Comparison of saturated areas mapping methods in the Jizera Mountains, Czech Republic

Understanding and modelling the processes of flood runoff generation is still a challenge in catchment hydrology. In particular, there are issues about how best to represent the effects of the antecedent state of saturation of a catchment on runoff formation and flood hydrographs. This paper reports on the experience of mapping saturated areas using measured water table by piezometers and more qualitative assessments of the state of the moisture at soil surface or immediately under it to provide information that can usefully condition model predictions. Vegetation patterns can also provide useful indicators of runoff source areas, but integrated over much longer periods of time. In this way, it might be more likely that models will get the right predictions for the right reasons

Testing the distributed water table predictions of TOPMODEL (allowing for uncertainty in model calibration): the death of TOPMODEL?

The distributed predictions of the original version of TOPMODEL are here compared with distributed observations of water table levels in the Uhlirska catchment in the Jizera Mountains, Czech Republic. The calibration of the model has been carried out within the GLUE framework, which allows the estimation of uncertainties in predicting the distributed patterns of the water table at different times. Many of the water table levels are predicted within the limits of uncertainty, but it is shown that the predictions could be improved by the calculation of a local effective transmissivity value (or local upslope contributing areas) at each observation site. These effective transmissivities show a similar relationship to the topographic index as found in a previous study of a small catchment in Norway. Some of the anomalies can be explained by deficiencies in the topographic analysis but this may also be an indication of possible structural deficiencies in the model. Interpretation is, however, difficult, and it remains to be seen whether these anomalies might be avoided in more dynamic distributed models

Comparison of saturated areas mapping methods in the Jizera Mountains, Czech Republic

Understanding and modelling the processes of flood runoff generation is still a challenge in catchment hydrology. In particular, there are issues about how best to represent the effects of the antecedent state of saturation of a catchment on runoff formation and flood hydrographs. This paper reports on the experience of mapping saturated areas using measured water table by piezometers and more qualitative assessments of the state of the moisture at soil surface or immediately under it to provide information that can usefully condition model predictions. Vegetation patterns can also provide useful indicators of runoff source areas, but integrated over much longer periods of time. In this way, it might be more likely that models will get the right predictions for the right reasons

Report of an international survey of molecular genetic testing laboratories

Objective: To collect data on the practices of molecular genetic testing (MGT) laboratories for the development of national and international policies for quality assurance (QA). Methods: A web-based survey of MGT laboratory directors (n = 827; response rate 63%) in 18 countries on 3 continents. QA and reporting indices were developed and calculated for each responding laboratory. Results: Laboratory setting varied among and within countries, as did qualifications of the directors. Respondents in every country indicated that their laboratory receives specimens from outside their national borders (64%, n = 529). Pair-wise comparisons of the QA index revealed a significant association with the director having formal training in molecular genetics (p < 0.005), affiliation with a genetics unit (p = 0.003), accreditation of the laboratory (p < 0.005) and participation in proficiency testing (p < 0.005). Research labs had a lower mean report score compared to all other settings (p < 0.05) as did laboratories accessioning <150 samples per year. Conclusion: MGT is provided under widely varying conditions and regulatory frameworks. The data provided here may be a useful guide for policy action at both governmental and professional levels