixel curve. Statistical significance was assessed by Wilcoxon＇s test and Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS： The mean AUC of the spastic region before and after TJ-68 spraying was 29 128 and 121 943 pixels, respectively, while with saline, it was 31 635 pixels and 48 617 pixels, respectively. Thus, the AUC significantly increased after TL-68 spraying compared with the spraying of saline （P〈0.001）. CONCLUSION： Direct spraying of TJ-68 on the colonic mucosa suppressed colonic spasm and it may be useful during colonoscopy when anticholinergic agents are contraindicated.

Environmental Impact Assessment Follow-Up of Seismic Survey Offshore Activities in Brazil

Follow-up of environmental impacts is an integral part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process, closely related to the effectiveness of the instrument. EIA follow-up has been receiving a lot of interest from scientists and practitioners, though it is recognized as one of the weakest points of EIA systems globally. Also, EIA follow-up is influenced by the context, mainly in terms of the types of projects or activities and their related impacts on the environment. Therefore, the present paper is focused on the investigation of the follow-up stage applied to the activity of seismic survey coupled with offshore oil & gas exploitation in Brazil. Research was based on a qualitative approach that included document analysis and semi-structured interviews with analysts involved in EIA processes, and sought to generate evidence of effectiveness of the EIA follow-up as conducted by the Federal Environment Agency (Ibama) in order to situate the practice of follow-up in the broader context of international best practice principles. Based on the findings, it was concluded that, due to the peculiarities of offshore seismic survey, it is necessary to promote adaptations in the procedures for monitoring impacts in order to ensure proper alignment with the principles and conceptual foundations that guide EIA practice. Specifically, the timing of the execution of the activity imposes challenges for its integration into the “conventional” cycle that has guided the monitoring of the impacts in the EIA of projects.

Exposure Level, Toxicity Effects and Health Risk Assessment of Organophosphorus Flame Retardants in Water Environment

Organophosphorus flame retardants(OPFRs) are gradually replacing brominated flame retardants(BFRs), which are widely used in the world. The increasing output of OPFRs and the increasing detection of OPFRs in environmental media have attracted wide attention of scholars at home and abroad. OPFRs are generally semi-volatile, easy to enter the environment and accumulate in organisms,causing potential hazards to the environment and human health. In this paper, the pollution status and toxic effects of OPFRs in aquatic environment were introduced,and the research progress of human health risk caused by them was summarized.The existing problems were pointed out, and the future research was prospected. In the future, the analytical methods of various environmental and biological media should be improved, and comprehensive and in-depth environmental investigation and ecological and health risk assessment should be carried out. Attention should be paid to the effects of combined pollution on organisms and the study of biological acceptability.

The Effectiveness of Albumin Combined with Diuretics in Treating Ascites in Cirrhosis

Cirrhosis often leads to various complications during its progression,with ascites being one of the most common.Among these cases,5%to 10%are classified as refractory ascites.In recent years,clinical research on the treatment of cirrhotic ascites has yielded increasingly enriched results.In this paper,a large number of clinical data on the treatment of ascites using albumin combined with diuretics were collected,and it was found that there were more results in group control studies.It was believed that albumin combined with diuretic therapy could effectively improve symptoms,reduce the occurrence of adverse reactions,ensure the safety of patients,and have a good clinical application prospect.This paper reviews the efficacy of albumin combined with diuretics in the treatment of ascites in cirrhosis.

Effect of Aftershocks on Assessment of Seismic Hazard for Hebei Seismic Zone,China

In this paper, the earthquake hazard parameters (λ m,b and M max) from the maximum likelihood method for the raw catalogue and declustered catalogues have been used to discuss the effect of the aftershocks on the earthquake hazard estimation. The declustered catalogues have been compiled from the raw catalogues by deleting the aftershocks in different time interval after main shock according to the criteria for the aftershock activity period. As an example, Hebei seismic zone is taken to show the effect of the aftershock on the earthquake hazard assessment because three strong earthquakes with the aftershocks occurred from 1966 to 1976. The results have been shown that the effect of the aftershocks on the parameters λ m,b is significant. The difference between the clustered and declustered catalogues has reached in seismic activity rate and recurrence period, at most, 45% and 90%, respectively. But the difference in M max is smaller. Based on this, the suggestion that the aftershocks should be omitted in the estimation of the earthquake hazard could be made, but how long the aftershocks activity duration is still left to the future research.

Chimney Effect Assessment of the Double-skin Facade

The mathematic model of heat transfer through ventilated double glazing was verified with the measured data,which were from a test chamber equipped with glass face temperature,solar radiation,ambient temperature,and wind speed measurement facility.After the model validation,the double-skin facade assessment was carried out through simulation with ESP-r software integrating thermal simulation and air low net work module.The air flow situation in the air gap was analyzed on the basis of the hourly air velocity simulation data within typical winter week,summer week,spring week and autumn week.The differences of chimney effect in different seasons were discussed,and the thermal loads resulted from the ventilated and unventilated double skin facade were presented.

OBSERVATION ON CURATIVE EFFECTS OF BEATING-ACUPUNCTURE ON 100 CASES OF CERVICAL SPONDYLOPATHY

Beating-acupuncture therapy is developed by Li Xutang, Director of the Section of TCM in the Jingdezhen Municipal First Hospital. Amng the 100 cases in the beating-acupuncture group, 85 cases were cured and 11 cases improved, the cure rate was 85 %; Of the 50 cases in the filiform needle acupuncture group, 25 cases were cured and 23 improved, the cure rate was 50 %. There was a statis-tically significant difference(P<0.01 ) between the two grdrips. It is indicated that the curative effect of beating-acupuncture on cervical spondylopathy is obviously superior to that of fili form-needle acupuncture, which provides a new therapy without traumatic pain for clinical treatment of cervical spondylopathy,

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE CONCENTRATION OF METHIMAZOLE IN PLASMA AND INTRATHYROID AND ITS CURATIVE EFFECT

In order to investigate the relationship between concentration of methimazole(MMTand clinical curative efficacy,the concentration of MMI in Plasma and thyroid tissue was measuredin 26 patients with Graves' disease by HPLC,meanwhile their T-lymphocyte subsets,thyroid autoimmune antibodies and serum immunoglobulin were also measured.The results showed: ① The plasmaand intrathyroid concentrations of MMI of recovery group were much higher than those of unrecovery group(P<0.001).② The hardness of thyroid had a significant effect on the concentration ofMMI in thyroid.③Plasma concentration of MMI in the patients with no or 1￣2-degree enlargement of thyroid was much higher than that in the patients with 3-degree enlargement of thyroid(P<0.001). In addition, the plasma concentration of MMI in the subjects with soft thyroid was mudhigher than that in those with hard thyroid(P<0.001).Our study demonstrated that MMI playeda role in the immune supression of thyroid autoimmune antibodies and the immune regulation of Tand B-lymphocytes.Effective MMI concentration in the plasma and intrathyroid is the key of thesuccessful clinical treatment and correlates with the size and hardness of thyroid.

Observation of Curative Effect of Massage and Acupoint Block on 250 Patients with Scapulohumeral periarthritis

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100 Cases of Obstinate Insominia of Curative Effect by Acupuncture Da Ling Point

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A PROBABILISTIC ASSESSMENT OF TEMPERATURE EFFECTSON THE LOW CYCLE FATIGUE BEHAVIOUR OF 1Cr_(18)Ni_9Ti STEEL WELD METAL

Based on the test results obtained from the single-step test and the incremental-step test at room temperature and 240℃, a probabilistic assessment of temperature effects on the cyclic stress-strum response and the fatigue life of 1Cr18Ni9Ti steel weld metal is performed. In orber to assess the temperature effect on cyclic stress amplitude where there is a scatter of the material cyclic constitution, a probabilistic assessment approach on the basis of probabilistic modified Ramberg-Osgood relations is introduced.The investigation shows that the cyclic stress amplitude and the scatter of cyclic stress amplitude data are decreased at 240℃. Similarly, from the consideration of the fatigue life scatter a probabilistic assessment of temperature effect on the fatigue life is suggested on the basis of probabilistic Langer S-N relations. The investigation shows that the crack initiation life is increased and the scatter of crack initiation life data is decreased at 240℃.

Work Effectiveness,Problems and Countermeasures of Third-Party Assessment Teams from Colleges and Universities for Targeted Poverty Alleviation

Conducting a third-party assessment on targeted poverty alleviation can effectively avoid the disadvantage that local government plays as both athlete(i.e.performer of poverty alleviation work)and referee(i.e.referee for poverty alleviation effect)in poverty alleviation to ensure the truth of poverty alleviation,and therefore,it is an important part of the work to win the battle against poverty.Since 2016,the thirdparty assessment teams from colleges and universities for targeted poverty alleviation have achieved good results and performance in the assessment on both the effectiveness of targeted poverty alleviation work and the exit of poor counties in China,and they have made due contributions to the cause of poverty alleviation.However,as a new thing,third-party assessment obviously has some problems,mainly including the following:subjective understanding on the long-term nature of rural poverty alleviation is insufficient,and there is a lack of long-term considerations and related mechanism for third-party assessment;affected by policies and institutions,most of the existing third-party assessment teams from colleges and universities have not regarded third-party assessment of targeted poverty alleviation as a cause,and they lack the motivation to actively study the assessment business;and the third-party assessment staff from colleges and universities for targeted poverty alleviation have low stability and high mobility,not conducive to the long-term construction of assessment teams.In order to establish long-term poverty alleviation and prevention mechanisms,these issues must be addressed squarely and relevant countermeasures need to be taken actively to effectively build a long-term mechanism for building third-party assessment teams from colleges and universities for targeted poverty alleviation.