Risk factors for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction in children under two years of age

·AIM:To identify various risk factors that may play a significant role in the development of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction(CNLDO).·METHODS:This observational case-control study included a case group of 122 children less than two years of age with CNLDO who underwent probing and irrigation treatment at the ophthalmology department of Imam Khomeini Hospital in Ahvaz,Iran,from June 2022 to June2024.A control group of 122 age-matched children without CNLDO was also included for comparison.Data was collected from the children's medical records.·RESULTS:The study found a significant correlation between the occurrence of CNLDO and several maternal factors,such as preeclampsia,the use of levothyroxine,hypothyroidism,having more than three pregnancies(gravidity>3),natural pregnancy,and gestational diabetes mellitus.Additionally,in children,factors,such as oxygen therapy,anemia,reflux,jaundice,and a family history of CNLDO in first-degree relatives were associated with CNLDO,and maternal preeclampsia and hypothyroidism were found to significantly increase the risk of developing CNLDO in children.·CONCLUSION:Given that CNLDO affects both premature and full-term children,the present findings may potentially facilitate the early identification of children and infants at risk of nasolacrimal duct obstruction,thereby preventing the onset of chronic dacryocystitis.

Heat shock transcription factors regulate thermotolerance gene networks in tomato(Solanum lycopersicum)flower buds

Tomato(Solanum lycopersicum)is an important fruit and vegetable crop in worldwide.The fertility of tomato reproductive organs can be dramatically decreased when ambient temperatures rise above 35°C,reducing tomato fruit yield.It is necessary to identify transcription factors(TFs)and target genes involved in heat stress response(HSR)signaling cascades in tomato flower buds to improve tomato plant thermotolerance.In this study,we profiled genes expressed in three developmental stages of tomato flower buds.Red and turquoise modules for heat stress(HS)were identified through gene co-expression network analysis,and the genes within these modules were enriched in HS-related pathways.By focusing on the TFs in the two modules,we identified several novel HSR-related TFs,including SlWRKY75,SlMYB117,and SlNAM.Furthermore,homology analysis illustrated a conserved signaling cascade in tomato.Lastly,we identified and experimentally validated four HSF-regulated genes,namely SlGrpE,SlERDJ3A,SlTIL,and SlPOM1,that likely modulate thermotolerance in plants.These results provide a high-resolution atlas of gene expression during tomato flower bud development under HS conditions,which is a valuable resource for uncovering potential regulatory networks associated with the HSR in tomato.

Evaluation of the prevalence and risk factors of burnout syndrome among healthcare workers:A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND Burnout syndrome is a significant issue among healthcare professionals worldwide,marked by depersonalization,emotional exhaustion,and a reduced sense of personal achievement.This psychological and physical burden profoundly affects healthcare professionals'quality of care and overall well-being.In Somalia,where the healthcare system faces numerous challenges,the escalating demand for medical services and inadequate resources,coupled with overwhelming workloads,long hours,and high-stress levels,make healthcare providers particularly vulnerable to burnout syndrome.This,in turn,affects both the mental health of healthcare personnel and the quality of care they provide.AIM To examine the prevalence and determinants of burnout syndrome among healthcare practitioners in Mogadishu,Somalia.METHODS This cross-sectional prospective study was performed among 246 healthcare providers employed at a tertiary care hospital in Mogadishu,Somalia,who were recruited via random sampling.Data were collected using questionnaires that covered sociodemographic,psychological,work-related characteristics,and burnout syndrome.Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the variables that correlated with burnout syndrome.The results were presented using adjusted odds ratios(AORs),95%CIs,and P values,with a cutoff of 0.05 for identifying significant associations.RESULTS Among the participants,24%(95%CI:18.8%–29.8%)exhibited symptoms of burnout syndrome.Factors associated with burnout included female gender(AOR=6.60;95%CI:2.29-19.04),being married(AOR=3.07;95%CI:1.14-8.28),being divorced or widowed(AOR=5.84;95%CI:1.35-25.35),working more than 7 night shifts(AOR=3.19;95%CI:1.30–7.82),having less than 5 years of job experience(AOR=5.28;95%CI:1.29-21.65),experiencing poor sleep quality(AOR=5.29;95%CI:1.88-14.89),and exhibiting depressive(AOR=4.46;95%CI:1.59-12.53)and anxiety symptoms(AOR=7.34;95%CI:2.49-21.60).CONCLUSION This study found that nearly one in four healthcare professionals suffers from burnout syndrome.Improving sleep quality,monitoring,and providing mental health support could enhance their well-being and patient care.

Risk factors,monitoring,and treatment strategies for early recurrence after rectal cancer surgery

Early recurrence(ER)following surgery for rectal cancer is a significant factor impacting patient survival rates.Tsai et al identified age,preoperative neoadjuvant therapy,length of hospital stay,tumour location,and pathological stage as factors influencing the risk of ER.Postoperative monitoring for ER should encompass a thorough medical history review,physical examination,tumour marker testing,and imaging studies.Additionally,noninvasive circulating tumour cell DNA testing can be utilized to predict ER.Treatment strategies may involve radical surgery,radiation therapy,chemotherapy,and immunotherapy.Through a comprehensive analysis of risk factors,the optimization of monitoring methods,and the development of personalized treatment strategies,it is anticipated that both the efficacy of treatment and the quality of life for rectal cancer patients with postoperative recurrence can be significantly improved.

Prognosis in stage II colon cancer:Expanding the horizons of risk factors

we critically review the authors’perspective and analyze the relevance of the results obtained in the original article of clinical research by Liu et al.We consider that additional factors associated with colon cancer progression have recently been described in extensive clinical research,and should be included in this analysis to achieve a more accurate prognosis.These factors include inflammation,gut microbiota composition,immune status and nutritional balance,as they influence the post-surgical survival profile of patients with stage II colorectal cancer.We also address the clinical implementation and limitations of these analyses.Evaluation of the patient´s entire context is essential for selection of the most appropriate therapy.

Parameter changes and influencing factors in sixty patients with interventional surgery for liver cancer diagnoses

BACKGROUND The development of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is influenced by multiple factors.Interventional therapy offers an effective treatment option for patients with unresectable intermediate-to-advanced HCC.Interventional therapy can induce electrocardiographic(ECG)abnormalities that may be associated with liver dysfunction,electrolyte disorders,and cardiac injury.AIM To explore the ECG alterations and determinants following interventional therapy in patients with HCC.METHODS Sixty patients undergoing interventional treatment for liver cancer were selected as study participants.According to the results of the dynamic ECG examination 1 day after surgery,the patients were divided into an abnormal group(n=21)and a nonabnormal group(n=39).With the help of dynamic ECG examination,the ECG parameters were compared and the baseline data of patients was recorded in the two groups.RESULTS The 24 hours QT interval variability,24 hours normal atrial polarization to ventricular polarization(R-R)interval(standard deviation),24 hours consecutive 5 minutes normal R-R interval,and 24 hours continuous 5 minutes normal R-R interval(standard deviation mean)were lower than patients in the nonabnormal group(P<0.05).The logistic analysis showed that age>60 years,liver function grade B,and postoperative body temperature 38°C were risk factors for abnormal dynamic electrocardiogram in patients with liver cancer intervention(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Interventional therapy for HCC can lead to ECG abnormalities,underscoring the clinical need for enhanced cardiac monitoring to mitigate myocardial complications.

Classification and identification of risk factors for type 2 diabetes

The risk factors for type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)have been increasingly researched,but the lack of systematic identification and categorization makes it difficult for clinicians to quickly and accurately access and understand all the risk factors,which are categorized in this paper into five categories:Social determinants,lifestyle,checkable/testable risk factors,history of illness and medication,and other factors,which are discussed in a narrative review.Meanwhile,this paper points out the problems of the current research,helps to improve the systematic categorisation and practicality of T2DM risk factors,and provides a professional research basis for clinical practice and industry decision-making.

Two APETALA2/ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTORS coordinately with Ca MYC2 positively regulate capsaicinoid biosynthesis in pepper(Capsicum annuum)

The transcriptional cascade and regulatory loop play crucial roles in regulating plant-specialized metabolite biosynthesis.Capsaicinoids are unique to the genus Capsicum and confer a pungent flavor to its fruits.However,the transcriptional regulation of capsaicinoid biosynthesis remains largely unknown.In this study,two AP2/ERF transcription factors(TFs),CaERF102 and CaERF111,were characterized for their role in the capsaicinoid biosynthesis process.Expression analysis of two ERFs and capsaicinoid biosynthetic genes(CBGs)suggested that they were associated with capsaicinoid biosynthesis.Both ERFs encode nuclear-localized proteins and function as transcriptional activators through their C-terminal activation motifs.The two ERF TFs participated in capsaicinoid biosynthesis by directly activating the promoters of key CBGs,and this activation was significantly enhanced when CaMYC2 was co-expressed.Moreover,CaERF102 and CaERF111 were found to interact with CaMYC2.This study helps elucidate the AP2/ERF TF regulatory network that governs capsaicinoid biosynthesis in Capsicum species.

Evaluating risk factors for surgical site infections and the effectiveness of prophylactic antibiotics in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND Surgical site infections(SSIs)are a significant complication in laparoscopic cholecystectomy(LC),affecting patient outcomes and healthcare costs.AIM To identify risk factors associated with SSIs and evaluate the effectiveness of prophylactic antibiotics in reducing these infections.METHODS A comprehensive retrospective evaluation was conducted on 400 patients who underwent LC from January 2022 to January 2024.Patients were divided into infected(n=36)and non-infected(n=364)groups based on the occurrence of SSIs.Data collected included age,diabetes mellitus status,use of prophylactic antibiotics,and specific surgical complications.Statistical analyses using SPSS(Version 27.0)involved univariate and multivariate logistic regression to determine factors influencing the risk of SSIs.RESULTS The use of prophylactic antibiotics significantly reduced the incidence of SSIs(χ²=68.34,P<0.01).Older age(≥60 years)and comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus were identified as significant risk factors.Surgical complications like insufficient cystic duct stump,gallbladder perforation,and empyema also increased SSI risk.Notably,factors such as intraoperative blood loss and operation time did not significantly impact SSI occurrence.CONCLUSION Prophylactic antibiotics are effective in reducing the risk of SSIs in patients undergoing LC.Age,diabetes mellitus,and certain surgical complications significantly contribute to the risk.Effective management of these risk factors is essential to improve surgical outcomes and reduce the incidence of SSIs.

Influence factors of clinical effects on patients with early gastric cancer:A retrospective study

BACKGROUND Identifying factors that influence non-curative resection(NCR)is critical to optimize treatment strategies and improve patient outcomes in patients with early gastric cancer(EGC).AIM To investigate the factors influencing the NCR of EGC and to evaluate the predictive value of these factors.METHODS The clinical data of 173 patients with EGC admitted between July 2020 and July 2023 were retrospectively collected.According to radical resection criteria,the patients were further divided into curative resection group(n=143)and NCR group(n=30).Clinical information was collected,including surgical method,tumor diameter,tumor site,ulcer formation,depth of invasion,pathological type,and lymph node metastasis.Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the factors affecting non-curable resection.RESULTS Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that ulcer formation[odds ratio(OR)=3.53;95%confidence interval(CI):1.55-8.01,P=0.003],pathological type(OR=3.73;95%CI:1.60-8.74,P=0.002),tumor diameter(OR=3.15;95%CI:1.40-7.05,P=0.005),tumor location(OR=3.50;95%CI:1.16-10.58,P=0.027),lymph node metastasis(OR=4.40;95%CI:1.83-10.57,P=0.001),and depth of penetration(OR=3.75;95%CI:1.60-8.74,P=0.002)were all risk factors for NCR in EGC patients.Predictive analysis showed varying area under the curve values for factors such as tumor diameter(0.636),tumor location(0.608),ulcer formation(0.652),infiltration depth(0.658),pathological type(0.656),and lymph node metastasis(0.674).CONCLUSION The results suggest that factors such as tumor diameter,tumor location,ulcer formation,depth of invasion,pathological type,and lymph node metastasis increase the risk of NCR in EGC patients.

Effect of negative mood,serum inflammatory factors,miR-155,and brain-derived neurotrophic factor

BACKGROUND Abdominal postoperative patients are susceptible to postoperative depression resulting from pain and stress,which can hinder their rehabilitation.Acupuncture has shown potential to relieve this condition.AIM To analyze the mechanism by which acupuncture relieves postoperative depression in patients post-abdominal surgery.METHODS Abdominal postoperative patients with depression between January 2015 and December 2023 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine were enrolled.Patients were divided into two groups using the random throwing method:Observation(250 cases,fluoxetine hydrochloride+acupuncture treatment)and control(250 cases,fluoxetine hydrochloride treatment).Changes in negative emotions Hamilton Depression Scale 24,serum inflammatory factors[tumor necrosis factorα,interleukin(IL)-1β,IL-6],miR-155 expression levels,and BDNF levels were assessed.RESULTS Significant improvements were observed in the observation group compared to the control group in all assessed parameters after six weeks(P<0.05).This suggests that the combination of fluoxetine hydrochloride and acupuncture may be more effective in managing postoperative depression than medication alone.CONCLUSION Acupuncture complies with the principle of traditional Chinese medicine syndrome differentiation and ensures the pertinence and effectiveness of treatment.In addition,it not only actively improves depressive symptoms but also effectively regulates the serum level of inflammatory factors.

Risk factors, prevention and screening of colorectal cancer: A rising problem

Colorectal cancer(CRC)is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide.The leading risk factors for CRC include male gender,age over 50,family history,obesity,tobacco smoking,alco-hol consumption,and unhealthy diet.CRC screening methods vary considerably between countries and depend on incidence,economic resources and healthcare structure.Important aspects of screening include adherence,which can vary signi-ficantly across ethnic and socioeconomic groups.Basic concepts of CRC screening include pre-stratification of patients by identifying risk factors and then using fecal immunochemical test or guaiac-based fecal occult blood test and/or colono-scopy or radiologic imaging techniques.Technological capabilities for CRC scree-ning are rapidly evolving and include stool DNA test,liquid biopsy,virtual colo-nography,and the use of artificial intelligence.A CRC prevention strategy should be comprehensive and include active patient education along with targeted imple-mentation of screening.

Vegetation structural characteristics and topographic factors in the remnant moist Afromontane forest of Wondo Genet, south central Ethiopia

For forest ecosystem management to be effective, knowledge of the horizontal and vertical structural diversity of a forest is essential. The moist Afromontane highlands of Wondo Genet in south-central Ethiopia present an opportunity to restore and rehabilitate and enhance the ecosystem services to be obtained from this forest sustainably. We focused on the forest structural characteristics to better understand the current forest conditions to assist in the sustainable management of this resource. A total of 75 （20 m × 20 m） quadrats were sampled and diame- ter at breast height （DBH） 〉2 cm and stem height 〉2 m were measured. Species identity and abundance, elevation, slope, and aspect were recorded for each plot. Structural characteristics were computed for each plot. Relationship of topographic factors with vegetation characteristics was conducted using R-Software. A total of 72 woody species was re- corded. Whereas, the overall diameter distribution shows an inverted J-shaped curve, the basal area followed a bell-shaped pattern. Five types of population structures are revealed. The mean tree density and basal area was 397.3 stems.ha-1 and 31.4 m2.ha-1, respectively. Only 2.8% of the tree species have densities of 〉25 stems.ha^-1 and the percentage dis- tribution of trees show 56.2% in the DBH class 2-10 cm, indicating that the forest is dominated by medium-sized trees. Celtis africana （8.81 m2.ha^-1） and Pouteria adolfi-friederieii （5.13 m2.ha^-1） make the highest contribution to the basal area and species importance value index. The families/species with the highest importance value index are Ulmaceae, Fabacea and Sapotaceae. Species abundance （r2 = 0.32, p 〈0.001） and species richness （P =0.50, p 〈0.001） are positively related with tree density. Tree density is negatively related with elevation （~ = -0.36, p 〈0.001）, slope （r2 =-0.15, p 〈0.001） and aspect （r2 = -0.07, p 〈0.05）. While basal area is negatively related with elevation （r2 =-0.14, p 〈0.001）, it has a positive relationship with tree density （r2 =0.28, p 〈0.001 and species richness （r2 =0.098）. Species with poor population structure should be assisted by restoration tasks and further anthropogenic distur- bance such as illegal logging and fuel wood extraction should be re- stricted.

Relationship between settlements and topographical factors:An example from Sichuan Province,China

Terrain can influence the spatial distribution of settlements. Studies on the terrain characteristics of settlements can help to understand the effects of the environment on human activities. This paper provides a quantitative analysis of the relationship between settlements and topographical factors. A statistically significant sample of residential locations and ASTER GDEM V2 were used to investigate terrain traits and settlements distributions. We selected eight topographical factors and introduced a practical concept, distributive entropy, into assessing the aggregation extent of the settlements' spatial distribution. The study showed that topography varies within the study area, and distributive entropy indicates that settlements have distinctive distribution tendency in statistic approach. According to the results of this study, mountain inhabitants prefer to settle in valleys. Additionally, with distributive entropy, residential suitability was divided to three levels: suitable, normal, and unsuited. The results showed that suitable area is small in Sichuan Province, accounting for 8.2%～29.9%; however, unsuited area is large, accounting for 33%～63.3%.

Relationship between ponding and topographic factors along the China-Russia Crude Oil Pipeline in permafrost regions

The original landform along the China Russia Crude Oil Pipeline(CRCOP,line 2)was disturbed during installation of pavement for the pipeline.Forest and vegetation coverage is dense,and runoff develops along the pipe.Since the opera tion of the CRCOP(line 2)began in 2018,ponding has appeared on both sides of the pipeline.If there is no drainage,ponding can hardly dissipate,due to the low permeability of the permafrost layer.With the supply of surface flow and the transportation of oil at positive temperatures,ponding promotes an increase in temperature and changes the boundary ther mal conditions of the pipeline.Meanwhile,when the ponding freezes and thaws,frost heave threatens operational safety of the pipeline.Furthermore,the ponding can affect the thermal condition of line 1.In this paper,the distribution of pond ing along the CRCOP was obtained by field investigation.The type and cause of ponding were summarized,and the catch ment and stream order were extracted by the Digital Elevation Model(DEM).According to the statistical results in attri butes for topographic factors,it is known that ponding along the pipeline is relative to elevation,slope,aspect,and the Topographic Wetness Index(TWI).Water easily accumulates at altitudes of 300450 m,slopes within 3°5°,aspect in the northeast or south,TWI within 1316,flow direction in north east south,and flow length within 90150 km.This paper proposes a theoretical basis for the cause and characteristics of ponding along the pipeline.

Effects of Topographical and Edaphic Factors on the Distribution of Plant Communities in two Subtropical Karst Forests,Southwestern China

Relationships between topography,soil properties and the distribution of plant communities on two different rocky hillsides are examined in two subtropical karst forests in the Maolan National Natural Reserve,southwestern China.Surveys of two 1-ha permanent plots at each forest,and measurements of four topographic and thirteen edaphic factors on the slopes were performed.Twoway Indicator Species Analysis(TWINSPAN) and Detrended Canonical Correspondence Analysis(DCCA) were used for the classification of plant communities and for vegetation ordination with environmental variables.One hundred 10m×10m quadrats in each plot were classified into four plant community types.A clear altitudinal gradient suggested that elevation was important in community differentiation.The topography and soil explained 51.06% and 54.69% of the variability of the distribution of plant species in the two forest plots,respectively,indicating both topographic factors(eg.elevation,slope and rock-bareness rate) and edaphic factors(e.g.total P,K and exchangeable Ca) were the important drivers of the distribution of woody plant species in subtropical karst forest.However,our results suggested that topographical factors were more important than edaphic ones in affecting local plant distribution on steep slopes with extensive rock outcrops,while edaphic factors were more influential on gentle slope and relatively thick soil over rock in subtropical karst forest.Understanding relationships between vegetation and environmental factors in karst forest ecosystems would enable us to apply these findings in vegetation management strategies and restoration of forest communities.

Significant risk factors for intensive care unit-acquired weakness:A processing strategy based on repeated machine learning

BACKGROUND Intensive care unit-acquired weakness(ICU-AW)is a common complication that significantly impacts the patient's recovery process,even leading to adverse outcomes.Currently,there is a lack of effective preventive measures.AIM To identify significant risk factors for ICU-AW through iterative machine learning techniques and offer recommendations for its prevention and treatment.METHODS Patients were categorized into ICU-AW and non-ICU-AW groups on the 14th day post-ICU admission.Relevant data from the initial 14 d of ICU stay,such as age,comorbidities,sedative dosage,vasopressor dosage,duration of mechanical ventilation,length of ICU stay,and rehabilitation therapy,were gathered.The relationships between these variables and ICU-AW were examined.Utilizing iterative machine learning techniques,a multilayer perceptron neural network model was developed,and its predictive performance for ICU-AW was assessed using the receiver operating characteristic curve.RESULTS Within the ICU-AW group,age,duration of mechanical ventilation,lorazepam dosage,adrenaline dosage,and length of ICU stay were significantly higher than in the non-ICU-AW group.Additionally,sepsis,multiple organ dysfunction syndrome,hypoalbuminemia,acute heart failure,respiratory failure,acute kidney injury,anemia,stress-related gastrointestinal bleeding,shock,hypertension,coronary artery disease,malignant tumors,and rehabilitation therapy ratios were significantly higher in the ICU-AW group,demonstrating statistical significance.The most influential factors contributing to ICU-AW were identified as the length of ICU stay(100.0%)and the duration of mechanical ventilation(54.9%).The neural network model predicted ICU-AW with an area under the curve of 0.941,sensitivity of 92.2%,and specificity of 82.7%.CONCLUSION The main factors influencing ICU-AW are the length of ICU stay and the duration of mechanical ventilation.A primary preventive strategy,when feasible,involves minimizing both ICU stay and mechanical ventilation duration.

Impacts of topographic factors on regional snow cover characteristics

At a local scale,snow cover is influenced by terrain properties,and it affects water availability across some arid and semiarid regions.This study aimed to quantify the spatial heterogeneity of snow cover due to topographic effects based on moderate-resolution image spectroradiometer(MODIS)daily snow cover products,processed with spatial and backward temporal filters.A snow-dominant region in the middle section of the northern Tianshan Mountains in China was selected,and the snow cover ratio(SCR)and the number of snow cover days(SCD)were investigated.The results suggest that MODIS images are biased toward underestimation of the snow cover in the study region,and the error is primarily manifested within the elevation band of 1500e2500 m.The snow cover is mainly affected by elevation,and snow mostly accumulates above 3800 m.In addition,the differences in SCR and SCD between the south-and north-facing slopes are more significant than those between the east-and west-facing slopes.Notably,the north-facing slopes have the maximum values of SCR and SCD,whereas the south-facing slopes have the minimum values of SCR and SCD.Furthermore,the impact of slope gradients on snow cover varies across seasons.Snow cover on a sloped surface decreases with the slope gradient during winter,while it tends to increase with the slope gradient during the other seasons.Overall,this study presents a useful perspective on the variance in regional snow cover and provides guidance for the water resources management of snow meltwater with different terrain features.

Disinfection Byproducts and Their Precursors in Drinking Water Sources:Origins,Influencing Factors,and Environmental Insights

Tracing the contamination origins in water sources and identifying the impacts of natural and human processes are essential for ecological safety and public health.However,current analysis approaches are not ideal,as they tend to be laborious,time-consuming,or technically difficult.Disinfection byproducts(DBPs)are a family of well-known secondary pollutants formed by the reactions of chemical disinfectants with DBP precursors during water disinfection treatment.Since DBP precursors have various origins(e.g.,natural,domestic,industrial,and agricultural sources),and since the formation of DBPs from different precursors in the presence of specific disinfectants is distinctive,we argue that DBPs and DBP precursors can serve as alternative indicators to assess the contamination in water sources and identify pollution origins.After providing a retrospective of the origins of DBPs and DBP precursors,as well as the specific formation patterns of DBPs from different precursors,this article presents an overview of the impacts of various natural and anthropogenic factors on DBPs and DBP precursors in drinking water sources.In practice,the DBPs(i.e.,their concentration and speciation)originally present in source water and the DBP precursors determined using DBP formation potential tests—in which water samples are dosed with a stoichiometric excess of specific disinfectants in order to maximize DBP formation under certain reaction conditions—can be considered as alternative metrics.When jointly used with other water quality parameters(e.g.,dissolved organic carbon,dissolved organic nitrogen,fluorescence,and molecular weight distribution)and specific contaminants of emerging concern(e.g.,certain pharmaceuticals and personal care products),DBPs and DBP precursors in drinking water sources can provide a more comprehensive picture of water pollution for better managing water resources and ensuring human health.

Spatiotemporal deformation characteristics of Outang landslide and identification of triggering factors using data mining

Since the impoundment of Three Gorges Reservoir(TGR)in 2003,numerous slopes have experienced noticeable movement or destabilization owing to reservoir level changes and seasonal rainfall.One case is the Outang landslide,a large-scale and active landslide,on the south bank of the Yangtze River.The latest monitoring data and site investigations available are analyzed to establish spatial and temporal landslide deformation characteristics.Data mining technology,including the two-step clustering and Apriori algorithm,is then used to identify the dominant triggers of landslide movement.In the data mining process,the two-step clustering method clusters the candidate triggers and displacement rate into several groups,and the Apriori algorithm generates correlation criteria for the cause-and-effect.The analysis considers multiple locations of the landslide and incorporates two types of time scales:longterm deformation on a monthly basis and short-term deformation on a daily basis.This analysis shows that the deformations of the Outang landslide are driven by both rainfall and reservoir water while its deformation varies spatiotemporally mainly due to the difference in local responses to hydrological factors.The data mining results reveal different dominant triggering factors depending on the monitoring frequency:the monthly and bi-monthly cumulative rainfall control the monthly deformation,and the 10-d cumulative rainfall and the 5-d cumulative drop of water level in the reservoir dominate the daily deformation of the landslide.It is concluded that the spatiotemporal deformation pattern and data mining rules associated with precipitation and reservoir water level have the potential to be broadly implemented for improving landslide prevention and control in the dam reservoirs and other landslideprone areas.