USGS Streamflow Data and Modeling Sand-Bed Rivers

United States Geological Survey streamflow data are commonly used for hydraulic model calibration and boundary conditions. The transitory nature of sand-bed rivers’ bathymetry is problematic for the traditional automated stream gauging methods used by the USGS. This note seeks to assess the limitations of streamflow measurements for use in hydraulic models. An overview of USGS rating-curve development and use is presented with a focus on the specific challenges of sand-bed rivers. Measurements from three consecutive USGS gauges for a storm event on the Rio Grande in Albuquerque, New Mexico, illustrate the outlined problems with rating curves. These gauges are utilized to study the impact of uncertainty in rating-curve discharges on hydraulic model results. A one dimensional hydraulic model of the study reach indicates up to 25% reduction in the calculated flow depth if questionable rating-curve discharges are used as model input. Recommendations for using USGS streamflow data in hydraulic models are outlined.     

Similarity and assumed similarity in personality reports of well-acquainted persons.

The authors obtained self- and observer reports of personality from pairs of well-acquainted college students. Consistent with previous findings, results of Study 1 showed strong cross-source agreement for all 6 HEXACO personality factors (rs ≈ .55). In addition, the authors found modest levels of similarity (r ≈ .25) between dyad members' self-reports on each of 2 dimensions, Honesty-Humility and Openness to Experience. For these same 2 factors, dyad members' self-reports were correlated with their observer reports of the other dyad member (r ≈ .40), thus indicating moderately high assumed similarity. In Study 2, Honesty-Humility and Openness to Experience were the 2 personality factors most strongly associated with the 2 major dimensions of personal values, which also showed substantial assumed similarity. In Study 3, assumed similarity was considerably stronger for close friends than for nonfriend acquaintances. Results suggest that assumed similarity for Honesty-Humility and Openness to Experience reflects a tendency to overestimate one's similarity to persons with whom one has a close relationship, but only on those personality characteristics whose relevance to values gives them central importance to one's identity. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Antibacterial activity of peptides extracted from tryptic hydrolyzate of whey protein by nanofiltration

Ultrafiltration permeate of whey protein tryptic hydrolyzate was processed by nanofiltration (NF) to obtain retentate (NFR) and permeate (NFP) that were then tested as inhibitors of Listeria, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. NFR at 20 mg mL^?1 was most effective as an inhibitor (P < 0.001); whereas E. coli was relatively resistant, the effect on Listeria and S. aureus was greater at 20 mg mL^?1 than at 10 mg mL^?1 (P < 0.01). Peptide analysis revealed that NFR was rich in anionic peptides over eight amino acid residues in length. The antibacterial activity of two anionic peptides (84–91 and 125–135) and a cationic peptide (36–42) derived from β-lactoglobulin was tested. Peptide 125–135 was more inhibitory (P < 0.05) than peptide 84–91 against Listeria monocytogenes and S. aureus; peptide 36–42 was not inhibitory. NFR appears to have potential as a natural bio-preservative.     

Consistent data operations for multi-databases in extended possibility-based data models

This paper considers the data operation for multi-databases in an extended possibility-based data model. Owing to the complexity of the data model considered, inconsistent redundancy of tuples may occur when database relations being operated are associated with different resemblance relations on a given domain. This work first demonstrates the inconsistency problem, and then presents the notions of consistency constraints for multi-database design. Under the constraints, the extended possibility-based databases using different resemblance relations can preserve consistent redundancy.     

Accessory child safety harnesses: Do the risks outweigh the benefits?

Accessory child safety harnesses are available in some countries as alternative restraints for young children or as an accessory restraint used with booster seats. Their use, in Australia at least, is becoming more common. There have been concerns that the risk of misuse of these restraints outweighs any potential benefit this system might have over a retractable lap-shoulder belt system used with a booster seat. However to date there is no evidence to confirm or deny this. This study used laboratory simulated frontal crash tests to examine the performance of accessory child safety harness systems compared to the lap-shoulder belt when used alone and when used with two common designs of Australian booster seat. The performance of the child safety harness system when misused was also investigated. The results demonstrate that the correctly used child safety harness system performed no better than the lap-shoulder system, and in fact allows for a greater risk of submarining. Furthermore, one common form of child safety harness misuse, where the harness is over-tightened causing the lap belt to be positioned high over the abdomen, allowed extremely undesirable dummy motion. This involved gross submarining and direct contact between the harness system and the dummy's neck. These findings suggest that the risks associated with accessory child safety harness systems most likely outweigh any potential benefits, in frontal impacts at least.     

Expert knowledge acquisition: A methodology for GIS assisted industrial land suitability assessment

Aquestionnaire was designed to acquire expert knowledge concerning land suitability assessment for three industrial land uses. The suitability criteria definition and factor weights collected by the questionnaire were integrated into a GIS framework. The interaction of the expert, questionnaire and GIS modelling environment can benefit the plan making process.     

Propellant cohesive fracture during the peel test of a propellant/liner structure

The integrity of propellant/liner structures in rocket motors is critical to ensure controlled combustion of the engine. In an effort to improve the bonding between the liner and the propellant, it is necessary to characterize it well. Therefore, a propellant–liner structure, bounded thanks to co-curing, has been submitted to a peel test while recording the macroscopic fracture energy and the local displacement field on the propellant-free surface. The experimental setup includes two cameras in order to record the displacement field on the propellant-free surface. Upon loading, the peel force stabilizes quickly due to a cohesive fracture in the propellant, providing access to the fracture energy. While the crack propagates through the propellant, it is observed that only a small localized area is submitted to strain, and most of the structure remains unstrained.