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Identifying Biological Echoes In Radar Scans Using Machine Learning, Reginald Mead, John Paxton, Richard S. Sojda Jul 2008

Identifying Biological Echoes In Radar Scans Using Machine Learning, Reginald Mead, John Paxton, Richard S. Sojda

International Congress on Environmental Modelling and Software

Radar ornithology using data from the NEXRAD weather radar system has given scientists new tools for studying bird migration in the United States. Unfortunately, the process of identifying echoes from birds in radar data still largely requires that trained technicians spend hours manually scouring radar scans. This paper provides some background for understanding biological echoes in NEXRAD data and then describes our initial investigations of the use of machine learning techniques to help automate the process of echo classification. Doppler data allows researchers to look at bird migration by examining large clusters of birds that could be observed approaching and …

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Mogire: A Model For Integratedwater Management, Arnaud Reynaud, Delphine Leenhardt Jul 2008

Mogire: A Model For Integratedwater Management, Arnaud Reynaud, Delphine Leenhardt

International Congress on Environmental Modelling and Software

In a context of water scarcity where competition for water allocation is increasing, modelers areoften asked to move from specific water use models (either agricultural, industrial or residential)toward more integrated frameworks including an explicit representation off water users relationships.This is the main objective of MoGIRE (“Mod`ele pour la Gestion Int´egr´ee de la Ressourceen Eau”) which is a model developed by an interdisciplinary team for integrated water managementat the river basin level. MoGIRE includes a nodal representation of the water network andallows to optimize water use under several possible scenarios (agronomic, climatic or economic).Agricultural, urban and environmentalwater uses are represented in …

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Primary Environmental Data Quality Model: Proposal Of A Prototype Of Model Concept, M. Hejč, Jiří Hřebíček Jul 2008

Primary Environmental Data Quality Model: Proposal Of A Prototype Of Model Concept, M. Hejč, Jiří Hřebíček

International Congress on Environmental Modelling and Software

There is the short overview of the terms data quality and environmental information, following up the model definition in the paper. It introduces one such prototype of model – easy to implement, covering all modelling niches in environmental informatics and promising easy model knowledge sharing – it will be suitable to make a basis for appropriate model library. There is also discussed the use of the model and its role in the process of measurement of data quality. The concept is illustrated by the case study of the South Moravian region waste management data evaluation (realized by authors) and compared …

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3d Ecological Modelling Of The Aveiro Coast (Portugal), A. C. Cardoso, J. F. Lopes Jul 2008

3d Ecological Modelling Of The Aveiro Coast (Portugal), A. C. Cardoso, J. F. Lopes

International Congress on Environmental Modelling and Software

Until now the most of studies concerning the dynamics of the Portuguese coastalecosystem focused in estuarine, lagoon and rivers systems, whereas more knowledge aboutthe spatial and the seasonal distribution of phytoplankton population at the coast is stillneeded. The present work is aimed to study some aspects of ecological modelling of thenearshore Aveiro coastal system, namely the influence of physical forcings in thedistribution of phytoplankton biomass. In order to implement the ecological model, thevalidation of the model were assessed by comparing simulation to data to a vertical andhorizontal distribution of temperature, nutrients and phytoplankton biomass, obtained fromthe several surveys performed along …

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Usability Assessment Of An Integrated Land Use Model In Portugal, Cárin Alves, Lúcio Do Rosário, Jasper Van Vliet, Hedwig Van Delden Jul 2008

Usability Assessment Of An Integrated Land Use Model In Portugal, Cárin Alves, Lúcio Do Rosário, Jasper Van Vliet, Hedwig Van Delden

International Congress on Environmental Modelling and Software

Regardless the possibilities of computer based tools for spatial planning, previous works have argued that planners have never fully used them. Some of the reasons that influence the acceptance and effective use of a new technology are the usability and the user’s perception of its relevance to improve their tasks. This research aims to assess the usability and usefulness of a planning support tool by planning organizations in Portugal. The tool has proven to be easy to use and very useful to users; however, some technical improvements were suggested in order to improve it.

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Optimizing Biogas Production: An Application To An Italian Farming District, Giulia Fiorese, Giorgio Guariso, A. Polimeni Jul 2008

Optimizing Biogas Production: An Application To An Italian Farming District, Giulia Fiorese, Giorgio Guariso, A. Polimeni

International Congress on Environmental Modelling and Software

Biogas can be extracted from animal manure through anaerobic digestion (AD) and can afterwards be used to produce energy. Moreover, this process reduces completely methane emissions and stabilizes the manure before its agronomic use. AD plants can be built in a wide range of capacities: as capacity increases, economies of scale in capital equipment are realized, but transportation costs increase as manure and the digested substrates must be conveyed over longer distances. It is thus a key issue to assess the tradeoffs between biomass’ transportation and plants’ capacity. We propose a method to evaluate the AD plants’ convenience on a …

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A Qualitative Model On Sustainability Of The Riacho Fundo Basin (Brasília, Brazil), P. Salles, B. Bredeweg, Ana Luiza Rios Caldas Jul 2008

A Qualitative Model On Sustainability Of The Riacho Fundo Basin (Brasília, Brazil), P. Salles, B. Bredeweg, Ana Luiza Rios Caldas

International Congress on Environmental Modelling and Software

Urbanisation seems to be the future of the global society (Egger, 2006). Understanding the consequences of land use change and the establishment of urban areas is essential for making sustainable this future. This paper describes an implemented qualitative simulation model about the Brazilian Riacho Fundo case study for the Project NaturNet – Redime1. This case study bridges the gap between case studies focussing on sustainability of water bodies in protected areas (River Mesta, Bulgaria, and the Delta of the Danube River, Romania), and case studies that focus on river management and rehabilitation, in areas strongly modified by human influence (River …

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A Software Component For Model Output Evaluation, Gianni Bellocchi, Marcello Donatelli, Marco Acutis, E. Habyarimana Jul 2008

A Software Component For Model Output Evaluation, Gianni Bellocchi, Marcello Donatelli, Marco Acutis, E. Habyarimana

International Congress on Environmental Modelling and Software

As the role of biophysical models in ecological, biological and agronomic areas grows in importance, there is an associated increase in the need for suitable approaches to evaluate the adequacy of model outputs (model testing, often referred as to “validation”). Effective testing techniques are required to assess complex models under a variety of conditions, including a wide range of validation measures, possibly integrated into composite metrics. Both simple and composite metrics are being proposed by the scientific community, continuously broadening the pool of options for model evaluation. However, such new metrics are not available in commonly used statistical packages. At …

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Interaction Design For Rural Agricultural Sensor Networks, K. Walker, A. Kabashi, J. Abdelnour-Nocera, K. Ngugi, J. Underwood, J. Elmirghani, M. Prodanovic Jul 2008

Interaction Design For Rural Agricultural Sensor Networks, K. Walker, A. Kabashi, J. Abdelnour-Nocera, K. Ngugi, J. Underwood, J. Elmirghani, M. Prodanovic

International Congress on Environmental Modelling and Software

We describe the ongoing design of a sensor network for small family farms inrural Kenya. The sensor network is just one part of an ‘ecology of resources’ in whichhandheld devices are used to bridge the sensor network and a computer-based access point.We describe the two villages where the system is deployed and the user requirementscollected. We then describe the architecture of the sensor network and detail how it fits inwith the larger integrated system. We then detail our approach to interface and interactiondesign, and conclude by describing the next steps in the project.

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Evaluating The Potential Of Qualitative Reasoning (Qr) Models To Contribute To A Sustainable Catchment Management, A. Zitek, S. Muhar, S. Preis, B. Bredeweg, P. Salles, S. Schmutz Jul 2008

Evaluating The Potential Of Qualitative Reasoning (Qr) Models To Contribute To A Sustainable Catchment Management, A. Zitek, S. Muhar, S. Preis, B. Bredeweg, P. Salles, S. Schmutz

International Congress on Environmental Modelling and Software

Within the NaturNet-Redime project (NNR) Qualitative Reasoning (QR) models related to a sustainable catchment management were developed, following a general modelling framework (Bredeweg et al., 2007) and using newly developed Garp3 QR (Garp3, Bredeweg et al., 2008). Two models were developed in the River Kamp (Austria) case study (Zitek, 2006; Zitek et al., 2006): (A) Implementation of sustainable actions in a river catchment (stakeholder integration, quality of sustainability plans, development of ecological integrity and human well being, probability of catastrophic events), and (B) Hydropower production (water storage and release, water abstraction) and its effect on fish.

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Genetic Algorithm Based Technique For Defining Threshold Regression Models, J. C. M. Pires, F. G. Martins, M. C. M. Alvim-Ferraz, M. C. Pereira Jul 2008

Genetic Algorithm Based Technique For Defining Threshold Regression Models, J. C. M. Pires, F. G. Martins, M. C. M. Alvim-Ferraz, M. C. Pereira

International Congress on Environmental Modelling and Software

TThis study proposes a new technique based on genetic algorithms to define threshold regression models (TR-GA). The threshold regression assumes that the behaviour of the dependent variable changes when it enters in a different regime. The change from one regime to another depends of a specific value (threshold value) of an explanatory variable (threshold variable). In this study, the threshold regression models were composed by two linear equations. The application of genetic algorithms allows evaluating, at the same time: (i) the threshold variable; (ii) the threshold value; and (iii) the statistically significant regression parameters in each regime. The aim of …

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Multiple-Criteria Decision Making For Integrated Watershed Management In The Ramian Watershed, Golestan, Iran, Amir Sadoddin, Vahedberdi Sheikh, Raoof Mostafazade, Mohammad Ghassem Halili Jul 2008

Multiple-Criteria Decision Making For Integrated Watershed Management In The Ramian Watershed, Golestan, Iran, Amir Sadoddin, Vahedberdi Sheikh, Raoof Mostafazade, Mohammad Ghassem Halili

International Congress on Environmental Modelling and Software

This research has concentrated on the physical and socio-economic impacts of vegetation-based management scenarios targeting on flooding and soil erosion issues in the Ramian sub-watersheds. The Ramian watershed with an approximate area of 24000 ha is located in Golestan, Iran. For each sub-watershed, four biological actions (activities) and 16 management scenarios have been considered. Physical impacts have been studied using the SCS (Soil Conservation Service) hydrologic model and the EPM (Erosion Potential Method) model. Economic and social impacts have been evaluated using the cost/benefit analysis as well as the examination of the results of a social survey. Some physical, social, …

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Addressing Stakeholder Concerns Using The Integrative River Rehabilitation Model (Irrm), M. E. Borsuk, S. Schweizer, Peter Reichert Jul 2008

Addressing Stakeholder Concerns Using The Integrative River Rehabilitation Model (Irrm), M. E. Borsuk, S. Schweizer, Peter Reichert

International Congress on Environmental Modelling and Software

We have previously reported on a variety of modelling methods and decision support concepts that can assist with various aspects of river rehabilitation planning and management. Here, we bring all of these tools together into an Integrative River Rehabilitation Model (IRRM) that links management actions, through morphological and hydraulic changes, to the final ecological and economic consequences. The IRRM is formulated as a probability network and represents the relevant cause-effect relations among important biotic and abiotic factors, leading to attributes (model endpoints) of concern to river system stakeholders. Together with a model of the stakeholders’ preference structure for different levels …

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Development Of An Integrated Framework For Assessing The Impact Of Urban Planning On Water Quality, G. Fu, Soon-Thiam Khu, F. Di Pierro, A. Doglioni, F. Primativo Jul 2008

Development Of An Integrated Framework For Assessing The Impact Of Urban Planning On Water Quality, G. Fu, Soon-Thiam Khu, F. Di Pierro, A. Doglioni, F. Primativo

International Congress on Environmental Modelling and Software

Recently, environmental concerns have gained increasing attention in the urban planning process. This paper aims to address the effects of urban planning on the surrounding water quality by developing an integrated modelling framework. This framework provides a conceptual and quantitative tool to quantify the impacts of urbanisation patterns on water systems, including urban drainage, wastewater treatment plant, and receiving rivers. The development of the framework (known as SSDIM), including individual components and their interactions, is described in this paper, and its functionality is demonstrated by a semi-hypothetical case study. The results show the effects of different planning strategies on receiving …

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A Neural Network Approach For Selecting The Most Relevant Variables For Foaming In Anaerobic Digestion, Jordi Dalmau, Joaquim Comas, Ignasi Rodríguez-Roda, Eric Latrille, Jean-Philippe Steyer Jul 2008

A Neural Network Approach For Selecting The Most Relevant Variables For Foaming In Anaerobic Digestion, Jordi Dalmau, Joaquim Comas, Ignasi Rodríguez-Roda, Eric Latrille, Jean-Philippe Steyer

International Congress on Environmental Modelling and Software

Activated sludge processes are complex biological systems in which organic matter and nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorous) are removed from wastewater. One of the most common alternatives for the treatment of waste from activated sludge systems is Anaerobic Digestion (AD). AD is even a more complex biological process. One of the most important problems which can appear in anaerobic digesters is foaming. In the literature there is not a big agreement on the foaming causes. Therefore, the aim of the paper is to apply a methodology based on artificial neural networks to determine the most relevant variables for foaming diagnosis in …

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A Consistent Framework For Knowledge Integration To Support Integrated Catchment Management, A. Holzkämper, B. Surridge, A. Paetzold, Vikas Kumar, D. N. Lerner, L. Maltby, J. Wainwright, C. W. Anderson, R. Harris Jul 2008

A Consistent Framework For Knowledge Integration To Support Integrated Catchment Management, A. Holzkämper, B. Surridge, A. Paetzold, Vikas Kumar, D. N. Lerner, L. Maltby, J. Wainwright, C. W. Anderson, R. Harris

International Congress on Environmental Modelling and Software

The European Water Framework Directive (WFD) sets out an integrated perspective to water management in river catchments and river basin districts and is a key driver in the movement towards Integrated River Basin Management. Integrated river basin management must deliver objectives related to the WFD in the wider context of various other stakeholder interests, for example related to flooding, water resources, employment and cost. In managing such complex systems, a specific objective can be achieved through different management actions. Likewise, a specific management action can have implications for multiple objectives. Synergies or conflicts between specific objectives and between specific actions …

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Role Of Models For Building An Efficient Monitoring Design, Marina G. Erechtchoukova, Peter A. Khaiter Jul 2008

Role Of Models For Building An Efficient Monitoring Design, Marina G. Erechtchoukova, Peter A. Khaiter

International Congress on Environmental Modelling and Software

Efficient assessment of water quality requires an integrated approach incorporating such tools as sampling programs supplying data for statistically valid assessment along with watershed and water quality models which are used to transform the collected data into information. It is important to quantify and possibly to reduce the uncertainty of the information supplied by a monitoring system. The paper describes the algorithm for an efficient temporal monitoring design for data collection at a given site of a fixed station tiered monitoring system. The algorithm takes into account features of models used to obtain estimates of investigated water quality indicators. Efficiency …

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A New Approach For River Exploration : River Mesta Case Study For Qualitative Modeling Sustainable Development, E. Nakova, B. Bredeweg, P. Salles Jul 2008

A New Approach For River Exploration : River Mesta Case Study For Qualitative Modeling Sustainable Development, E. Nakova, B. Bredeweg, P. Salles

International Congress on Environmental Modelling and Software

The general objective of NaturNet-Redime project is to support sustainable development byimproving knowledge about all aspects of sustainability and provide education mainlyabout environmental, social and economic tools for implementation of the EU strategy onsustainable development at both EU and international levels.This paper describes the progress towards developing a qualitative reasoning model ofsustainable development issues in River Mesta Bulgaria, following a standardizedframework for conceptual description of qualitative reasoning case studies. ( Bredeweg,2006).

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A Library Of Model Fragments On Sustainability, P. Salles, B. Bredeweg, E. Cioaca, E. Nakova, A. Zitek, R. A. A. Noble Jul 2008

A Library Of Model Fragments On Sustainability, P. Salles, B. Bredeweg, E. Cioaca, E. Nakova, A. Zitek, R. A. A. Noble

International Congress on Environmental Modelling and Software

This paper describes the implementation of a Library of model fragments that integrates different models and captures essential concepts for understanding sustainable development related issues, presented in meaningful ways as simulations (Salles and Bredeweg, 2007). Input models to the Library come from the NaturNet – Redime1 Project case studies and from models about the Millennium Development Goals (Salles, 2005). As the Library includes a broad range of knowledge from different disciplines and a large number os scenarios and model fragments, it is necessary to create handles to explore the Library and to select clusters of concepts that may be used …

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Actors And Factors – Bridging Social Science Findings And Urban Land Use Change Modeling, Dagmar Haase, S. Kabisch, A. Haase, Tatiana Filatova, A. Van Der Veen, T. Totzer, W. Loibl, S. Scatasta, Sophie Schetke, A. Zuin, F. Von Walter Jul 2008

Actors And Factors – Bridging Social Science Findings And Urban Land Use Change Modeling, Dagmar Haase, S. Kabisch, A. Haase, Tatiana Filatova, A. Van Der Veen, T. Totzer, W. Loibl, S. Scatasta, Sophie Schetke, A. Zuin, F. Von Walter

International Congress on Environmental Modelling and Software

Recent uneven land use dynamics in urban areas resulting from demographic change, economic pressure and the cities’ mutual competition in a globalising world challenge both scientists and practitioners, among them social scientists, modellers and spatial planners. Processes of growth and decline specifically affect the urban environment, the requirements of the residents on social and natural resources. Social and environmental research is interested in a better understanding and ways of explaining the interactions between society and landscape in urban areas. And it is also needed for making life in cities attractive, secure and affordable within or despite of uneven dynamics. The …

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Has The Ict Revolution Run Its Course?, Kenneth I. Carlaw, R. G. Lipsey, Ryan Webb Jul 2008

Has The Ict Revolution Run Its Course?, Kenneth I. Carlaw, R. G. Lipsey, Ryan Webb

International Congress on Environmental Modelling and Software

We assess the contention that the force of the ICT revolution was spent when the dotcom bubble burst. We identify the fundamental principle of flexible machine logic, the use of which distinguishes the group of modern ICTs ⎯ the electronic computer, the Internet and some related technologies ⎯ that make up the GPT of programmable computing networks (PCNs) and that have driven the ICT revolution. We seek to place PCN on two logistic trajectories that describe its evolving efficiency and applications. We argue that PCN still has significant scope for increasing its efficiency, that it is still creating an undiminished …

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The Carbon-Land Model Intercomparison Project (C-Lamp): A Protocol And Evaluation Metrics For Global Terrestrial Biogeochemistry Models, Forrest M. Hoffman, James T. Randerson, Inez Y. Fung, Peter E. Thornton, Yen-Huei “Jeff” Lee, Curtis C. Covey, Gordon B. Bonan, Steven W. Running Jul 2008

The Carbon-Land Model Intercomparison Project (C-Lamp): A Protocol And Evaluation Metrics For Global Terrestrial Biogeochemistry Models, Forrest M. Hoffman, James T. Randerson, Inez Y. Fung, Peter E. Thornton, Yen-Huei “Jeff” Lee, Curtis C. Covey, Gordon B. Bonan, Steven W. Running

International Congress on Environmental Modelling and Software

Described here is a protocol and accompanying metrics for evaluation of scientificmodel performance of global terrestrial biogeochemistry models. Developed under the guise ofthe NCAR Community Climate System Model (CCSM) Biogeochemistry Working Group, theCarbon-Land Model Intercomparison Project (C-LAMP) experimental protocol improves and expandsupon the Coupled Carbon Cycle-Climate Model Intercomparison Project (C4MIP) Phase1 protocol. However, unlike traditional model intercomparisons, C-LAMP has established scientificmodel performance metrics based upon comparison against best-available satellite- andground-based measurements. Moreover, C-LAMP has partnered with the U.S. Department of Energy’sProgram for Climate Model Diagnosis and Intercomparison (PCMDI) to collect, archive,and distribute—via the Earth System Grid (ESG)—model results from C-LAMP …

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Integration Of Sensor Networks And Decision Support Tools For Basin-Scale, Real-Time Water Quality Management, N. W. T. Quinn Jul 2008

Integration Of Sensor Networks And Decision Support Tools For Basin-Scale, Real-Time Water Quality Management, N. W. T. Quinn

International Congress on Environmental Modelling and Software

Recent advances in sensor technologies and the steep decline in the cost of developing and operating sensor networks have led to an explosion of environmental applications. Real-time telemetry access to the environmental monitoring data produced by these sensor networks can now provided reliably and cheaply. However development of the institutional and administrative structures that turn this torrent of real-time data into information that informs decisions is more challenging - examples of successful sensor network projects that support decision-making at the basin-scale level are few. In this paper some of the challenges faced in making sensor networks an integral part of …

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Modelling External Intrusion Into Water Distribution Systems, P. A. López, J. J. Mora, V. Fuertes, F. J. Martínez Jul 2008

Modelling External Intrusion Into Water Distribution Systems, P. A. López, J. J. Mora, V. Fuertes, F. J. Martínez

International Congress on Environmental Modelling and Software

This article describes the representation of pathogen intrusion in waterdistribution systems through experimental and numerical modelling, in order to study one ofthe phenomena which can cause contamination of drinking water through leakage inside thenetworks. This situation can happen when negative pressure conditions are achieved in thesystem, allowing the entrance of water around a leak and thus generating pathogenintrusion, causing a problem of water quality. The modelling process is based onexperimental and computational procedures. On the other hand, we present an analysis ofthe behaviour of intrusion considering the transportation of pollutant again by means ofexperimental measurements and computational simulations.

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A Review Of Fibroblast Populated Collagen Lattices, J. C. Dallon, Paul H. Ehrlich Jul 2008

A Review Of Fibroblast Populated Collagen Lattices, J. C. Dallon, Paul H. Ehrlich

Faculty Publications

Bellaes introduction of the fibroblast populated collagen lattice (FPCL) (1) has facilitated the study of collagen-cell interactions. As a result of the numerous modifications of the casting of FPCL's, the in vivo applications of these in vitro findings has been confusing. Here experimental FPCL contraction findings are viewed in regard to three proposed mechanisms responsible for lattice contraction. The cellular mechanisms responsible for generating FPCL contraction are: cell contraction, cell tractional forces related to cell locomotion, and initial cell elongation and spreading.

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It's What We're Here For: Nurses Caring For Military Personnel During The Persian Gulf Wars, Patricia Rushton, Lynn Clark Callister, Jared E. Scott Jul 2008

It's What We're Here For: Nurses Caring For Military Personnel During The Persian Gulf Wars, Patricia Rushton, Lynn Clark Callister, Jared E. Scott

Faculty Publications

Military nursing service during wartime represents significant contributions to a unique type of health care. The purposes of this study were to: (1) generate themes that elucidate combat nursing experiences, (2) honor nurses who served by sharing their stories, and (3) permanently archive accounts of nursing personnel who served during the Persian Gulf Wars during the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Eleven military nurses who provided health care to American troops in the Persian Gulf participated in a historical study as part of the ongoing Nurses at War oral history project documenting the experiences of nurses during times of …

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Dialectic, Perspective, And Drama, Ethan Mckay Sproat Jun 2008

Dialectic, Perspective, And Drama, Ethan Mckay Sproat

Theses and Dissertations

This project is by and large a project of elucidation: it may add something to studies of Kenneth Burke, but I doubt it adds much to Kenneth Burke's studies. This thesis begins and ends with analyses of Burke's famous motto Ad Bellum Purificandum (or Toward the Purification of War). The Introduction focuses on "war" while the Conclusion focuses on "purification." In short, purified war is a dialectical activity which actively and perpetually pits divergent perspectives against each other. Such an activity keeps the conflictual nature of divergent perspectives in verbal and symbolic arenas rather than physical ones. Burke owes this …

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The Role Of Upstream Sequences In Selecting The Reading Frame On Tmrna, Allen R. Buskirk, Mickey R. Miller, David W. Healey, Jonathan D. Dewey, Stephen G. Robison Jun 2008

The Role Of Upstream Sequences In Selecting The Reading Frame On Tmrna, Allen R. Buskirk, Mickey R. Miller, David W. Healey, Jonathan D. Dewey, Stephen G. Robison

Faculty Publications

tmRNA acts first as a tRNA and then as an mRNA to rescue stalled ribosomes in eubacteria. Two unanswered questions about tmRNA function remain: how does tmRNA, lacking an anticodon, bypass the decoding machinery and enter the ribosome? Secondly, how does the ribosome choose the proper codon to resume translation on tmRNA? According to the -1 triplet hypothesis, the answer to both questions lies in the unique properties of the three nucleotides upstream of the first tmRNA codon. These nucleotides assume an A-form conformation that mimics the codon-anticodon interaction, leading to recognition by the decoding center and choice of the …

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Pygmy Rabbit (Brachylagus Idahoensis) Habitat Use, Activity Patterns And Conservation In Relationship To Habitat Treatments, Janet E. Lee Jun 2008

Pygmy Rabbit (Brachylagus Idahoensis) Habitat Use, Activity Patterns And Conservation In Relationship To Habitat Treatments, Janet E. Lee

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined activity patterns and habitat use of pygmy rabbits (Brachylagus idahoensis) in mechanically treated and untreated areas in south-central Utah 2005-2008. We monitored fecal pellet plots in continuous sagebrush habitat as well as along treatment edges to record deposition and leporid presence over timed periods. Pygmy rabbit use of big sagebrush was higher than black-tailed jackrabbits (Lepus californicus) and mountain cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus nuttallii ) (P< 0.01) relative to treated areas (P <0.01). We also compared pygmy rabbit use of areas with continuous sagebrush to residual sagebrush in a sample of mechanically treated areas. Our results suggest a treatment effect with higher (P <0.01) average counts of pygmy rabbit pellets in areas with continuous sagebrush compared to sagebrush strips and islands within treated areas. Before the big sagebrush biotype inhabited by pygmy rabbits is treated to reduce the occurrence and dominance of big sagebrush, we recommend managers consider two options. The first is no treatment, thus preserving, as is, the critical habitat of the pygmy rabbit and other sympatric big sagebrush obligate species of wildlife. The second option cautiously introduces the first prescription of habitat treatment ever recommended in relationship to the pygmy rabbit. This prescription includes recommended widths of the treated areas, seed mixes, widths of the preserved intact big sagebrush habitat for pygmy rabbits as well as suggested grazing systems for domestic livestock. Activity patterns of pygmy rabbits at their burrow were documented through the use of remote cameras. Photographs were analyzed for temporal and seasonal patterns of activity. Our results suggested that time of day was important in the activity level of pygmy rabbits while season was not. Pygmy rabbits were active during all time periods of the day but the greatest levels of activity occurred at night. Numerous other wildlife species were recorded by our remote cameras including other species of leporids, birds, rodents, reptiles and terrestrial predators.

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Effects Of In-Home Positive Behavior Support Training On Parent Perceptions Of Parent-Child Relationships And Maladaptive Behavior, Elisha K. Kamalu Jun 2008

Effects Of In-Home Positive Behavior Support Training On Parent Perceptions Of Parent-Child Relationships And Maladaptive Behavior, Elisha K. Kamalu

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the effects of the positive behavior support program Family HOPE conducted in homes of families of children with disabilities. Graduate students conducted an 8-10 week collaborative method of training for parents of children with disabilities to reduce problem behaviors of their child with a disability. The Parent-Child Relationship Inventory (PCRI) and Scales of Independent Behavior-Revised (SIB-R) were given to both experimental and control group families to investigate the program effects on parents' perceptions of limit setting, parental support, frequency and severity of problem behaviors. Results indicated that there was not a significant pre-post difference for either group …

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