A Framework to Regionalize Flow Information in a Catchment with Limited Hydrological Data

This paper describes a framework for mapping flow information from a single gauge to the 9-ungauged river basins with distinct attributes. To establish the basic watershed characteristics at the gauged site, a hydrologic model was calibrated and validated against the historical continuous discharge dataset. The framework was then applied to account for the two watersheds’ proportionality in their similarity, such as the influence of land use on transplanting flow signatures to the ungauged site. Three land-use scenarios-discharges at the ungauged and gauged sites formed the basis of an equation mapping the gauged discharge signal to the ungauged site. In comparison with intermittent observed data, the framework prediction attained a precision of 0.85 ≥ NSE ≤ 0.95, 0.80 ≥ R2 ≤ 0.94, 0.56 ≥ bR2 ≤ 0.89. Despite considerable differences in the watershed area, slope, soils, and land cover, the framework satisfactorily depicted the variation in flow pulses at each of the 9 ungauged discharge sites. In the absence of sufficient hydrological information, for example, the presence of a single gauge, the framework provides an alternative method to estimate flow at ungauged sites, reducing uncertainties in the regionalization of model parameters.

Pathologic complete response confirmed by surgical resection for liver metastases of gastrointestinal stromal tumor after treatment with imatinib mesylate

A 39-year-old male underwent distal gastrectomy for a high grade gastrointestinal stromal tumor(GIST) . Computed tomography(CT) and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) 107 mo after the operation,revealed a cystic mass(14 cm in diameter) and a solid mass(9 cm in diameter) in the right and left lobes of the liver,respectively. A biopsy specimen of the solid mass showed a liver metastasis of GIST. The patient received imatinib mesylate(IM) treatment,400 mg/day orally. Following the IM treatment for a period of 35 mo,the patient underwent partial hepatectomy(S4 + S5) . The effect of IM on the metastatic lesions was interpreted as pathologic complete response(CR) . Pathologically verified cases showing therapeutic efficacy of IM have been rarely reported.

Genotype and phylogenetic characterization of hepatitis B virus among multi-ethnic cohort in Hawaii

AIM: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) genomes in carriers from Hawaii have not been evaluated previously. The aim of thepresent study was to evaluate the distribution of HBV genotypes and their clinical relevance in Hawaii.METHODS: Genotyping of HBV among 61 multi-ethnicc arriers in Hawaii was performed by genetic methods.Three complete genomes and 61 core promoter/precore regions of HBV were sequenced directly.RESULTS: HBV genotype distribution among the 61 carderswas 23.0% for genotype A, 14.7% for genotype B and 62.3% for genotype C. Genotypes A, B and C were obtained from the carriers whose ethnicities were Filipino and Caucasian,Southeast Asian, and various Asian and Micronesian,respectively. All cases of genotype B were composed of recombinant strains with genotype C in the precore plus core region named genotype Ba. HBeAg was detected more frequently in genotype C than in genotype B (68.4% vs 33.3%, P<0.05) and basal core promoter (BCP) mutation (T1762/A1764) was more frequently found in genotype C than in genotype B. Twelve of the 38 genotype C strains possessed C at nucleotide (nt) position 1858 (C-1858).However there was no significant difference in clinical characteristics between C-1858 and T-1858 variants. Based on complete genome sequences, phylogenetic analysis revealed one patient of Micronesian ethnicity as having C1858 clustered with two isolates from Polynesia with T-1858.In addition, two strains from Asian ethnidties were clustered with known isolates in carriers from Southeast Asia.CONCLUSION: Genotypes A, B and C are predominant types among multi-ethnic HBV carriers in Hawaii, and distribution of HBV genotypes is dependent on the ethnic background of the carriers in Hawaii.

Spatial-Temporal Sediment Hydrodynamics and Nutrient Loads in Nyanza Gulf, Characterizing Variation in Water Quality

Accelerated aging and eutrophication of water resources is a world menace attributed to influx of nutrient rich sediment from its catchment, resulting in poor water quality and shifts in ecological dynamism. Nyanza Gulf is a paramount source of livelihood, portable water, and of service to the rich biodiversity making it indispensable to the entire Lake Victoria watershed ecosystem. This water resource has been deteriorating over the past decades as a consequent of anthropogenic socio-economical activities. This has effectuated an increase in phytoplankton and hydrophyte colonies. The objective of this study was to track the quality and quantity of sediment inundation into the gulf considering the catchment micro-basins processes and influence of human socio-economical activities. Using Quantum Geographic Information System (QGIS) as an interface to Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) with input of satellite digital elevation model (DEM), local rainfall, soil and land use data sets were utilized to determine the daily variability in sediment and nutrient loads from five major river basins. The SWAT model was successfully calibrated, and the performance validated with observed hydrological and water quality data. The model achieved identification of seasonal water quality budget filling in knowledge gaps about the catchment. River Nyando, Sondu-Miriu, Awach-Kibuon, Awach-Tende and Kibos discharge sediment loads of 3.91, 1.6, 1.18, 1.06 and 0.78 tons/ha respectively. Total suspended solids (TSS) concentration of up to 578mg/L on average daily is discharged by River Awach-Kibuon. This was associated with intense agricultural activities (>54% of the entire basin) on steep slopes (average 12.97) with Acrisols (15%of the basin) soils that is prone erosion. Poorly managed range-bush land that covers about 10% of this basin also contribute significantly to the TSS yield. River Kibos discharge least TSS concentration of 144.43 mg/L in comparison with other rivers mainly due gentle slope falling into a plain, low erodible Cambisols (covers 20% of the basin) and Ferralsols (10%) as well as Nanga forest effect at its exit. River Awach-Tende and Awach-Kibuon on average discharge 1.67 mg/L and 1.58 mg/L respectively of Total Nitrogen (TN) daily. This was linked to intensive farming on poorly managed dominant Phaeozems and Acrisols that are susceptible to leaching. River Sondu-Miriu is the least contributor with a daily average of 1.1101 mg/L dominated with low leached Nitisols. The bay receives highest Total Phosphorus (TP) loads from River Nyando with daily average of 0.3699 mg/L alluded to high biomass production in the basin and Sondu-Miriu least with 0.0288 mg/L. The fluctuation of nutrients and sediment fluxes correlated positively with rainfall events. The long rainfall season with average regular storm events in March to June yield highest monthly loads as compared to short rainfall season (September to November) with isolated intense storm events over a shorter time. The study depicted poor water quality discharged into the gulf throughout the year by the 5 major basins to be above average of conventional ecological healthy basins.

Development of a Topic Providing System with Inferences of Behaviors from Daily Life

Face-to-face communication is very important skill to share intentions. However, many people in the modem world feel that they are deficient in face-to-face communication. So, we feel that it is necessary to support their face-to-face communication using information technologies. We have developed a topic-providing system that can infer behaviors from daily life and provides users with information about their conversation partner, including that on his hometown, hobbies and life logs when face-to-face communication is initiated. The life logs are details about a user＇s life, and are generated using a Bayesian network on the basis of sensor data provided by our system. This system enables users to access other users＇ information of behaviors from the accumulated life logs and it utilizes this infbrmation to generate topics for conversation. We evaluated the accuracy with which proposal system inferred behaviors to confirm whether exact life log generation is possible. And we also evaluated the proposed system by administering a questionnaire to confirm whether the proposed system can support face-to-face communication.