bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Single nucleotide polymorphisms of cytokine genes in the healthy Slovak population
Authors: Javor J. , Bucova M. , Ferencik S. , Grosse‐Wilde H. , Buc M. 
Published: June 2007

SummaryCytokines are molecules that control and modulate the activities of numerous target cells via binding to specific receptors. The observed differences in the cytokine production among individuals can be, at least partially, explained by gene polymorphisms. Several cytokine gene polymorphisms have been identified to play a role in susceptibility to various diseases, including autoimmune, infectious, allergic or cardiovascular diseases.The aim of the current study was to determine allele and genotype frequencies of 22 polymorphisms in 13 cytokine genes in the healthy Slovak population and to compare them with data available from six populations from Central and Southern Europe. A polymerase chain reaction with sequence‐specific primers was used to genotype polymorphisms within genes encoding IL‐1α, IL‐1β, IL‐1R, IL‐1RA, IL‐4Rα, IL‐12, IFN‐γ, TGF‐β, TNF‐α, IL‐2, IL‐4, IL‐6 and IL‐10 in a sample of 140 unrelated Slovak subjects.The allelic distribution of all polymorphisms in the Slovak population was very close to that in the geographically and historically closest populations in Central Europe — the Czech and the Polish. However, several differences were found between the Slovak and four populations from Southern Europe. The obtained data represent a basis for further studies on association of cytokine gene polymorphisms with some diseases.
Influences of MxA gene –88 G/T and IFN‐gamma +874 A/T on the natural history of hepatitis B virus infection in an endemic area
Authors: Peng X. M. , Lei R. X. , Gu L. , Ma H. H. , Xie Q. F. , Gao Z. L. 
Published: June 2007

SummaryThe influence of human genetics on the natural history of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection may be diminished in endemic areas because infection at a young age predisposes to chronic HBV infection. The present study aimed to address this issue through the determination of the influences of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of myxovirus resistence‐1 (MxA) –88 G/T and interferon (IFN)‐gamma +874 A/T on the natural history of HBV infection in endemic regions.One hundred adult patients with self‐limiting HBV infection (positive for both anti‐HBs and anti‐HBc) and 340 adult patients with persistent HBV infection were recruited from southern China, an endemic area with an HBsAg carrier rate of 17.8%. SNPs of MxA –88 G/T and interferon (IFN)‐gamma +874 A/T were typed using a protocol based on competitively differentiated polymerase chain reaction. A highly significant difference in the distribution of MxA –88 G/T was observed between those with persistent and self‐limiting HBV infections. The latter displayed a lower frequency of the GG genotype (41.0% vs. 52.9%, P = 0.036) and a higher frequency of the TT genotype (16.0% vs. 2.4%, P = 0.000), compared to patients with persistent infection. These differences were not gender‐ or age‐specific. However, a significant distribution difference of IFN‐gamma +874 A/T was not observed. Between two groups of patients, respectively, the distribution frequencies of the AA genotype (65.0% vs. 72.8%, P = 0.139) and the TT genotype (2.0% vs. 1.2%, P = 0.894) were found. These results suggest that MxA gene –88 G/T and IFN‐gamma +874 A/T behave differently in endemic HBV infections. Further study is necessary to clarify the influences of human genetics on endemic HBV infections.
HLA analysis of Sri Lankan Sinhalese predicts North Indian origin
Authors: Malavige G. N. , Rostron T. , Seneviratne S. L. , Fernando S. , Sivayogan S. , Wijewickrama A. , Ogg G. S. 
Published: June 2007

SummaryThe origin of the Sinhalese population of Sri Lanka is debated. We subtyped HLA‐A*02 in 101 Sinhalese and observed a preponderance of the rare allele HLA‐A*0211 which was similar to reported frequencies in northern India. Taken with low‐resolution typing for the remaining A, B, C, DR and DQ alleles, these data suggest a North Indian origin for the Sri Lankan Sinhalese.
EFFECT OF PROCESSING ON SOME CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS OF PISTACHIO NUTS
Authors: LUH B. S. , WONG W. S. , EL‐SHIMI N. E. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACT.The effect of processing on changes in fatty acids, sugars and amino acids in pistaschio nuts during blanching, drying and roasting was monitored. Blanching in hot water led to some loss in fatty acids, sugars and amino acids. Roasting further decreased the availability of the constituents. The magnitude of loss of the constituents was in the following order: blanching > roasting > drying. The composition profile of each of the constituents was analyzed. There was variation in the distribution of fatty acids among the raw and processed nuts. Unsaturated fatty acids were more susceptible to changes during processing. The combined loss of oleic and linoleic acids amounted to 22.29% of that present in the raw nuts. Fructose, glucose, sucrose and raffinose were shown to be present in the nuts. The loss of sucrose was higher than the monosaccharides during processing. Glutamic acid, leucine, proline 56.50% of the amino acids present, and blanching, drying and roasting successively caused losses in the availability of these amino acids.The effect of processing on nutritional values has been a subject of concern to consumers and food processors. The present investigation reveals that the loss in various components in the nuts deserves more attention.
A COMPARISON OF SOME DYNAMIC, LINEAR AND POLICY ITERATION METHODS FOR RESERVOIR OPERATION1
Authors: Louoks D. P. , Falkson L. M. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTWithin the past few years, a number of papers have been published in which stochastic mathematical programming models, incorporating first order Markov chains, have been used to derive alternative sequential operating policies for a multiple purpose reservoir. This paper attempts to review and compare three such mathematical modeling and solution techniques, namely dynamic programming, policy iteration, and linear programming. It is assumed that the flows into the reservoir are serially correlated stochastic quantities. The design parameters are assumed fixed, i.e., the reservoir capacity and the storage and release targets, if any, are predetermined. The models are discrete since the continuous variables of time, volume, and flow are approximated by discrete units. The problem is to derive an optimal operating policy. Such a policy defines the reservoir release as a function of the current storage volume and inflow. The form of the solution and some of the advantages, limitations and computational efficiencies of each of the models and their algorithms are compared using a simplified numerical example.
MODEL STUDIES OF SALT WATER INTRUSION1
Authors: Kashef Abdel‐Aziz I. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTModel studies were and are still being used to verify certain theories in ground‐water flow systems in general. In complex cases, the model studies may be extremely useful especially when a theoretical rigorous analysis does not exist. The models cannot be considered entirely satisfactory due to the several drawbacks in each type in addition to the normal human errors in experimentation. This paper is concerned only with the viscous flow models. However, a brief summary of the other types of models, which may possibly be used in connection with salt water intrusion problems is given. It should be noted that some of such experiments are not directly related to the field of salt water intrusion. Two main types lie within this category: The gravity flow systems which are analogous to some phases of salt intrusion problems and problems in oil fields which bear general similarities to sea water intrusion zones. In oil fields, gas cycling studies give valuable information to sea water problems. Model studies are used by hydraulic engineers, geologists, petroleum engineers, physicists, foundation engineers and several other professional groups.
GROUNDWATER FLOW SYSTEM ANALYSIS IN LAKE ENVIRONMENTS, WITH MANAGEMENT AND PLANNING IMPLICATIONS1
Authors: Stephenson David A. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACT. Evaluation of lakes as they are related to groundwater flow systems is of special concern prior to efficient development and planning operations. Both naturally occurring and artificially created lakes are being developed rapidly as recreational and residential areas. Simultaneously, field verification of theoretical groundwater flow system behavior has progressed to the point where hydrogeologists trained to understand basic concepts of flow‐system analysis can begin to broaden their research and service base, and to work closer with planners, developers, and engineers. It is suggested that particular efforts be directed toward a greater evaluation of physical, chemical, and biological aspects of potentially developable lake sites to aid in selecting use patterns in accord with these factors. Many lake developments are not in harmony with the physical environment. The resulting misuse of resources is often expressed as accelerated eutrophication of lakes, or by quality degradation of shallow groundwater flow systems contiguous to them. Lakes can no longer be considered as separate entities. Methodology for investigating the interchange of surface and near‐surface water is adequate however, the application of known interchange relationships is inadequate..
DIGITAL SIMULATION OF THE EFFECT OF THERMAL DISCHARGE ON STREAM WATER QUALITY1
Authors: Lin S. H. , Fan L. T. , Hwang C. L. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTA modified transient version of the Streeter‐Phelps model along with the energy balance equation is employed to analyze the effects of waste heat discharge from power plants on stream water quality. Analysis is also made to examine the effects of the upstream water quality and stream velocity on the downstream DO concentration level. The resulting coupled nonlinear hyperbolic partial differential equations representing the energy, BOD and DO concentrations are solved by the method of characteristics and simulated on a digital computer. Final numerical results indicate that the allowable quantity of thermal discharge does heavily depend on the upstream quality.
DETECTION OF FRESH WATER AQUIFERS IN THE GLACIAL DEPOSITS OF NORTHWESTERN MISSOURI BY GEOELECTRICAL METHODS1
Authors: Frohlich Reinhard K. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTGeoelectrical investigations in Grundy County of northwestern Missouri, where the groundwater resources of the glacial deposits have already been examined through an extensive drilling program by the Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources, indicate that water‐bearing gravel deposits can be distinguished from glacial deposits containing appreciable amounts of clay and limited amounts of water. The Schlumberger method used for the geoelectric depth soundings in the vicinity of the Survey's drillholes demonstrates the exploratory usefulness of the method in that it can partly replace the more expensive procedure of drilling. The method also provides improved interpretation between drillholes. Results of the investigation show that, in the area, clay has a resistivity below 20in, that the fresh water‐bearing gravel at the bottom of the buried glacial stream channels has a resisitivity of 40 to 50fim, and that the near surface glacial gravel deposits have a resistivity above lOOfim. Interpretation of the depth soundings and the conductivity of water obtained from a local well implies that its water is drawn from the saline water of the bedrock. A recommendation is made for the quality improvement of this particular well.
POLLUTANT REMOVAL FROM COAL‐ASH BASIN EFFLUENT1
Authors: Guthrie Rufus K. , Cherry Donald S. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACT: The drainage system for an ash basin serving a coal‐fired power plant at the Savannah River Project, Aiken, South Carolina, has been studied for 15 months to determine abiotic and biotic characteristics and mechanisms of pollutant removal. Measurements made included temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity, alkalinity, conductance, flow rate, sulfate, nitrate, and phosphate. In addition, neutron activation analysis was employed to determine concentrations of 40 chemical elements in water, benthos, bacterial, plant, invertebrate, and vertebrate samples collected at six sampling stations. Five‐day toxicity tests were performed using organisms from within and from outside the system.Conductance, pH, alkalinity and sulfate concentration varied little throughout the system. Temperature, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, nitrate, phosphate, and flow rate decreased at stations farther removed from the ash basin.Concentrations of most chemical elements measured were greatest in benthos (75 percent of total) and least in water (less than one percent of total), indicating that a major removal mechanism was sedimentation of suspended particulate matter. Eight elements (Br, Ca, C1, Cd, Na, Sb, Se, and Zn) were more highly concentrated in one or more biotic forms than in benthos. Among heavy metals only Cr was concentrated to a greater extent by plants than by animals. Midges were the greatest concentrators of Fe, Cu, Cr, Hg, Co, Sb, and As among all organisms. Plants concentrated only 15 percent of the total heavy metal concentration found in the benthos.Light, metals were more highly concentrated in animals than in plants, although all plants were found to possess 19 percent of the concentration present in the benthos and water. As and Sb were in low concentration within the system; however, on a percentage basis, these potentially toxic elements were relatively highly concentrated by a number of organisms. Active metals (Ca, Na, and K) and halogens (CI, Br, and I) were highly concentrated by most organisms. Active metals were more concentrated in crayfish and mosquito fish, Gambusia affinis, than in benthos, whereas most organisms had higher concentrations of halogens than were found in benthic sediments. Primary producers within the system were least efficient in concentration of all elements except Mn. Consumers (invertebrates and vertebrates) were found to possess highest concentrations of all other elements.Organisms found within the drainage system were observed to be able to survive a five‐day toxicity test at any point within the system, whereas organisms not existing within the system were observed to vary in their resistance to the drainage system environment.The findings of this study demonstrate the necessity for the operation of entire food chains in pollutant removal and indicate potential means for increasing cycling efficiency by selective addition of resistant consumers to such a system.
AN EVAPORATION EQUATION FOR AN OPEN BODY OF WATER EXPOSED TO THE ATMOSPHERE1
Authors: Goodling J. S. , Sill B. L. , McCabe W. J. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACT Evaporation is identified as having two additive components: natural evaporation in the absence of wind and forced evaporation in the presence of wind. An evaporation equation is obtained for an open body of water exposed at the atmosphere by conversion of standard horizontal flat plate heat transfer relationships to a mass transfer or evaporation equation. For an average air temperature of 68°F, the final equation for evaporative heat flux is
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A comparison of numerical values predicted by the above equation is made with evaporation equations deduced from field measurements, and the agreement is favorable. The major differences between this equation and those previously developed are: a) the above equation was derived strictly from standard heat transfer expressions, and b) a dependency of average fetch and air temperature (through transport properties) is shown. This approach establishes the correct dependencies of the field parameters so that future experimental measurements will have a sound theoretical basis.
USING COMPUTED STREAM FLOW IN WATERSHED ANALYSIS1
Authors: Mather John R. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTModifications in the computed climatic water budget have made it possible to achieve good agreement between computed and measured stream flow on both a monthly and annual basis in basins without appreciable winter snow cover. Comparisons of computed and measured stream flow in 28 basins on the Delmarva peninsula show that for some basins the agreement is excellent (regression line essentially equals unity), for other basins the regression line has a slope of one but it is displaced above or below the y=x line, while for other basins, the slope of the regression line differs appreciably from unity. Study of the basins where agreement between computed and measured values is only fair to poor reveals that the patterns of disagreement can be used to provide information on the water holding capacity in the root zone of the soil, on the quantity of deep aquifer recharge within the basin, or on the effect of human modifications within the basin. The technique should also reveal the quantity of interbasin transfers or other consumptive uses within the basin. The water budget, thus, becomes a useful tool to study hydrologic characteristics or their changes over time within a basin.
REGIONALIZATION AND PREDICTION OF ANNUAL FLOODS IN THE FRASER RIVER CATCHMENT, BRITISH COLUMBIA1
Authors: Waylen Peter , Woo Ming‐ko 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTA method of predicting probability distributions of annual floods is presented and is applied to the Fraser River catchment of British Columbia. The Gumbel distribution is found to adequately describe the observed flood frequency data. Using the estimated Gumbel parameters, discriminant analysis is performed to separate basins into flood regions. Within each region, regression analysis is used to relate physiographic and climatic variables to the means and standard deviations of the annual flood series. The regression equations are applied to four test basins and the results indicate that the method is suitable for an estimation of annual floods.
BENEFITS FROM WATER CONSERVATION DEPEND ON COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING1
Authors: Maier Walter J. , DeZellar Jeffrey , Miller Raina M. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACT: Substantial reductions in municipal water use are feasible without reducing the quality of life. If conservation measures are preplanned, properly engineered, and coordinated, reductions in utility bills for water, waste water, and energy are estimated at $30+per person per year. Installation of devices to reduce water use, engineering plans to prevent malfunctioning of collecting sewers, and engineered process modifications of treatment facilities must be coordinated to achieve full benefits of water conservation. Pollutant discharges to the aquatic environment are reduced in direct proportion to the reduction in water use.
A NEW SEDIMENT TRAP EFFICIENCY CURVE FOR SMALL RESERVOIRS1
Authors: Heinemarm H. G. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTThe reservoir sediment, trap efficiency value is the most informative single description of a reservoir. This value is the proportion of the incoming sediment that is deposited or trapped in the reservoir, usually expressed in percent. It conveys information on what happens to most of the sediment coming into the reservoir and is indicative of the reservoir's useful life. Since Brune's (1953) report very little research progress has been made on this important reservoir design factor in the last 25 years. This is primarily because of the lack of adequate reservoir sediment, trap efficiency data. Worthwhile data for analysis exists on only 20 ponded reservoirs in the U.S., in the size category usually built by agricultural interests. By analyzing available information on these 20 reservoirs, a new trap efficiency curve, which is slightly different from the one used for the last 25 years, was developed. Use of this new trap efficiency curve could mean a reduction in some reservoirs of 4–10 percent in the volume allocated to sediment storage.
THROUGHFALL IN PLANTED STANDS OF FOUR SOUTHERN PINE SPECIES IN EAST TEXAS1
Authors: II Frank A. Roth , Chang Mingteh 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTThroughfall was measured during 1978–79 beneath the canopies of adjacent stands of four major southern pine species, all on identical soil type and topography in the Stephen F. Austin Experimental Forest. Observations from 44 storms in a randomized network of 15, 5.08 cm PVC gages in a 0.4 ha plot of each species showed that throughfall expressed as percent of storm precipitation, is greatest under longleaf pine and least under loblolly pine; throughfall under shortleaf and slash pine did not differ significantly. Generally, through‐fall decreased with storm size and intensity, with distance from the nearest tree stem, and is greater during summer half‐year (May–October). Canopy drips, apparently accounting for the greater throughfall for the gage position closer to the stems, were more numerous than reported elsewhere. The 5.08 cm PVC gages proved to be acceptable substitutes for standard nonrecording gages in measuring throughfall. A network of 15 such gages was sufficient to sample throughfall data with 90 percent accuracy in each of the four southern pine plantations.
A FUZZY SETS MODEL FOR MEASURING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN WATER RESOURCES PLANNING1
Authors: Esogbue Augustine O. , Ahipo Zikehi M. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACT:Mathematical modeling of complex water resources System problems, particularly water pollution control, is aided by fizzy set theory. Public participation in large scale federally funded water resources and pollution control projects is now a federal requirement and practice of various planning agencies. However, no systems based model for quantifying and measuring the effectiveness of public participation is known to exist. In this paper, we report a fuzzy set based model developed for doing this in areawide water resources planning The model is essentially cascade in nature and employs the concepts of fuzzy pessimistic and optimistic aggregations to cluster and analyze the evaluations of the basic factors. Sample computations of the model are provided.
COMPARISON OF METHODS TO ESTIMATE DEEP PERCOLATION RATES1
Authors: Sammis Theodore W. , Evans Daniel D. , Warrick A. W. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACT: Deep percolation rates are normally estimated from a water balance. Results are presented of a study undertaken to evaluate three alternative methods of estimating percolation below the root zone when knowledge about the history of applied water and evapotranspiration are not available. The alternative methods are: 1) use of Darcy's equation to calculate deep percolation rate; 2) measurement of the soil temperature prof and calculation of the deep percolation rate from the shape of the temperature depth curve; and 3) measurement of the tritium concentration in the soil water and its relationship to the history of the tritium concentration in rainfall.At the principal study site, the Darcy velocity of flow ranged from 9 cm per year determined by the temperature method, to 40 cm per year determined by the tritium method. Darcy's equation to calculate seepage rates resulted in an estimation of deep seepage of 18 cm per year. An average deep percolation rate at the principal study site of 22 cm per year was determined using the average of all three methods. Results for other sites based on the temperature method indicated a lower seepage rate.
RECREATION AT DRINKING WATER RESERVOIRS IN MASSACHUSETTS: A SURVEY OF WATER MANAGERS1
Authors: Klar Lawrence R. , Ghirin Aldo 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to identify attitudes toward the recreational use of drinking water reservoirs in Massachusetts among municipal water supply managers in the state. Compared to the findings of recent studies assessing the attitudes of the general public, water officials were found to advocate highly restrictive views. No officials said that recreation was an insignificant source of water supply pollution; however, opinions were not found to be related to respondents' exposure to the literature on the topic. The majority were not, in fact, familiar with the literature assessing the impact of recreation on water supply reservoirs.