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A two-dimensional, finite-difference numerical model is developed to simulate the breach evolution of noncohesive optimally compacted earthen dams. The main feature of the model is the inclusion of a source term in the sediment mass conservation equation that explicitly describes breach widening due to mass slumping of the breach sides. Model results are compared against experimental measurements of time variation of breach width and depth, breach discharge, and reservoir water depth for embankments of different sizes, sediment median grain sizes, inflow discharges, and reservoir volumes. The numerical model successfully captures the two stages of failure, namely, prewidening and widening. Then, the model is applied to simulate the overtopping failure of an earthen dam that occurred due to Hurricane Joaquin in October 2015 in Lexington, South Carolina. A sensitivity analysis is conducted to assess the effect of the main model parameters on the prediction of breach evolution. This analysis shows that breaching is affected more by tailwater depth than the soil failure angle and inlet discharge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Myopic traction maculopathy (MTM) is a major cause of visual impairment and blindness, particularly in Asian populations. With the global burden of myopia on the rise, understanding effective treatment options is crucial. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluate the efficacy of macular buckling in the management of MTM., Design: A systematic review and meta-analysis., Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. PubMed, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE databases were searched for relevant studies up to July 2024. Inclusion criteria encompassed studies reporting outcomes of macular buckling for MTM. Primary outcomes included changes in best-corrected visual acuity and axial length, retinal reattachment rate, and macular hole closure rate. Random-effect models were used for statistical analysis, with heterogeneity assessed using the I² statistic. The pooled results were reported as mean difference or proportion with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for each outcome., Results: Thirteen studies (482 eyes) met the inclusion criteria. Significant improvements in best-corrected visual acuity were observed across all follow-up periods, with the most substantial improvement in long-term outcomes (mean difference: 0.38 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution; 95% CI: 0.28-0.47). Axial length showed consistent reductions, with a mean long-term reduction of 2.88 mm (95% CI: 2.54-3.21). The pooled long-term retinal reattachment rate was 94% (95% CI: 86%-97%), while the long-term full thickness macular hole closure rate was 72% (95% CI: 55%-85%). Heterogeneity varied across outcomes and follow-up periods, ranging from low to high., Conclusions: Macular buckling demonstrates promising outcomes for MTM, including improved visual acuity, reduced axial length, high retinal reattachment rates, and favorable macular hole closure rates. These findings support the efficacy of macular buckling as a treatment option for MTM. However, further standardized, long-term studies are needed to confirm these results and explore potential combination therapies., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Brucellosis is a disease that poses a higher risk of transmission to animals and people who have close interactions with them, such as farmers. Therefore, the present study was designed to determine the seroprevalence of bovine brucellosis and associated risk factors in Kasur, Punjab, Pakistan. One hundred pooled milk samples from 100 smallholder mixed herds of cows and buffaloes with a total study population of 425 animals (277 cattle and 148 buffalos) with a range of up to seven animals in each herd were collected and tested through a milk ring test (MRT). Blood samples were collected from the animals of MRT-positive herds and then subjected to an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (i-ELISA) for the presence of antibodies against Brucella abortus. Of the 100 herds, 16 % (n = 16) were MRT-positive. In MRT-positive herds, 77 animals (43 female cattle, three male cattle, 21 female buffaloes, and ten male buffaloes) were present; 32 (41.6 %) were i-ELISA seropositive, with the highest seropositivity (54.8 %) observed in buffaloes as compared to cows (32.6 %). Almost 38 % of the farmers were unaware of brucellosis. Herd-level risk factors indicated Brucella seropositivity increased in herds with recent abortion history and bull exchange during breeding. Conversely, herds with veterinary assistance exhibited a decreased Brucella seropositivity. The findings highlight the need for a government-led awareness campaign emphasizing routine screenings, especially for breeding bulls, to stop further disease spread. Early detection and management can enhance animal health, milk production, and livestock holders' economic well-being., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no competing interests, and this study was conducted without any commercial or financial relationships., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Food safety is a critical issue in the 21st century due to antibiotic-resistant bacteria causing harmful foodborne diseases. This comprehensive study meticulously examined the presence of bacterial isolates, quinolone residue, and antimicrobial resistance genes in samples of broiler and fish meat. Forty samples were collected from various locations in the Faisalabad metropolis. The samples underwent culture on various types of agar, and the Vitek 2 compact system was used to confirm the isolates along with determining the minimum inhibitory concentration of antibiotics. Additionally, polymerase chain reaction was used to identify antimicrobial-resistant genes, and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit was employed to detect quinolone residue in each sample. Out of 40 fish samples, 66 polymicrobials were identified with Escherichia coli being the most prevalent (26.6%), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (16.6%) and Acinetobacter baumannii (15%). Furthermore, 70 polymicrobial were identified in the broiler samples, with 41.6% E. coli and 15% K. pneumoniae . In fish isolates, 14 (21%) qnr gene, 18 (27.2%) bla CTX-M , and 11 (16.6%) bla NDM-1 , and in broiler samples, 19 (27.1%) qnr gene, 19 (27.1%) bla TEM and 22 (31.4%) bla CTX-M , and 5 (7.1%) bla NDM-1 were found. Eighteen (45%) broiler and 7 (17.5%) fish samples with more than 100 µg per kg (ppb) for quinolone residues. The study concluded that the increased prevalence of multidrug-resistant bacteria and quinolone residue poses a significant threat to consumer health.