bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Use of multi‐platform, multi‐temporal remote‐sensing data for calibration of a distributed hydrological model: an application in the Arno basin, Italy
Authors: Campo Lorenzo , Caparrini Francesca , Castelli Fabio 
Published: April 2006

AbstractImages from satellite platforms are a valid aid in order to obtain distributed information about hydrological surface states and parameters needed in calibration and validation of the water balance and flood forecasting. Remotely sensed data are easily available on large areas and with a frequency compatible with land cover changes. In this paper, remotely sensed images from different types of sensor have been utilized as a support to the calibration of the distributed hydrological model MOBIDIC, currently used in the experimental system of flood forecasting of the Arno River Basin Authority. Six radar images from ERS‐2 synthetic aperture radar (SAR) sensors (three for summer 2002 and three for spring–summer 2003) have been utilized and a relationship between soil saturation indexes and backscatter coefficient from SAR images has been investigated. Analysis has been performed only on pixels with meagre or no vegetation cover, in order to legitimize the assumption that water content of the soil is the main variable that influences the backscatter coefficient. Such pixels have been obtained by considering vegetation indexes (NDVI) and land cover maps produced by optical sensors (Landsat‐ETM). In order to calibrate the soil moisture model based on information provided by SAR images, an optimization algorithm has been utilized to minimize the regression error between saturation indexes from model and SAR data and error between measured and modelled discharge flows. Utilizing this procedure, model parameters that rule soil moisture fluxes have been calibrated, obtaining not only a good match with remotely sensed data, but also an enhancement of model performance in flow prediction with respect to a previous calibration with river discharge data only. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hydrological processes controlling ground and surface water flow from a hypermaritime forest–peatland complex, Diana Lake Provincial Park, British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Emili Lisa A. , Price Jonathan S. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractThe proposed harvesting of previously undeveloped forests in north coastal British Columbia requires an understanding of hydrological responses. Hydrometric and isotopic techniques were used to examine the hydrological linkages between meteoric inputs to the surface‐groundwater system and runoff response patterns of a forest‐peatland complex. Quickflow accounted for 72–91% of peak storm discharge. The runoff ratio was lowest for open peatland areas with thick organic horizons (0·02–0·05) due to low topographic gradients and many surface depressions capable of retaining surface water. Runoff ratio increased comparatively for ephemeral surface seep flows (0·06–0·40) and was greatest in steeply sloping forest communities with more permeable soils (0·33–0·69). The dominant mechanism for runoff generation was saturated shallow subsurface flow. Groundwater fluxes from the organic horizon of seeps (1·70–1·72 m3 day−1 m−1) were an important component of quickflow. The homogeneous δ2Hδ18O composition of groundwater indicated attenuation of the seasonal rainfall signal by mixing during recharge. The positive correlation (r2 = 0·64 and 0·38, α = 0·05) between slope index and δ18O values in groundwater suggests that the spatial pattern in the δ18O composition along the forest‐peatland complex is influenced by topography and provides evidence that topographic indices may be used to predict groundwater residence time. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A process‐based transfer function approach to model tile‐drain hydrographs
Authors: Arabi Mazdak , Stillman Jennifer S. , Govindaraju Rao S. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractTile‐drain response to rainfall events is determined by unsaturated vertical flow to the water table, followed by horizontal saturated water movement. In this study, unsaturated vertical movement from the redistribution of water is modelled using a sharp‐front approximation, and the saturated horizontal flow is modelled by an approximate solution to the Boussinesq equation. The unsaturated flow component models the fast response that is associated with the presence of preferential flow paths. By convoluting the responses of the two components, a transfer function is developed that predicts tile‐drain response to unit amounts of infiltrated water. It is observed that the unsaturated flow component can be cast in a form that is linear in a power function of the infiltrated depth. Since the approach is process based, model parameter definitions are easily identified with soil properties at the field scale. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that the transfer function model parameters can be estimated from moment analysis. Using superposition, the transient tile‐drain response to arbitrary amounts of infiltrated water can be constructed. Comparison with data measured from the Water Quality Field Station show that this approach provides a promising method for generating tile‐drain response to rainfall events. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Spatial and temporal variability in the concentration and speciation of metals in suspended sediment transported by the River Aire, Yorkshire, UK
Authors: Carter Julie , Walling Desmond E. , Owens Philip N. , Leeks Graham J. L. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractIn recent years, there has been an increasing awareness of the important role of fine sediment in the transport and storage of metals in fluvial systems. However, there has been little research on the behaviour of contaminated sediment in industrial rivers in the UK. This paper examines spatial and temporal variations in the concentration and speciation of lead, copper and chromium associated with suspended sediment in the River Aire in Yorkshire, UK. An increase in the total concentration of all three metals in sediment was identified in the lower reaches, which reflected inputs of road dust, sewage and industrial effluents. Spatial variations in the chemical speciation of the metals were also identified. The iron–manganese oxides and organic fractions were the most significant for the adsorption of metals by sediment. Both the concentrations and speciation of sediment‐associated metals exhibited substantial temporal variation. Such variation reflected the accumulation of metals and organic matter on the river‐bed during low flows, the subsequent remobilization of the sediment at high flows and the additional supply of sediment from uncontaminated and contaminated sources, including pulse inputs of road dust, sewage and industrial effluent. The findings presented have important implications for the development of effective catchment management strategies for the control of point‐ and diffuse‐source pollution. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Determination of the force necessary for the propagation of tears in ostrich and calf pericardium
Authors: Páez José María García , Carrera Antonio , Jorge Eduardo , Millán Isabel , Cordón Angeles , Maestro María A. , Rocha Aurora , Morales S. , Castillo‐Olivares José Luis 
Published: April 2006

AbstractThe durability of prosthetic heart valve leaflets made of biological materials is limited. A tear in the biomaterial accelerates their early failure, but microtearing of the collagen fibers may be responsible for their medium‐term failure. We studied the force necessary to propagate tearing in two biomaterials: ostrich and calf pericardium. One hundred twenty samples of each tissue were tested in an Elmendorf pendulum capable of measuring the force required to tear a tissue in which a predefined slit had been made. The forces required to produce tears, ranging between 2.5 and 0.25 cm in length, were determined. For ostrich pericardium, this force ranged between 67.67 and 4.80 newton, while that required to tear the same lengths of calf pericardium ranged between 70.67 and 4.70 newton. The function that relates the tearing force to the length of the tear was expressed as follows: y = 20.62x + 1.77x2 (R2 = 0.923) for ostrich pericardium and y = 45.57x − 7.21x2 (R2 = 0.936) for calf pericardium, where y is the force in newton and x is the length in centimeter. Calf pericardium was found to have a greater resistance to tearing. However, these results should be interpreted with caution owing to the fact that the thickness of the majority of the samples of ostrich pericardium was significantly less than that of calf pericardium. A more careful selection and utilization of adult ostrich pericardium would probably improve these results. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2006
Ionic liquid‐derived blood‐compatible composite membranes for kidney dialysis
Authors: Murugesan Saravanababu , Mousa Shaker , Vijayaraghavan Aravind , Ajayan Pulickel M. , Linhardt Robert J. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractA novel heparin‐ and cellulose‐based biocomposite is fabricated by exploiting the enhanced dissolution of polysaccharides in room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs). This represents the first reported example of using a new class of solvents, RTILs, to fabricate blood‐compatible biomaterials. Using this approach, it is possible to fabricate the biomaterials in any form, such as films or membranes, fibers (nanometer‐ or micron‐sized), spheres (nanometer‐ or micron‐sized), or any shape using templates. In this work, we have evaluated a membrane film of this composite. Surface morphological studies on this biocomposite film showed the uniformly distributed presence of heparin throughout the cellulose matrix. Activated partial thromboplastin time and thromboelastography demonstrate that this composite is superior to other existing heparinized biomaterials in preventing clot formation in human blood plasma and in human whole blood. Membranes made of these composites allow the passage of urea while retaining albumin, representing a promising blood‐compatible biomaterial for renal dialysis, with a possibility of eliminating the systemic administration of heparin to the patients undergoing renal dialysis. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2006
Recovery of oleate‐inhibited anaerobic digestion by addition of simple substrates
Authors: Kuang Yunhua , Pullammanappallil Pratap , Lepesteur Muriel , Ho Goen E 
Published: April 2006

AbstractFour laboratory‐scale anaerobic digesters were deliberately and completely inhibited by feeding sodium oleate to such an extent that no methane was produced from the digesters. Three of them were then respectively fed glucose, cysteine or glucose and cysteine along with sodium oleate, while the remaining digester was operated as control reactor and continued to be fed with only sodium oleate. Oligonucleotide probes ARC915, EUB338, MB310, MC1109, MSMX860 and MG1200 were used to target and quantify specific groups of microbes, Archaea, Bacteria, Methanobacteriales, Methanococcales, Methanosarcinaceae, and Methanomicrobiaceae, Methanocorpusculaceae and Methanoplanaceae respectively throughout the operation of reactors. Addition of glucose and/or cysteine assisted with the recovery of methane production from oleate inhibition. The addition of glucose was more effective than cysteine, while the combination of glucose and cysteine was most effective on this recovery. The addition of these substrates also stimulated the degradation of oleate in the reactor. Daily methane production from the digesters correlated negatively with residual oleate concentration and positively with Archaea counts. Addition of glucose was more effective than cysteine on increasing the number of Archaea cells, while cysteine was more effective in increasing the number of Bacteria cells. All microbial populations recovered to pre‐inhibition levels within 40 days when glucose together with cysteine was fed. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
Simulating air temperature in an urban street canyon in all weather conditions using measured data at a reference meteorological station
Authors: Erell E. , Williamson T. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractA model is proposed that adapts data from a standard meteorological station to provide realistic site‐specific air temperature in a city street exposed to the same meso‐scale environment. In addition to a rudimentary description of the two sites, the canyon air temperature (CAT) model requires only inputs measured at standard weather stations; yet it is capable of accurately predicting the evolution of air temperature in all weather conditions for extended periods. It simulates the effect of urban geometry on radiant exchange; the effect of moisture availability on latent heat flux; energy stored in the ground and in building surfaces; air flow in the street based on wind above roof height; and the sensible heat flux from individual surfaces and from the street canyon as a whole. The CAT model has been tested on field data measured in a monitoring program carried out in Adelaide, Australia, in 2000–2001. After calibrating the model, predicted air temperature correlated well with measured data in all weather conditions over extended periods. The experimental validation provides additional evidence in support of a number of parameterisation schemes incorporated in the model to account for sensible heat and storage flux. Copyright © 2006 Royal Meteorological Society
Simultaneous determination of eight biologically active thiol compounds using gradient elution‐liquid chromatography with Coul‐Array detection
Authors: Petrlova Jitka , Mikelova Radka , Stejskal Karel , Kleckerova Andrea , Zitka Ondrej , Petrek Jiri , Havel Ladislav , Zehnalek Josef , Adam Vojtech , Trnkova Libuse , Kizek Rene 
Published: April 2006

AbstractThe most active form of sulfur in biomolecules is the thiol group, present in a number of biologically active compounds. Here we present a comprehensive study of thiol analysis using flow injection analysis/HPLC with electrochemical detection. The effect of different potentials of working electrodes, of organic solvent contents in the mobile phase, and of isocratic and gradient elution on simultaneous determination of thiol compounds (cysteine, cystine, N‐acetylcysteine, homocysteine, reduced and oxidised glutathione, desglycinephytochelatin, and phytochelatins) are described and discussed. These thiol compounds were well separated and detected under optimised HPLC‐electrochemical detection conditions (mobile phase: 80 mM trifluoroacetic acid and methanol with a gradient profile starting at 97 : 3 (TFA : methanol), kept constant for the first 8 min, then decreasing to 85 : 15 during one minute, kept constant for 8 min, and finally increasing linearly up to 97 : 3 from 17 to 18 min; the flow rate was 0.8 mL/min, column and detector temperature 25°C, and the electrode potential 900 mV). We were able to determine tens of femtomoles (3 S/N) of the thiols per injection (5 μL), except for phytochelatin5 whose detection limit was 2.1 pmole. This technique was consequently used for simultaneous determination of compounds of interest in biological samples (maize tissue and human blood serum).
Exploring conspicuousness in the context of donation behaviour
Authors: Grace Debra , Griffin Deborah 
Published: April 2006

Abstract

The study of donation behaviour has been significant in recent years as charitable organisations realise the value of marketing strategies in order for growth and survival. Consequently, in recent years the growing trend, to increase awareness of charities and generate much‐needed funds, has been the sale of empathy ribbons and the like (e.g. red noses etc.). However, it is argued that the motivation behind the purchase of empathy ribbons is largely ostentatious rather than altruistic and, thus, is viewed under the broader umbrella of ‘conspicuous compassion’ (West, 2004). As such, this paper documents a conceptualization of monetary donation behaviour which we term ‘conspicuous donation behaviour’ and, in doing so, we provide a number of research propositions which pre‐empt new avenues for future research.

Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An investigation into the values dimensions of branding: implications for the charity sector
Authors: Stride Helen 
Published: April 2006

Abstract

Branding is being adopted by charities and written about in academic and practitioner charity literature with increasing frequency. There is also growing concern, however, about the over‐commercialistion of the sector and the misappropriation of techniques developed specifically for the commercial environment. Literature supporting the claim that charities are values‐based organisations is reviewed and the proposition is made that it is in fact the non‐negotiability of charity values that differentiate them from commercial organisations. Given the significance of values in the charity sector, the paper argues that a clearer understanding of how values are conceptualised in branding is necessary in order to establish whether branding is an appropriate and effective tool in the charity context. To achieve this, the paper reviews relevant branding literature focusing in particular upon the delineation of the values dimensions identified in for‐profit branding models. To aid further understanding of these values dimensions in the non‐profit context and their applicability (or otherwise) to it, the metaphors of brand as ‘mirror’, ‘lamp’ and ‘lens’ are introduced.

It is argued that in the corporate sector the brand concept has been utilised to ‘mirror’ those values that underpin the needs and desires of consumers. In contrast to the passive mirror, when operationalised as ‘lamp’, it is claimed that the brand aims to influence both the values of the organisation and the values of its target audience. It is postulated that neither of these approaches is appropriate for values‐led organisations and that it is only as a metaphorical ‘lens’, projecting the values of the organisation itself that branding offers an applicable and effective model in the charity context.

Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Maternal age‐specific fetal loss rates in Down syndrome pregnancies
Authors: Savva George M. , Morris Joan K. , Mutton David E. , Alberman Eva 
Published: April 2006

AbstractObjectivesPregnancies affected by Down syndrome (DS) have a greater risk of spontaneous fetal loss than those that are unaffected. In this article, we investigate the relationship between maternal age and the risk of spontaneous fetal loss in DS pregnancies.MethodsFetal loss at different maternal ages were estimated by survival analysis using follow‐up of 5177 prenatally diagnosed cases. The maternal age effect on loss rate was subsequently confirmed by a re‐analysis of published comparisons of the maternal age‐specific prevalence of DS at different gestational ages.ResultsThe average fetal loss rate between the time of chorionic villus sampling (CVS) and term was 32% (95% CI: 26–38), increasing from 23% (95% CI: 16–31) for women aged 25 to 44% (33–56) for women aged 45. The average fetal loss rate between the time of amniocentesis and term was 25% (21–31), increasing from 19% (14–27) to 33% (26–45) across the same age range.ConclusionThe fetal loss rate in DS pregnancies increases with maternal age, and this has consequences when estimating the live birth prevalence of DS in the presence of prenatal diagnosis and termination, and when assessing the performance of prenatal screening techniques. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Measurement of changes in antihypertensive drug utilisation following primary care educational interventions
Authors: Horn Fiona E. , Mandryk John A. , Mackson Judith M. , Wutzke Sonia E. , Weekes Lynn M. , Hyndman Rob J. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractPurposeTo measure changes in drug utilisation following a national general practice education program aimed at improving prescribing for hypertension.MethodsA series of nationally implemented, multifaceted educational interventions using social marketing principles focusing on prescribing for hypertension, was commenced in October 1999, and repeated in September 2001and August 2003. The target group was all primary care prescribers in Australia and interventions were both active (voluntary) and passive. Newsletter and prescribing feedback was mailed in October 1999, September 2001 (newsletter only) and August 2003. Approximately a third of general practitioners (GPs) in Australia undertook at least one active educational activity (clinical audit, educational visit or case study) during the period October 1999–April 2004. National dispensing data from 1996 to 2004 were analysed using time series methodology with a decay term for intervention effect, to assess trends in prescribing of various classes of antihypertensives. In particular, the program aimed to increase the prescribing of thiazide diuretics and beta blockers.ResultsConsistent with key intervention messages, the program achieved an increase in low‐dose thiazide and beta blocker prescribing. The rate of prescribing of low‐dose thiazides doubled from 1.1 per 1000 consultations in October 1999 to 2.4 per 1000 in October 2003. Beta‐blocker utilisation showed a more modest but significant increase over the time of the study, with the change in observed versus expected rate of prescribing increasing by 8% by April 2004. Therapeutic options for treating hypertension changed markedly in the time of the study with the advent of ACE inhibitor/Angiotensin II receptor antagonists and thiazide combination products. It is important, therefore, to interpret the results in light of these changes.ConclusionA national education program aimed at GPs was successful in improving prescribing for hypertension. Lessons learned will be applied in evaluation of future NPS programs and are also applicable to analysis of other interventions aimed at influencing prescribing behaviour. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Calcium borate flame retardation system for epoxy molding compounds
Authors: Ishii Toshiaki , Kokaku Hiroyoshi , Nagai Akira , Nishita Takafumi , Kakimoto Masaaki 
Published: April 2006

AbstractA new flame retardation system for epoxy molding compounds was investigated for application to semiconductor packaging. By adding a small volume of calcium borate as a flame retardant, the flammability of the epoxy molding compound decreased. The flammability was not decreased proportionally with the volume of calcium borate. To further enhance flammability, an excess amount of phenolic resin was added to the epoxy molding compound. With the effects of calcium oxide and the excess phenolic resin, we developed an epoxy molding compound which has a flame‐retardant level sufficient to satisfy the V‐0 classification of the UL94 rating. We also found that calcium oxide in the calcium borate accelerates the curing reaction of epoxy compounds due to its absorption of water from the phenolic resin hardener. Calcium hydroxide formed from calcium oxide and water was also considered to contribute to the decrease in flammability by releasing water at high temperatures. The flame retardation mechanism of this developed epoxy compound is also discussed. Finally, the developed epoxy compound was proved to have suitable moldability, mechanical properties, and durability for use as semiconductor packaging. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 46:799–806, 2006. © 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers