Information content of spatially distributed ground-based measurements for hydrologic-parameter calibration in mixed rain-snow mountain headwaters

Parameters in hydrologic models used in mixed rain-snow regions are often uncertain to calibrate and overfitted on streamflow. To contribute addressing these challenges, we used an algorithm that assesses modeling performances through time (Dynamic Identifiability Analysis) to quantify the information content of spatially distributed ground-based measurements for identifying optimal parameter values in the Precipitation Runoff Modeling System (PRMS) model. Including spatially distributed ground-based measurements in Identifiability Analysis allowed us to unambiguously estimate more parameter values than only using streamflow (seven parameters instead of two out of a pool of thirty-three). Peaks in information gain were obtained when using dew-point temperature to identify precipitation phase-partitioning parameters. Multi-attribute identifiability analysis also yielded optimal parameter values that were temporally less variable than those estimated using streamflow alone. Overall, identifying parameter values using ground-based measurements improved the simulation of key drivers of the surface-water budget, such as air temperature and precipitation-phase partitioning. However, parameters simulating surface-to-subsurface mass fluxes like snow accumulation and melt or evapotranspiration were poorly identified by any attribute and so emerged as key sources of predictive uncertainty for this distributed-parameter hydrologic model. This work demonstrates the value of expanded ground-based measurements for identifying parameters in distributed-parameter hydrologic models and so diagnosing their conceptual uncertainty across the water budget

Arbitral Discovery of Non-Parties

This article argues that the broad power approach is the better reasoned of the two. Timely discovery of important information is vital in any dispute. Further, fair results should be the goal of any dispute resolution process. The possessor of the pertinent information, i.e., whether it is held by parties or non-parties, should be irrelevant. Part II of this article describes the differences between discovery in litigation and discovery in arbitration. Part III examines the limited power approach to prehearing discovery, which restricts the power of an arbitrator to compel non-party participation in discovery to the actual hearing. Part IV examines the broad power approach, which gives arbitrators the power to compel non-parties to participate in pre-hearing discovery. Part V analyzes each approach, highlighting the weaknesses of the limited power approach and the strengths of the broad power approach. Part VI proposes that courts adopt the broad power approach. Recognizing, however, that the advantages of arbitration over litigation derive in large part from the curtailing of discovery, Part VI also proposes that arbitrators be given the discretion to limit non-party discovery as they deem appropriate

A Framework for XML-based Integration of Data, Visualization and Analysis in a Biomedical Domain

Biomedical data are becoming increasingly complex and heterogeneous in nature. The data are stored in distributed information systems, using a variety of data models, and are processed by increasingly more complex tools that analyze and visualize them. We present in this paper our framework for integrating biomedical research data and tools into a unique Web front end. Our framework is applied to the University of Washington’s Human Brain Project. Specifically, we present solutions to four integration tasks: definition of complex mappings from relational sources to XML, distributed XQuery processing, generation of heterogeneous output formats, and the integration of heterogeneous data visualization and analysis tools

Exploring the effects of health shocks on antipoverty interventions : experience of poor beneficiary households in Bangladesh

How and whether health shocks impact poverty reduction interventions remains a largely unexplored topic to which not much attention has been paid. This study explored whether and how health shocks affect anti-poverty interventions targeted to extremely poor households using data from 8 focus group discussions and 12 case studies. Those in extremely poor households mostly experienced episodes of chronic disease that incurred greater health-care costs, largely financed by the out-of-pocket payment system. The majority of those from poor households met health-care costs by selling their means of livelihood, borrowing cash, and marketing physical assets. This study argues that livelihood support alone is likely to be insufficient to reduce poverty. Health needs, subsequently, should be prioritized while designing an anti-poverty program

Knowledge management on banana production: Effects of types of suckers on the growth and yield of different varieties of banana

Based on the results of the study, it shows that growth and fruiting parameters were primarily influenced by variety and type of suckers. Date revealed that significant influences among the varieties and types of suckers in all the parameters during the first and second year of production. Statistical analysis revealed no significant interactions between the varieties and types of suckers

Knowledge management on banana establishment: Growth and yield performance of banana Lacatan variety to different types of fertilizer

Six months after planting, results showed no significant differences among treatments on present numerical rate and at blossom stages all parameters showed no significant differences among treatments except girth diameter. Yield parameters were influenced by the types of fertilizers used. Banana without fertilizer (A) consistently obtained the lowest yield per bunch, per clump and per hectare, and at the same time obtained the lowest return on investment (ROI). Bananas applied with pure organic (B) and combination of organic and inorganic fertilizers (D) significantly obtained the highest yield for three years of production and were on the top rank in terms of return on investment

Knowledge management on flowering plants: Growth performance of different varieties of chrysanthemum under WVSU-CAF climatic condition

The study was focused on management of flowering plants, more specifically on the different chrysanthemum varieties growth performance.Result of the study revealed that through knowledge management techniques and skills in chrysanthemum production, the survival rate of plant and plant height on the different varieties of chrysanthemum revealed significant result.It is also noted that different varieties of chrysanthemum used in the study were significantly different in terms of diameters of flowers and average number of flowers produced.It is further observed that chrysanthemum performed well in the different places with the same climatic condition

Electron-hole asymmetry in the phase diagram of carrier-tuned CsV3_3Sb5_5

Here we study the effect of electron doping the kagome superconductor CsV$_3$Sb$_5$. Single crystals and powders of CsV$_3$Sb$_{5-x}$Te$_x$ are synthesized and characterized via magnetic susceptibility, nuclear quadrupole resonance, and x-ray diffraction measurements, where we observe a slight suppression of the charge density wave transition temperature and superconducting temperature with the introduction of electron dopants. In contrast to hole-doping, both transitions survive relatively unperturbed up to the solubility limit of Te within the lattice. A comparison is presented between the electronic phase diagrams of electron- and hole-tuned CsV$_3$Sb$_5$.Comment: 11 pages, 4 figure

Annual accumulation for Greenland updated using ice core data developed during 2000-2006 and analysis of daily coastal meteorological data

An updated accumulation map for Greenland is presented on the basis of 39 new ice core estimates of accumulation, 256 ice sheet estimates from ice cores and snow pits used in previous maps, and reanalysis of time series data from 20 coastal weather stations. The period 1950-2000 is better represented by the data than are earlier periods. Ice-sheetwide accumulation was estimated based on kriging. The average accumulation (95 confidence interval, or ±2 times standard error) over the Greenland ice sheet is 30.0 ± 2.4 g cm -2 a-1, with the average accumulation above 2000-m elevation being essentially the same, 29.9 ± 2.2 g cm-2 a -1. At higher elevations the new accumulation map maintains the main features shown in previous maps. However, there are five coastal areas with obvious differences: southwest, northwest, and eastern regions, where the accumulation values are 20-50 lower than previously estimated, and southeast and northeast regions, where the accumulation values are 20-50 higher than previously estimated. These differences are almost entirely due to new coastal data. The much lower accumulation in the southwest and the much higher accumulation in the southeast indicated by the current map mean that long-term mass balance in both catchments is closer to steady state than previously estimated. However, uncertainty in these areas remains high owing to strong gradients in precipitation from the coast inland. A significant and sustained precipitation measurement program will be needed to resolve this uncertainty. Copyright 2009 by the American Geophysical Union