bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of an Integrated Assay for Detection of BCR-ABL RNA
Authors: Winn-Deen Emily S , Helton Bret , Van Atta Reuel , Wong Wendy , Peralta Jeffrey , Wang James , Tsongalis Gregory J , Belloni Dorothy , Chan David , Eshleman James R , Gocke Christopher D , Jobbagy Zsolt , Beppu Lan , Radich Jerald P
Published: July 2007

Background: Current practice guidelines for managing patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) call for monitoring BCR-ABL transcript concentrations with a quantitative reverse transcription–PCR (qRT-PCR) assay. Because the available laboratory-developed assays lack consensus on the appropriate design, reporting of results, and reference intervals, we developed and evaluated an integrated BCR-ABL assay that yields standardized results for any laboratory and can be performed by technicians with no specialized training.

Methods: We used the Cepheid Xpert® BCR-ABL Monitor assay to measure both BCR-ABL and ABL (endogenous control) transcripts in blood samples from CML patients and healthy individuals. The assay involves 8 manual pipetting steps, fully automated nucleic acid purification, a nested qRT-PCR step, and data analysis.

Results: The BCR-ABL assay requires approximately 2 h 20 min and covers a 5-log concentration range with a lower detection limit for the BCR-ABL:ABL ratio of approximately 0.005%. Assay results were negative for 100% of the 56 known CML-negative samples (12 patients with other hematologic disorders and 44 healthy blood donors). Testing of CML-positive patients undergoing disease monitoring showed 85% agreement with negative results (17 of 20) and 100% agreement with positive results (26 of 26). An imprecision/portability study revealed no differences in performance between sites, days, instruments, and operators.

Conclusions: The Xpert BCR-ABL Monitor assay provides a robust and reproducible alternative to laboratory-developed assays. Its ease of use may allow more laboratories to offer BCR-ABL testing for patients, and the short assay time enables same-day results for treating physicians.
Grouting Performance of Microfine Cement and Silica Fume Mix into Sands
Authors: Mollamahmutoğlu Murat , Yılmaz Yüksel , Kutlu İhsan
Published: July 2007

The aim of this study is to investigate the groutability of a microfine cement and silica fume mix grout into fine to medium sands. The basic rheological properties of the cement and silica fume mix suspension (microfine cement: 90 % of solids by weight and silica fume: 10 % of solids by weight) with water/solid ratio of 1.0 are first determined. In addition, penetration performance of the suspension into fine to medium sand specimens having different relative densities is investigated. Unconfined compression and permeability tests were performed on the grouted specimens. It is found that the unconfined compressive strengths of sand specimens permeated the grout mix were higher than those of sand specimens permeated with cement but without silica fume additive. Permeability tests on specimens permeated with cement/silica fume revealed that the permeability in these specimens is lower than that of specimens permeated with cement only.
Durability of Marble Cladding—A Comprehensive Literature Review
Authors: Grelk B. , Christiansen C. , Schouenborg B. , Malaga K.
Published: July 2007

Natural stone has been used for centuries as building material. In historical time it was mainly used as load bearing elements, but within the past 50 years a new processing technique has made it commercially feasible to produce and use thin façade cladding. Unfortunately, a number of marble facades on buildings in both Europe and elsewhere have had serious problems with deterioration of the stone material. The TEAM (TEAM = TEsting and Assessment of Marble and limestone) project consortium represents nine European countries and comprises 16 partners, representing stone producers and trade associations, testing laboratories, standardization and certificate bodies, consultants, building owners and caretakers and producers of fixing and repair systems. The project had a budget of approximately 5 million dollars and was partly funded by the European Commission under the contract no. G5RD-CT-2000-00233. Two of the main objectives in the TEAM project were: — To understand and explain the mechanisms of the expansion, bowing, and loss of strength leading to degradation of marble and limestone clad facades. — To prevent the use of deleterious marble and limestone by introducing a draft for new European standards. This paper presents some of the important conclusions drawn from a literature review carried out within the TEAM project—and was based on an extensive review of literature on marble and limestone deterioration dating from the late 1800s to 2006 and the results of the TEAM project. The comprehensive information from more than 70 selected literature references is reviewed and discussed in order to describe the present knowledge on the causes and mechanisms responsible for the bowing and strength loss of thin marble cladding. In the following, the literature and TEAM findings are grouped under a number of headings proposed to explain observations. Thus, the information from the literature is compared and supplemented with the results from the TEAM project in order to present a good overview of the existing, most relevant, knowledge in the field. The literature review reveals that only few researchers have examined the durability problem from a broad perspective. In addition, no conclusive answer about the mechanisms and influencing factors can be given. The TEAM project has made it possible to identify several of the key influencing factors in marble degradation, the relative importance of various factors, and to gain a deeper understanding of the mechanisms involved.
Long-term Safety and Efficacy of a Once-Daily Regimen of Emtricitabine, Didanosine, and Efavirenz in HIV-Infected, Therapy-Naive Children and Adolescents: Pediatric AIDS Clinical Trials Group Protocol P1021
Authors: McKinney Ross E. , Rodman John , Hu Chengcheng , Britto Paula , Hughes Michael , Smith Mary Elizabeth , Serchuck Leslie K. , Kraimer Joyce , Ortiz Alberto A. , Flynn Patricia , Yogev Ram , Spector Stephen , Draper Linda , Tran Paul , Scites Melissa , Dickover Ruth , Weinberg Adriana , Cunningham Coleen , Abrams Elaine , Blum M. Robert , Chittick Gregory E. , Reynolds Laurie , Rathore Mobeen ,   for the Pediatric AIDS Clinical Trials Group Protocol P1021 Study Team
Published: July 2007

BACKGROUND. Compliance with complex antiretroviral therapy regimens is a problem for HIV-1–infected children and their families. Simple, safe, and effective regimens are important for long-term therapeutic success.

METHODS. A novel, once-daily dosing regimen of 3 antiretroviral drugs, emtricitabine, didanosine, and efavirenz, was tested in 37 therapy-naive HIV-infected children and adolescents between 3 and 21 years of age (inclusive). Subjects were followed for ≥96 weeks on an intention-to-treat basis. Signs, symptoms, plasma HIV-1 RNA viral load, CD4 counts, and safety laboratories were followed regularly. End points were the proportion of subjects with plasma HIV <400 or 50 HIV copies per mL and safety and tolerability of the regimen.

RESULTS. Thirty-seven subjects enrolled at 16 sites. Two subjects with rashes during the first 2 weeks of therapy were the only adverse events leading to study-drug discontinuation. Other early (before protocol-scheduled conclusion) study discontinuations included 3 viral failures on treatment and 5 patients who stopped therapy for apparently nonmedical reasons. Possible drug-related adverse events included 1 grade 4 low-glucose and 5 varied grade 3 events. There were no deaths. Virologic outcomes demonstrated that 32 (85%) of 37 subjects achieved viral suppression to <400 RNA copies per mL, and 26 (72%) of 37 subjects maintained sustained suppression at <50 copies per mL through week 96. The median baseline CD4 count was 310 per μL (17%), which increased at week 96 by a median of +329 cells per μL (by +18% CD4). Pharmacokinetic results were as predicted for emtricitabine, didanosine, and efavirenz capsules, whereas efavirenz concentrations in children receiving efavirenz oral solution were lower than anticipated, requiring a dose escalation after the planned assessment point.

CONCLUSIONS. A once-daily regimen of emtricitabine, didanosine, and efavirenz proved to be safe and tolerable and demonstrated good immunologic and virologic efficacy in this 2-year study.
Pneumococcal Meningitis Presenting With a Simple Febrile Seizure and Negative Blood-Culture Result
Authors: Golnik Allison
Published: July 2007

A 12-month-old girl with occult bacterial meningitis presented with a simple febrile seizure. On examination, the patient was alert, interactive, and smiling responsively without meningeal signs, focal neurologic findings, or signs of extreme illness. Her parents were reluctant to allow a lumbar puncture, and the patient was admitted for observation without lumbar puncture. Her fever resolved, and she was playful, had good oral intake, and was discharged 24 hours after admission. Her initial blood-culture result remained negative. Within 24 hours of discharge, the patient had a focal febrile seizure, came back to the hospital, and was found to have meningitis with a penicillin-susceptible, nonvaccine Streptococcus pneumoniae strain 12F.
Pediatricians' Adherence to Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Shortage Recommendations in 2 National Shortages
Authors: Fairbrother Gerry , Broder Karen , Staat Mary Allen , Schwartz Benjamin , Heubi Christine , Hiratzka Shannon , Walker Frances J. , Morrow Ardythe L.
Published: July 2007

OBJECTIVES. The goals were (1) to compare pediatricians' heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine shortage experience and adherence to shortage recommendations during 2 heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine shortages, (2) to assess factors associated with nonadherence to second shortage recommendations, and (3) to assess opinions about national immunization policy during vaccine shortages.

METHODS. We mailed surveys to all pediatrician immunization providers in the greater Cincinnati, Ohio, metropolitan area. We assessed heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine supply and immunization practices during the shortages and provider attitudes regarding immunization shortage policy.

RESULTS. The response rate was 61% (171 of 282 providers). Most pediatricians experienced heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine shortages (first shortage: 86%; second shortage: 84%). The rate of adherence to recommendations to defer the fourth heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine dose for healthy children was significantly higher during the second shortage, compared with the first shortage (first shortage: 62%; second shortage: 89%). Adherence to recommendations to administer the fourth dose to high-risk children remained unchanged (first shortage: 43%; second shortage: 45%). Controlling for other factors, pediatricians who reported a severe second shortage had greater odds of not fully vaccinating high-risk children, compared with those who reported no shortage. Contrary to recommendations, many pediatricians did not maintain tracking systems during the heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine shortages (first shortage: 37%; second shortage: 46%). Most pediatricians (91%) thought that national vaccine shortage recommendations were needed to protect them from liability.

CONCLUSIONS. The rate of adherence to recommendations to defer heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine doses for healthy children increased significantly from the first shortage to the second shortage. The nonadherent practice of deferring the fourth dose for high-risk children was associated with more severe shortages and, potentially, an inability to vaccinate.
Arrival Patterns and Movements of Adult Sockeye Salmon in Lake Washington: Implications for Management of an Urban Fishery
Authors: Newell J. C. , Fresh K. L. , Quinn T. P.
Published: July 2007

The Lake Washington watershed in Washington State has several discreet breeding populations of sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka that return over the course of several months and remain in the lake for up to 6 months before spawning. Depending on the arrival timing and distribution of sockeye salmon in the lake, in-lake fisheries might disproportionately exploit one population or another and might select individuals from within populations having traits that covary with arrival timing (e.g., age, size, and sex). We applied disk tags to adult sockeye salmon as they entered the lake in 2003 and 2004 and tracked individual fish with ultrasonic transmitters. Recovery rates of disk-tagged fish declined over the course of both seasons and were lower in 2004 than in 2003, suggesting that prespawning mortality was occurring because of high water temperatures. Arrival timing did not vary consistently between populations and was at most weakly correlated with life history traits (older fish tended to arrive earlier). Ultrasonic transmitters revealed that individual sockeye salmon were distributed throughout the lake in the early summer but gradually congregated near the mouth of their natal stream in the fall. Fisheries are therefore likely to exploit the populations in proportion to their overall abundance without selecting strongly for spawning date or life history traits, tending to minimize evolutionary effects within populations. However, the expansion of a hatchery on the river with the largest population has been proposed; if fisheries increase to take advantage of the enhanced population, they may have a disproportionate effect on the smaller wild populations in other tributaries.
The Influence of Water Temperature on Time to Surface for Adult Sockeye Salmon Carcasses and the Limitations in Estimating Salmon Carcasses in the Fraser River, British Columbia
Authors: Patterson D. A. , Skibo K. M. , Barnes D. P. , Hills J. A. , Macdonald J. S.
Published: July 2007

We determined the postmortem specific gravity and examined the relationship between water temperature and the time to surface for carcasses of adult sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka. These results, in conjunction with other biophysical factors, were used to explain the difficulties associated with the detection of the carcasses of sockeye salmon that die during upstream migration in the Fraser River. Large negative differences have occurred between the sockeye salmon estimates at the river entry and spawning escapement (>0.5 million in 8 of the past 15 years), but relatively few carcasses are observed. Without confirmation of mortality, managers are left with the dilemma of how to partition these differences among lower river escapement, spawning ground escapement, catch, en route mortality, and unreported catch. We investigated the reasons for the paucity of carcass observations by experimentally testing the influence of water temperature on carcass buoyancy and by examining hydrological factors that may affect carcass visibility. Because the Fraser River is turbid (Secchi depth, <40 cm), only carcasses on the surface can be observed. Initially, all fish had specific gravity estimates of greater than 1 (mean ± SD, 1.057 ± 0.010) and were negatively buoyant when placed in tanks at different water temperatures. The time for a sockeye salmon carcass to surface was inversely related to water temperature and ranged from 1–3 d at 20°C to 12–18 d at 6°C. Annual counts of dead fish floating on the surface were positively correlated with river water temperature. Fisheries managers should not always expect to see large numbers of dead salmon in years of high estimated en route losses, given the factors that influence the visibility of salmon carcasses in a large river system. We recommend alternative methods for achieving more accurate and precise estimates of en route mortalities.
Catch-and-Release Mortality of Spotted Seatrout in Texas: Effects of Tournaments, Seasonality, and Anatomical Hooking Location
Authors: James Jason T. , Stunz Gregory W. , McKee David A. , Vega Robert R.
Published: July 2007

The purpose of this study was to assess initial and delayed mortality of spotted seatrout Cynoscion nebulosus captured during live-release tournaments. Additionally, we examined spotted seatrout mortality as a function of season and anatomical hooking location. We assessed tournament-related mortality at 10 live-release fishing tournaments held in four Texas bays—Galveston, Matagorda, Aransas, and Upper Laguna Madre—from February 2004 to April 2006. Combined overall mean mortality was 22.9%, mean initial mortality (percent of dead fish brought to weigh-in) was 10.4%, mean delayed mortality (percent of fish that died in tournament holding tanks) was 14.1%, and delayed short-term mortality (percent of fish that died during a 14-d observation period in laboratory tanks) was 1.9%. To assess seasonal mortality, we examined a total of 364 spotted seatrout captured by hook and line from July 2004 to June 2005 using replicated 3.5-m3 field enclosures for 72 h. Overall mortality for the seasonal study was 6%. Mortality rates were higher during spring (9%) and summer (10%) than during fall or winter (both 0%). Tournament organizers should avoid scheduling events during late spring and summer, when seasonal mortalities are the highest. To assess mortality as a function of anatomical hooking location, we examined a total of 479 spotted seatrout held in field enclosures after capture. We assigned hooking locations to four body regions: mouth, gills, esophagus, and external. Overall mortality for the anatomical hooking location study was 19%. Mortalities were higher for fish hooked in the esophagus (95%) and gills (75%) than for fish hooked in the mouth (10%) and externally (8%). Our results suggest that spotted seatrout mortality during live-release tournaments exceeds that observed under normal catch-and-release fishing practices and that posttournament delayed mortality is low. Anatomical hooking location is a major factor influencing mortality, but under normal fishing practices only about 12% of fish are hooked in locations that consistently cause mortality.
Catch-and-Release Mortality in Subadult and Adult Red Drum Captured with Popular Fishing Hook Types
Authors: Vecchio Julie L. , Wenner Charles A.
Published: July 2007

Saltwater anglers along the entire coast of the southeastern United States target red drum Sciaenops ocellatus more frequently than any other recreational fish species. The frequency of catch-and-release angling has increased dramatically for this species in the past two decades, but little is known about the survival of released fish. This study demonstrates that catch-and-release mortality rates for subadult and adult red drum differed significantly among the most popular types of fish hooks in each fishery. To investigate the effect of hook type on anatomical hooking location and short-term (48-h) mortality, we captured subadults (339–825 mm total length (TL)) by use of 2/0 J-hooks (n = 57 fish), 4/0 nonoffset circle hooks (n = 58 fish), and 4/0 offset circle hooks (n = 57 fish). Nonoffset circle hooks penetrated shallow regions of the body (jaw, tongue, or inside of mouth) significantly more frequently (90%) than did J-hooks (60%) or offset circle hooks (80%). Nonoffset circle hooks also resulted in the lowest rate of subadult mortality (2%). Adults (660–1,138 mm TL) were captured on bottom longline gear with 7/0 J-hooks (n = 60) and 9/0 nonoffset circle hooks (n = 107). The frequency of deep hooking in adults was significantly higher for J-hooks (30%) than nonoffset circle hooks (3%). Only deep hooked fish were monitored for 48-h survival. Adult mortality after 48 h was lower for nonoffset circle hooks (1.9%) than for J-hooks (3.3%). These mortality rates should be considered in future red drum stock assessments.
Survival, Growth, and Tag Retention in Age-0 Muskellunge Implanted with Passive Integrated Transponders
Authors: Wagner Curtis P. , Jennings Martin J. , Kampa Jeffrey M. , Wahl David H.
Published: July 2007

Mark–recapture studies are an important component of fisheries research and management. Underlying assumptions of such studies include minimal tag loss and negligible effects on the behavior, fitness, and survival of tagged individuals. Passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags are becoming increasingly commonplace, largely because of their small size, ease of implantation, longevity, and reportedly high rates of retention. We evaluated tag retention and survival and growth effects on age-0 muskellunge Esox masquinongy marked with PIT tags at two implantation sites, the peritoneal cavity and the dorsal musculature, during overwinter trials in Illinois and Wisconsin. For both trials, no significant differences in survival (88.0–89.8%), relative daily growth (0.0006–0.00062 mm·mm−1·d−1), or tag retention (99.5–99.8%) were observed among the two implantation groups and a control group. Survival and tag retention were also similar between trials. Our findings suggest that PIT tags implanted either in the peritoneal cavity or the dorsal musculature are acceptable for use in marking age-0 muskellunge.
Novel a‐Si:H TFT pixel circuit for electrically stable top‐anode light‐emitting AMOLEDs
Authors: Yoo Juhn Suk , Lee Hojin , Kanicki Jerzy , Kim Chang‐Dong , Chung In‐Jae
Published: July 2007

Abstract— A novel pixel circuit for electrically stable AMOLEDs with an a‐Si:H TFT backplane and top‐anode organic light‐emitting diode is reported. The proposed pixel circuit is composed of five a‐Si:H TFTs, and it does not require any complicated drive ICs. The OLED current compensation for drive TFT threshold voltage variation has been verified using SPICE simulations.
Switchable helical holographic structures
Authors: Gorkhali Suraj P. , Crawford Gregory P. , Yemtsova Maryna , Rasing Theo
Published: July 2007

Abstract— A 3‐D array of helical structures fabricated using holographic polymer‐dispersed liquid crystals (H‐PDLC) is presented. Multiple coherent beams are interfered to create a constructive helical pattern which is permanently captured using the standard H‐PDLC method. Films with such array of helical structures have both diffractive and circular polarization sensitive reflective properties. Iso‐intensity patterns, design parameters, fabrication process, optical/electro‐optical performance of these periodic helical structures are discussed along with their potential application for advanced electro‐optical devices.
Patterned liquid‐crystal laser film for multi‐dimensional multi‐color emissive film technology
Authors: Woltman Scott J. , Crawford Gregory P.
Published: July 2007

Abstract— A two‐dimensional array consisting of dye‐doped reflection‐mode holographic‐polymer‐dispersed liquid crystal (H‐PDLC) lasers with alternating pitch lengths is presented. These post structures each reflect at a narrow bandwidth of light. The addition of laser dye to the H‐PDLC system allows for the generation of laser emission at the edge of the reflection band, or photonic band gap. In patterning these H‐PDLC post structures, a narrow‐linewidth patterned emissive color film is realized. The potential of such films and their implication in the display industry is discussed. In creating a three‐color array, an active emissive color film could replace the backlight and color filter components within the display. Such a patterned system would possess a wide color gamut, through spatial color synthesis, formed by narrow‐linewidth lasing structures with well‐defined wavelengths of emission.
Mathematical modeling of the LCD response time
Authors: Adam Pierre , Bertolino Pascal , Lebowsky Fritz
Published: July 2007

Abstract— Techniques to reduce LCD motion blur are extensively used in industry and they depend on an inherent LCD parameter: response time. However, normative response time is not a sufficient reference to improve LCD performance and all the gray‐to‐gray response‐time quantities are required to obtain good improvement. However, measuring and gathering all the gray‐to‐gray transitions takes an excessive amount of time. Consequently, we propose a novel LCD model to simulate as well as compute gray‐to‐gray transitions (response time and behavior) from a reduced measurement set in order to decrease the response‐time measurement.
Tailored liquid‐crystal switching on ferroelectric polymer films
Authors: Shah Hemang J. , Delaine David , Fontecchio Adam K.
Published: July 2007

Abstract— The development of voltage‐controlled visible‐wavelength progression in displays and optical data storage devices using ferroelectric polymers and liquid crystals is described. Ferroelectric polymers are materials that have a ready distribution of dipoles which can be oriented by manipulating material composition and external fields. Utilizing the charge polarization distribution, their performance as an alignment layer for inducing liquid‐crystal alignment is presented. The switching response of the devices was tailored by changing the material composition through copolymers and nanoclay doping.
Chiral SmA* materials for display applications?
Authors: Walba David M. , Korblova Eva , Eshdat Lior , Biewer Michael C. , Yang Hong , Jones Christopher , Nakata Michi , Talarico Mara , Shao Renfan , Clark Noel A.
Published: July 2007

Abstract— The potential of chiral SmA* materials for electro‐optics applications exploiting the electroclinic effect will be explored. In this context, the nature of the de Vries smectics will be discussed, and characterization and application of some rare SmA* materials exhibiting a large and relatively temperature‐insensitive electroclinic coefficient will be described.
Polarization‐independent modulation for projection displays using small‐period LC polarization gratings
Authors: Komanduri Ravi K. , Jones W. Michael , Oh Chulwoo , Escuti Michael J.
Published: July 2007

Abstract— Progress in the use of liquid‐crystal polarization grating (LCPG) to modulate unpolarized (and polarized) light with a grating period as small as 6.3 μm is reported. Similar to LCPGs formed at larger periods (11 μm) reported previously, polarization‐independent switching, predominantly three diffraction orders, maximum contrast ratios of ∼100:1 for unpolarized broadband light, very low scattering, and diffraction efficiencies >98% continue to be observed. The smaller period led to an expected lower threshold voltage, even though the thickness was greater. Because the smaller grating period enables a brighter result from a Schlieren projection scheme for a microdisplay using the LCPG light valve, the inherent tradeoffs involved with both material and design parameters are discussed, and prospects for a polarization‐independent projection display are commented upon.
Carbon nanotubes and semiconductor nanowires for active‐matrix backplanes
Authors: Pribat D. , Cojocaru C. S. , Gowtham M. , Eude L. , Bondavalli P. , Legagneux P.
Published: July 2007

Abstract— Carbon nanotubes and semiconductor nanowires are a new class of materials currently being studied within the context of molecular electronics. Because of their excellent characteristics, transistors based on carbon nanotubes and semiconductor nanowires could become the workhorse of the post‐CMOS era. Since carbon nanotubes as well as Si or Ge nanowires can be grown at low temperature, using similar CVD‐type processes and on non‐crystalline and non‐refractory substrates, they could (and will) certainly be used in the near future for the fabrication of thin‐film transistors and active‐matrix backplanes. However, the development of these nanomaterials is hampered by the general problems posed by their manipulation, placement, and in‐plane organization. The possible use of CNT random networks (that do not need to be organised) for the fabrication of thin‐film transistors will be reviewed. Then a new way of organizing semiconductor NWs in a thin‐film transistor, based on the use of lateral porous anodic alumina templates, will be presented.
Integrated water management plans towards sustainability: the Taiwan experience
Authors: Chiang P.C. , Chang E.E. , Huang C.P.
Published: July 2007

This report summarizes past and current activities in water management in Taiwan based on four major programs: (1) Taiwan 2000: Balancing Economic Growth and Environmental Protection (The 1985–1988), (2) Taiwan Agenda 21: National Sustainable Development (1998–2003), (3) Local Agenda 21: Environmental Action Plan Towards Sustainability (2003–2006), and (4) Sustainable Water Environment. Taiwan 2000 was for the first time in Taiwan the government encouraged industries to seek a balance between economic development and environmental protection. According to the principles and visions of Agenda 21, the Government has implemented visions and strategies for national sustainable development to serve as the basic guidelines for keeping up with the development in the 21st century. Local Agenda 21 was also developed by the local city and county governments from 2003 to 2006. It has an emphasis on sustainable water environment, total emission control, eco-industrial parks, sustainable transportation, and green community promotion. In addition, a fifth program, Water Safety Plan, was developed as the “Green Blue-Print” for the development of strategies and guidelines of national sustainable water environment. It focuses on Source Water Implementation Plan Rule (SWIPR), modernization of water treatment plants, and the implementation of Integrated Performance Evaluation (IPE) Program.
Water resource policies and management in Korea
Authors: Shin H.S.
Published: July 2007

Although the annual precipitation in Korea is 30% higher than the world average, increased population, urbanization and industrialization, as well as improved living standard have caused problems such as water shortage, flood damage, and water pollution. Additional multi-purpose dams and infra-structures are supposed to be constructed by 2011. On the other hand, water demand control is also suggested. This includes water saving by increasing water price, reuse of treated water, development of new water resources and rainfall management. Beside the Comprehensive Measures on the Provision of Clean Water, Comprehensive Water Quality Management Measures for the Four Major Rivers and Act on Watershed Management and Community Support are the main policies to be implemented for improving the quality of major rivers. Recently, Total Water Pollution Load management is voluntarily pursued for sustainable management of water resources.
Integrated physical and ecological management of the East River
Authors: Lee J.H.W. , Wang Z.Y. , Thoe W. , Cheng D.S.
Published: July 2007

We present an independent assessment of the health and water sustainability of the East River (Dongjiang) in South China, which is the source of nearly 80% of Hong Kong's water supply. Field measurements show that the water quality in the upper and middle reaches is generally good and well exceeds the drinking quality standard, with high bio-diversity. The streamflow of the East River Basin is satisfactorily simulated using both the distributed MIKE-SHE model and the lumped HSPF model. With an average streamflow of 760 m3/s, the River is able to satisfy the current water demand. Using the HSPF model, the water quality is found to have deteriorated in recent years. In addition to water supply, the River also supports a variety of needs such as hydro-power generation, waste assimilation, navigation, habitat for aquatic life, and expulsion of sea water intrusion. Using the projected need of 150 m3/s for water supply, the instream flow requirement based on hydrological and water quality simulation is estimated to be 467 m3/s in 2010. This suggests that the water sustainability of the East River requires alternative strategies, which may include integrated water resources management, provision of better wastewater treatment, and water and soil conservation.
Making the connection between healthy waterways and healthy catchments: South East Queensland, Australia
Authors: Bunn S.E. , Abal E.G. , Greenfield P.F. , Tarte D.M.
Published: July 2007

The waterways of South East Queensland, Australia, represent unique and complex ecosystems that have a high conservation value and support major recreational and commercial fisheries. The agricultural districts of the region also contribute significantly to the regional economy and, together with the growing urban areas, are heavily reliant on good quality water supplies. However, the human footprint of these activities has led to significant changes in catchment hydrology and sediment delivery, declining water quality and loss of aquatic biodiversity. Predicted population increases in the region are likely to further impact on the ecological and economic health of its waterways and catchments, and there are growing community expectations to reverse the decline in water quality and ecosystem health. In response to these concerns, government, industry and community stakeholders have worked in close cooperation to develop a whole-of-government, whole-of-community approach to understanding and managing the region's waterways. This paper provides an overview of the experience gained through development of the SEQ Healthy Waterways Partnership and highlights some of the key factors we believe have contributed to its success.
An overview of water resources management of the Pearl River
Authors: Cui W.Z. , Chen J. , Wu Y.P. , Wu Y.D.
Published: July 2007

This paper summarizes the main features of water resources management of the Pearl River basin in southern China. A regulation over the basin through integrating various regions was first established for enhancing the water resources management. Based on such a regulation, a public policy frame was then constructed aiming for the harmony between human activities and nature. It is hoped that, as a result, the basin's socio-economic sustainable development could be achieved. In practice, the Pearl River Water Resources Commission (PRWRC), which is the basin regulatory authority, has been focusing on various aspects of regulating water basin and conserving water resources. These aspects include the development of innovative regulations of treating water, exploration of compensation schemes for water resources prevention, investigation of the hydraulic engineering project impacts on region relocation and ecology, and establishment of marketing schemes for sustainable application of water resources. It is expected that these regulating water resources aspects would result in enhancing public participation and negotiation in the Pearl River basin management. A case study is presented on the PRWRC's effort in coordinating water discharges from a number of reservoirs to protect the safe water supply in the Pearl River basin from seawater intrusion during the dry season.
Modeling the nitrobenzene spill in the Songhua River
Authors: Ren N.Q. , Wang A.J. , Li Z. , Yin L.L. , Lee D.J. , Wang F. , Xin L. , Zhao L.J. , He Z.Y. , Feng Y.J. , Han H.J. , Hong You
Published: July 2007

The Water Quality Analysis Simulation Program (WASP 7.2) developed by the USEPA was employed to simulate the transportation and transformation of nitrobenzene, which was spilled due to an industrial accident, in the Songhua River, northeast of China. The model was first calibrated for the concentration of nitrobenzene in the water column with field data, and then applied to systematically expound the transportation and transformation of nitrobenzene in both water and sediment, and predict its distribution and fate in the multimedia of the River. The concentration profiles of the nitrobenzene in water column simulated the field data satisfactorily. Calculated results indicate that the spilled nitrobenzene was mostly either volatilized or biodegraded. Photolysis and sorption of nitrobenzene by suspended particles as well as benthic sediment were insignificant. Overall, results of this study suggested that the residual nitrobenzene would not seriously contaminate the River. Evaluation on the impacts of the spill was used to support the decision on risk assessment and watershed environmental management for the local government.
Vulnerability of two estuaries to flooding and salinity intrusion
Authors: Ervine D.A. , Bekic D. , Glasson L.
Published: July 2007

This paper explores the vulnerability of two estuaries, the Clyde in Glasgow, Scotland, in the developed world with an established infrastructure, and where finance can be made available for adaption and mitigation. The other is in Gambia, West Africa, where poverty is endemic, the infrastructure undeveloped and where the finances for adaption and mitigation are severely limited. The paper employs a numerical modeling approach, first for the Clyde Estuary in Glasgow with a rich data-set modeled with commercial 1-d and 2-d models, and then the Gambia estuary in West Africa with a very sparse data-set, modeled with a 1-d model and an idealized 3-d CFD model. The paper demonstrates different modeling techniques appropriate to each case and the very different scale of threats, vulnerability and different responses required to ensure greater sustainability in each estuary.
Seawater intrusion and aquifer freshening near reclaimed coastal area of Shenzhen
Authors: Chen K.P. , Jiao J.J.
Published: July 2007

Local groundwater in coastal aquifers in Shenzhen has experienced heavy pumping since the 1980s when it began to expand very quickly from a fishing village to a modern city. Meanwhile, large-scale land reclamation was carried out to meet the needs of various urbanization projects. In this paper we analyzed the groundwater from a coastal aquifer system in Shenzhen and examined the evolution of groundwater chemistry over the last 20 years. The temporal changes of ionic ratios of rCa/(rHCO3 + rSO4) and the relationship between sodium and chloride in the coastal area over this period indicate that the aquifer experienced seawater intrusion in the 1980s but underwent gradual freshening in the 1990s. It is speculated that seawater intrusion was induced by excessive groundwater pumping and that the aquifer freshening was caused both by the recent reduction in groundwater pumping and by coastal reclamation which moved the interface between fresh groundwater and saline groundwater seaward.
Testing the water: molecular tools for microbial assays
Authors: Shibata T. , Rose J.B.
Published: July 2007

Over the past two decades, molecular technologies have been developing rapidly for clinical applications. Recently these tools have begun making significant impacts on environmental monitoring programs. The ability to replicate specific genes using PCR is the most powerful tool to date and has already improved the capability of environmental analysis in order to address emerging societal needs. These tools can be applied for microbial source tracking, analysis of emerging pathogens, disaster responses, and prevention of infectious disease within an integrated risk assessment framework that will enhance decision making within the current limited economic constraints.
Investigation of the hydrodynamic behaviour of particles and aggregates by particle image velocimetry (PIV)
Authors: Xiao F. , Li X.Y. , Lam K.M.
Published: July 2007

An advanced fluid visualisation technique, particle image velocimetry, was employed to investigate the hydrodynamic properties of particles and aggregates. The experiments were conducted in a settling column filled with a suspension of fluorescent polymeric beads as flow tracers. A thin vertical section of the settling column was illuminated by a laser sheet, while the motions of particles were recorded by a high speed CCD camera. Large solid spheres, flocs of latex microspheres and aggregates of marine diatoms were characterised for their hydrodynamic properties. The trajectories of the tracer particles were tracked when a large particle or aggregate settled through the suspension of the tracers, which gave the streamlines surrounding the falling object. The streamlines demonstrate directly the curvilinear feature of the interaction between approaching particles. However, the available curvilinear model underestimates the collision frequency function of particles by one order of magnitude or two. The collision potentials of the flocs and aggregates are more than an order of magnitude greater than the similar-sized solid spheres. Algal aggregates appear to be highly porous and fractal with a fluid collection efficiency of 10–40%, which would significantly enhance the flocculation between particles and the mass transfer into the aggregates.
A random search methodology for examining parametric uncertainty in water quality models
Authors: Osidele O.O. , Zeng W. , Beck M.B.
Published: July 2007

The advent of the modern high-speed digital computer has tremendously enhanced the utility of Monte Carlo methods for evaluating complex environmental simulation models. In particular, random searching is becoming popular, as thousands of model runs can now be executed quickly and with minimal effort. Indeed, the issues of computational burden and inefficiency, hitherto the bane of random searching, are now receding. This paper presents one such method, uniform covering by probabilistic rejection (UCPR), which combines a pure random search with a probabilistic rejection algorithm that significantly enhances its efficiency. Using nearest-neighbor distances, an ensemble of points in a predefined parameter sampling domain migrates to locate and define a final distribution of optimal parameter vectors, thus providing a realistic depiction of parameter uncertainty. In a prototypical case study of the Oconee River (Georgia, USA), UCPR and regionalized sensitivity analysis, are employed for identifying the parameters of sediment-transport-associated nutrient dynamics, a dynamic river water quality model. Results indicate the existence of a complex interactive parameter structure, evidenced by multiple sets of optimal points widely dispersed over a broad domain of feasible parameter values.
Methods to quantify and identify the sources of uncertainty for river basin water quality models
Authors: van Griensven A. , Meixner T.
Published: July 2007

Worldwide, the application of river basin water quality models is increasing, often imposed by law. It is, thus, important to know the degree of uncertainty associated with these models and their application to a specific watershed. These uncertainties lead to errors that are revealed when model outputs are compared to observations. Such uncertainty is typically described by calculating the residuals. However, residuals should not be seen as an estimate of total uncertainty, since through the calibration process, the residuals may be reduced by over-adjustment to the data, which is typically the case for over-parameterised models. Over-adjustment during a calibration period can also lead to highly biased results when the model is applied to other periods or environmental conditions. The total model uncertainties are, therefore, assessed by four components: the sum of the squares of the residuals (SSQ), parameter uncertainties (that can be ignored when their error is much smaller than SSQ), input data uncertainties, and an additional predictive uncertainty that is expressed when the model appears to be biased when it is applied for data other than the data used for calibration. The sources are ranked according to a quantification criterion (magnitude) as well as an identification criterion that depends on the number of observations that are covered by the confidence region. This approach is illustrated with SWAT2003 simulations for flow and sediment of Honey Creek, a tributary of the Sandusky River basin (Ohio). The results show the dominance of the model uncertainty. The input data uncertainty is less important.
Risk- and robustness-based solutions to a multi-objective water distribution system rehabilitation problem under uncertainty
Authors: Kapelan Z. , Savic D.A. , Walters G.A. , Babayan A.V.
Published: July 2007

The water distribution system (WDS) rehabilitation problem is defined here as a multi-objective optimisation problem under uncertainty. Two alternative problem formulations are considered. The first objective in both approaches is to minimise the total rehabilitation cost. The second objective is to either maximise the overall WDS robustness or to minimise the total WDS risk. The WDS robustness is defined as the probability of simultaneously satisfying minimum pressure head constraints at all nodes in the network. Total risk is defined as the sum of nodal risks, where nodal risk is defined as the product of the probability of pressure failure at that node and consequence of such failure. Decision variables are the alternative rehabilitation options for each pipe in the network. The only source of uncertainty is the future water consumption. Uncertain demands are modelled using any probability density functions (PDFs) assigned in the problem formulation phase. The corresponding PDFs of the analysed nodal heads are calculated using the Latin Hypercube sampling technique. The optimal rehabilitation problem is solved using the newly developed rNSGAII method which is a modification of the well-known NSGAII optimisation algorithm. In rNSGAII a small number of demand samples are used for each fitness evaluation leading to significant computational savings when compared to the full sampling approach. The two alternative approaches are tested, verified and their performance compared on the New York tunnels case study. The results obtained demonstrate that both new methodologies are capable of identifying the robust (near) Pareto optimal fronts while making significant computational savings.
Can we assess the model complexity for a bioprocess: theory and example of the anaerobic digestion process
Authors: Bernard O. , Chachuat B. , Hélias A. , Rodriguez J.
Published: July 2007

In this paper we propose a methodology to determine the structure of the pseudo-stoichiometric coefficient matrix K in a mass balance based model, i.e. the maximal number of biomasses that must be taken into account to reproduce an available data set. It consists in estimating the number of reactions that must be taken into account to represent the main mass transfer within the bioreactor. This provides the dimension of K. The method is applied to data from an anaerobic digestion process and shows that even a model including a single biomass is sufficient. Then we apply the same method to the “synthetic data” issued from the complex ADM1 model, showing that the main model features can be obtained with two biomasses.
Identifiability analysis of the CSTR river water quality model
Authors: Chen J. , Deng Y.
Published: July 2007

Conceptual river water quality models are widely known to lack identifiability. The causes for that can be due to model structure errors, observational errors and less frequent samplings. Although significant efforts have been directed towards better identification of river water quality models, it is not clear whether a given model is structurally identifiable. Information is also limited regarding the contribution of different unidentifiability sources. Taking the widely applied CSTR river water quality model as an example, this paper presents a theoretical proof that the CSTR model is indeed structurally identifiable. Its uncertainty is thus dominantly from observational errors and less frequent samplings. Given the current monitoring accuracy and sampling frequency, the unidentifiability from sampling frequency is found to be more significant than that from observational errors. It is also noted that there is a crucial sampling frequency between 0.1 and 1 day, over which the simulated river system could be represented by different illusions and the model application could be far less reliable.