bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
PREDICTIVE ASSESSMENT OF SEVERITY OF AGRICULTURAL DROUGHTS BASED ON AGRO‐CLIMATIC FACTORS1
Authors: Kumar V. , Panu U. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACT: Past historical evidence indicates that droughts have had great impacts on human life. Drought (or scarcity of water) is assessed based on two key factors, namely, the estimated water demand, and the expected water supply. The formulation of these key factors for a region largely depends on the agro‐climatic and economic conditions. Consideration of one such key factor is the relationship between the crop yield and water deficit in the assessment and prediction of agricultural droughts. The varying nature of this relationship from crop to crop adds to the complexity of agricultural drought analysis. To overcome this difficulty in analyzing agricultural droughts of a region, it is adequate to consider and place emphasis on a single crop (i.e., an index crop) grown homogeneously over the major area of the region. From one year to another year, the pattern of water requirement during the growing season of an index crop is rather stationary, and the water supply in arid and semi‐arid area is mainly from seasonal random precipitation. In a region, grain yield of the index crop and, in turn, assessment of the severity of drought can reasonably be predicted as a function of the time of crop sowing and the distribution of rainfall, provided that temporal and spatial effects of other contributing factors (crop variety, soil fertility status, crop disease, pest control, cultivation practices etc.) on grain yield are considered to be uniformly distributed (i.e., stable).A predictive method of assessing agricultural droughts in an arid area of western India is presented. The major crop (Pearl Millet) of this region is grown from. July through September. The formulation of the proposed predictive method inherently implies that the grain yield of the main crop is a reliable indicator of agricultural drought. In the development of this predictive relationship (i.e., a regression type model) a number of potential yet simple variables affecting the grain yield in the region were investigated. The soil moisture index, although generally considered significant compared to the simple variables, has been found to account for insignificant variation in the grain yield. Results of our investigations suggest that it would be advisable to exclude the soil moisture index variable from the model. The proposed regression model can be used in the prediction of grain yield of the main crop several months ahead of crop harvesting operations and, in turn, the assessment of agricultural drought severity as mild, moderate, or severe. Such an assessment is expected to be helpful to planners for arranging appropriate measures to effectively combat agricultural drought situations.
EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSIS OF DESICCATION CRACK PROPAGATION IN CLAY LINERS1
Authors: Miller Carol J. , Mi Hong , Yesiller Nazli 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACT: A laboratory investigation on a scaled model of a landfill liner was conducted to provide data regarding the occurrence and extent of desiccation cracking of prototype liners. The crack intensity factor, CIF, was introduced as a descriptor of the extent of surficial cracking. CIF is defined as the ratio of the surface crack area A, to the total surface area of the clay liner, At. A computer aided image analysis program was used to determine CII’ values from scanned photographs of the desiccation process. The variation of the CII’ was related to duration of drying and measured soil moisture suctions.The soil of this investigation experienced significant cracking, with crack widths approaching 10 mm in the first drying cycle and penetration through the entire 16 cm thickness. Crack propagation was limited to a very intense period of the desiccation process. Nearly 90 percent of the crack development occurred during a 19‐hour time period, although the total duration of the desiccation cycle was approximately 170 hours. The soil moisture suction changed by only 2 bars during the period of rapid crack growth, although it changed by more than 40 bars during the period of reduced growth.
COMPARING THE PALMER DROUGHT INDEX AND THE STANDARDIZED PRECIPITATION INDEX1
Authors: Guttman Nathaniel B. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACT: The Palmer Drought Index (PDI) is used as an indicator of drought severity, and a particular index value is often the signal to begin or discontinue elements of a drought contingency plan. The Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) was recently developed to quantify a precipitation deficit for different time scales. It was designed to be an indicator of drought that recognizes the importance of time scales in the analysis of water availability and water use.This study compares historical time series of the PDI with time series of the corresponding SPI through spectral analysis. Results show that the spectral characteristics of the PDI vary from site to site throughout the U.S., while those of the SPI do not vary from site to site. They also show that the PDI has a complex structure with an exceptionally long memory, while the SPI is an easily interpreted, simple moving average process.
POLICY OBJECTWES AND ECONOMIC INCENTWES FOR CONTROLLING AGRICULTURAL SOURCES OF NONPOINT POLLUTION1
Authors: Horan Richard D. , Ribaudo Marc O. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTIn this paper, we review the physical characteristics of agricultural non point pollution and discuss the implications for setting appropriate pollution control objectives and designing incentive‐based pollution control policies. First, we discuss that policy objectives must be designed carefully to ensure positive economic net benefits can be expected from pollution control. Next, we review several classes of incentives and recommend the use of design‐based incentives (i.e., incentives based on variable input use, management practices, and land use) for controlling non point pollution. Cost‐effectiveness requires that incentives elicit three types of responses from farmers: (1) use variable inputs at appropriate levels, (2) adopt appropriate management practices, and (3) make appropriate land use decisions at the extensive margin of production. If a set of incentives fails to induce the correct responses, the resulting runoff levels and hence ambient pollution levels and damages will be too large relative to policy goals. A review of existing programs suggests that greater program coordination and improved targeting of incentives are needed for further water quality improvements. Alternatively, properly designed market‐based systems may be effective alternatives. These systems would reduce overall pollution control costs by allowing markets to allocate point source and non point source control costs more efficiently.
QUANTIFYING MODEL OUTPUT UNCERTAINTY DUE TO SPATIAL VARIABILITY OF RAINFALL1
Authors: Chaubey I. , Haan C. T. , Salisbury J. M. , Grunwald S. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTTraditionally in the application of hydrologic/water quality (H/WQ) models, rainfall is assumed to be spatially homogeneous and is considered not to contribute to output uncertainty. The objective of this study was to assess the uncertainty induced in model outputs solely due to rainfall spatial variability. The study was conducted using the AGNPS model and the rainfall pattern captured by a network of 17 rain gauges. For each rainfall event, the model was run using the rainfall captured by each rain gauge, one at a time, under the assumption of rainfall spatial homogeneity. A large uncertainty in the modeled outputs resulted from the rainfall spatial variability. The uncertainty in the modeled outputs exceeded the input rainfall uncertainty. Results of this study indicate that spatial variability of rainfall should be captured and used in H/WQ models in order to accurately assess the release and transport of pollutants. A large uncertainty in the model outputs can be expected if this rainfall property is not taken into account.
USING FIELD SCALE MODELS TO PREDICT PEAK FLOWS ON AGRICULTURAL WATERSHEDS1
Authors: Gowda Prasanna H. , Ward Andy D. , White Dale A. , Baker David B. , Lyon John G. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTThe goal of this study was to develop a methodology for generating storm hydrographs at a watershed scale based on daily runoff estimates from a field scale model. The methodology was evaluated on a small agricultural watershed using the ADAPT field scale process model. A comparison of observed and predicted peak flows for 11 of the largest events that occurred in a three year period gave r2 values of 0.84, 0.82, and 0.81 when the watershed was subdivided into 1, 5, and 10 sub watersheds. However, all other statistical measures improved when the watershed was subdivided into at least five sub watersheds. Guidelines need to be developed on the use of the procedure but it first needs to be evaluated on several watersheds that exhibit a range in sizes, land uses, slopes, and soil properties.
COMPARISON OF MODELS FOR ESTIMATING FLOOD QUANTILES IN NEW HAMPSHIRE AND VERMONT1
Authors: Dingman S. Lawrence , Palaia Kevin J. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTWe develop and compare three regression models for estimating flood quantiles at ungaged stream reaches in New Hampshire and Vermont. These models emerge from systematic analysis and validation of relations between flood magnitude and six candidate predictors reflecting basin size, topography, and climate and channel size at 36 gaging stations with record lengths exceeding 20 years. Of the candidate predictors, bank full width is most highly correlated with flood magnitude and the best prediction equation is based on width. Thus channel geometry is closely related to the current hydrologic regime in spite of geologically recent glaciation and apparently non‐alluvial bank materials. We also develop models that use information obtainable from maps or GIS. The best of these uses drainage area and drainage‐basin elevation as predictors, but it is substantially less precise than the width‐based relation. A third relation using only drainage area as a predictor is even less precise but may be useful for some purposes. No other single predictors or combinations yielded useful predictions, although some had been included in previously‐established models for the region. Model comparison included examination of residuals generated by regression using one‐at‐a‐time suppression of data points and comparison with precision obtainable with gaging records of varying lengths.
FRESH‐WATER LENS FORMATION IN AN UNCONFINED BARRIER‐ISLAND AQUIFER1
Authors: Collins William H. , Easley Dale H. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACT: Cone‐penetrometer testing and computer modeling were utilized to investigate factors controlling fresh‐water lens formation at Grand Isle, Louisiana. Measurements of tip resistance, sleeve friction, and electrical conductivity were recorded with depth to permit classification of sediment type and to determine thickness of the fresh‐water lens and transition zone. Cone‐penetrometer testing provided virtually continuous determinations of change in sediment type and ground‐water salinity at a resolution rarely achieved using conventional drilling and water sampling techniques.Three sand bodies are present, each separated by a clay layer. The fresh‐water lens is thinner in the center of the island than on the flanks. Fresh‐water lens thickness is limited by a clay layer which prohibits downward movement of significant volumes fresh water. The transition zone from fresh water to salt water varies in thickness, being thinnest near the Gulf of Mexico and thickest where silt and clay interfinger with the upper sand.Both the thickness of the fresh‐water lens and the shape of the transition zone differ from that predicted by theoretical models. Calibration of STJTRA, a variable‐density solute‐transport model, indicates that permeability variations are the dominant control on formation of the fresh‐water lens.
IMPACT ASSESSMENT MODEL FOR CLEAR WATER FISHES EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVELY CLOUDY WATER1
Authors: Newcombe Charles P. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACT:A new type of empirical model described here enables real time assessment of impacts caused by excessive water cloudiness as a function of (a) reduced visual clarity (excessive cloudiness) and (b) duration of exposure to cloudy conditions, in fisheries or fish life stages adapted to life in clear water ecosystems. This model takes the familiar form used in earlier suspended sediment dose effect modelsimagewherezis severity of ill effect (SEV),xis duration of exposure (h),yis black disk sighting range (yBD, m)—a measure of water clarity,ais the intercept, andbandcare slope coefficients. As calibrated in this study the model isimageSeverity of ill effect is ranked on a 15‐step scale that ranges from 0 to 14, where zero represents nil effect and 14 represents 100 percent mortality. This model, based on peer consultation and limited meta analysis of peer reviewed reports, accomplishes the following: (a) identifies the threshold of the onset of ill effects among clear water fishes; (b) postulates the rate at which serious ill effects are likely to escalate as a function of reduced visual clarity and persistence; (c) provides a context (the “visual clarity” matrix, with its cell coordinates) to share and compare information about impacts as a function of visual clarity “climate” (d) demonstrates changes in predator prey interactions at exposures greater than and less than the threshold of direct ill effects; (e) calibrates trout reactive distance (cm) as function of water clarity in the formimagewhereyrepresents reactive distance (cm) andxrepresents visual clarity (black disk sighting range, cm), and whereaandbare intercept and slope respectively, such thatimage(f) identifies black disk sighting range, in meters, and its reciprocal, beam attenuation, as preferred monitoring variables; and (g) provides two additional optical quality variables (Secchi disk extinction distance and turbidity) which, suitably calibrated as they have been in this study, expand the range of monitoring options in situations in which the preferred technology—beam attenuation equipment or black disk sighting equipment—is unavailable or impractical to use. This new model demonstrates the efficacy of peer collaboration and defines new research horizons for its refinement.
The prognostic significance of determining DNA content in breast cancer by DNA image cytometry: the role of high grade aneuploidy in node negative breast cancer
Authors: Yildirim-Assaf Selma , Coumbos Alexandra , Hopfenmüller Werner , Foss Hans-Dieter , Stein Harald , Kühn Wolfgang 
Published: June 2007

Aim:To investigate the role of DNA aneuploidy, particularly in patients with node negative breast cancer, in order to identify the different risk profiles within the pool of heterogeneous breast cancers.Methods:Imprint smears from 370 breast carcinomas were Feulgen-stained and measured by DNA image analysis. DNA aneuploidy was graded by the amount of aneuploid cells (DNA content >5c) and highly aneuploid cells (DNA content >9c) in a breast tumour population. These results were correlated to the clinical long-term follow-up. A statistical cut-off value of >10 aneuploid cells (>5c) and of >1 highly aneuploid cell (>9c) was evaluated as significant for disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS).Results:Subgroups among patients with breast cancer with aneuploid cells below the cut-off value showed a significantly longer DFS and OS than those with aneuploid cells above this value. Patients withnode negative breast cancerwith >10 aneuploid cells (>5c) and >1 highly aneuploid cell (>9c) showed an unfavourable prognosis similar to patients with node positive breast cancer with <10 aneuploid cells (>5c) and <1 highly aneuploid tumour cell (>9c) in DFS and OS.Conclusion:Nuclear DNA content, as an objective marker of tumour aggressiveness, provides prognostic information in patients with both node negative and node positive breast cancer. Based on DNA aneuploidy, the clinically inhomogeneous group of patients with node negative breast cancer can be stratified into low-risk and high-risk subgroups. Therefore, DNA ploidy analysis may identify high-risk patients with lymph node negative breast cancer who might benefit from additional adjuvant therapy.
Epigenetic dysregulation of the death-associated protein kinase/p14/HDM2/p53/Apaf-1 apoptosis pathway in multiple myeloma
Authors: Chim Chor-Sang , Liang Raymond , Fung Tsz-Kin , Choi Chi-Lung , Kwong Yok-Lam 
Published: June 2007

Aim:To study the role of gene promoter hypermethylation of the putative tumour suppressor genes involved in the death-associated protein (DAP) kinase/p14/HDM2/p53/Apaf-1 apoptosis pathway in multiple myeloma (MM).Method:DNAs from 55 primary MM marrow samples and myeloma cell lines were analysed for aberrant promoter methylation ofDAP kinase,p14andApaf-1genes by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP).Result:In the methylated positive control, the sensitivity of M-MSP forDAP kinasewas 1×10−3.Aberrant hypermethylation ofDAP kinasewas found in 29/55 (52.7%) primary MM samples, whereas hypermethylation ofp14orApaf-1was undetectable in any of the samples tested. 5-Azacytidine treatment of two myeloma cell lines, WL2 and HS-Sultan, led to de-methylation and re-expression ofDAP kinase, thereby confirming gene silencing associated with promoter hypermethylation. Hypermethylation ofDAP kinasedid not correlate with age, sex, paraprotein subtype or Durie–Salmon stage, but negatively affected the overall survival.Conclusion:Of the putative tumour suppressor genes in the DAP kinase/p14/HDM2/p53/Apaf-1 apoptosis pathway, onlyDAP kinaseis frequently methylated in MM, which is associated with gene silencing and might be of prognostic significance.p14andApaf-1were not methylated in MM.
Involvement of mast cells in gastritis caused byHelicobacter pylori: a potential role in epithelial cell apoptosis
Authors: Hofman Véronique , Lassalle Sandra , Selva Eric , Kalem Kheira , Steff Adrien , Hébuterne Xavier , Sicard Dominique , Auberger Patrick , Hofman Paul 
Published: June 2007

Background:The role(s) of mast cells (MC) in gastric mucosal inflammation caused byHelicobacterpyloriis (are) still debated.Aim:To determine whether there is an association between MC density and epithelial cell apoptosis in antral gastric mucosa infected byH pylori.Patients and methods:Biopsy specimens from 122H pylori-positive subjects with chronic active gastritis, 84 patients with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced gastritis and 48 volunteers were included.H pylorigenotypes were determined by PCR amplification of bacterial cultures. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed on tissue microarrays with anti-CD117, anti-chymase, anti-tryptase, anti-myeloperoxidase, anti-Bcl-2, anti-Bcl-x, anti-Bax and anti-caspase 3 antibodies.Results:Of the 122 patients infected withH pylori, 76 (62.3%) harbouredcagApositive strains.H pyloriisolates belonged to thevacAs1/m1genotype in 82 (67%) cases, to thevacAs2/m2genotype in 23 (18.8%) cases and to thevacAs1/m2genotype in 17 (13.9%) cases. 61 (50%)H pyloriisolates werebabA2+. In patients infected withH pylori, the density of MC, and in particular the number of MC-associated epithelial cells, was correlated with a high number of apoptotic epithelial cells. Moreover, the density of MC was correlated with the number of neutrophils infiltrating the antral gastric mucosa, and was strongly increased in patients infected withcagA,vacAs1/m1andbabA2positive strains.Conclusions:Taken together, these data show that the density of MC can be considered as a histopathological criterion of gastritis activity in patients infected withH pylori.
Answer Garden: a tool for growing organizational memory
Authors: Ackerman M. S. , Malone T. W. 
Published: June 2007

Answer Garden allows organizations to develop databases of commonly asked questions that grow “organically” as new questions arise and are answered. It is designed to help in situations (such as field service organizations and customer “hot lines”) where there is a continuing stream of questions, many of which occur over and over, but some of which the organization has never seen before. The system includes a branching network of diagnostic questions that helps users find the answers they want. If the answer is not present, the system automatically sends the question to the appropriate expert, and the answer is returned to the user as well as inserted into the branching network. Experts can also modify this network in response to users' problems.
Our initial Answer Garden database contains questions and answers about how to use the X Window System.
Managing transient internetwork links in the Xerox Internet
Authors: Radicati Siranush 
Published: June 2007

The Xerox Research Internet, which has been in operation within Xerox for over a decade now, is composed of some 200 geographically dispersed Ethernet local area networks [1,2]. Not all networks in the Internet, however, require the same degree of interconnectivity. In some cases information is exchanged only occasionally, and then in the form of mail messages. In order to support this type of interaction, in a cost effective manner, it is highly desirable to implement internetwork communication links using switched media.
This paper describes an experimental facility, developed for the management of transient internetwork communication links. The major novelty lies in the idea of allowing high level application programs to dynamically alter the Internet topology, without end-users being involved, or even aware of what is happening.
Towards an in-house integrated publishing service
Authors: Kease W. J. 
Published: June 2007

An in-house printing and publishing department has advantages over its equivalent in the outside world in that its market can, to some extent, be captive. But it has disadvantages too, for it can become neglected if the primary business of the organisation it serves is far removed from the world of Garamond 10 point and perfect binding.
This paper describes the work of an internal publishing house which is a part of an international UK-based Company working in the fields of telecommunications and electronic systems; and how it is moving, over a period of a few short months and years, from being a somewhat run-down printing unit to being up with the leaders in its field, and in some cases actually pioneering the use of new techniques.
The structure of abstract document objects
Authors: Kimura Gary D. , Shaw Alan C. 
Published: June 2007

Underlying every document processing system is a model of the document. For many applications a simple model, such as a long string of characters, is adequate. However, more expressive models are desirable for more demanding applications that involve complex textual material and also nontextual objects, such as mathematical notation, tables, and figures. In this paper we present an expressive model, suitable for paper and electronic documents, that is based on a graph-like structure.
The principal concepts are the notions of abstract and concrete objects, hierarchical composition of ordered and unordered objects, sharing of components, and reference links. This model has proven useful for specifying a wide variety of document objects, and is the basis for an implemented document preparation system.