The impact of rainfall distribution methods on streamflow throughout multiple elevations in the Rocky Mountains using the APEX model-Price River watershed, Utah.

The hydrology of mountainous watersheds in the western United States is significantly influenced by snow year-round. It is widely known that topography affects precipitation; however, the knowledge of how watershed rainfall designation methods affect streamflow is not well understood for high-relief areas. The objectives of this study were to assess the predictive capability of the Agricultural Policy/Environmental eXtender (APEX) model to simulate streamflow in a snowmelt-dominated watershed with high spatial rainfall variability through (a) allocating weather stations to sub-basins based on a conventional Thiessen polygon method (CM) or a rainfall-elevation-based input (RE) and using an areal average Parameter-Elevation Regression on Independent Slopes Model (PRISM) rainfall designation and (b) improving the snowmelt processes in the Price River watershed, Utah.

Effectiveness of soil conditioners to enhance salt extraction ability of in saline-sodic soil for different soil moisture contents.

Soil salinity is considered one of the main types of soil degradation in semiarid environments around the globe. This work aims to evaluate the effectiveness of soil conditioners to enhance the growth and salt extraction ability of for different soil moisture contents. plants were cultivated in pots in which the soils were treated with the following conditioners: control; gypsum + organic matter; elemental sulfur + organic matter; and gypsum + elemental sulfur + organic matter.

Spectral reflectance characteristics of soils in northeastern Brazil as influenced by salinity levels.

In northeastern Brazil, large swaths of once-productive soils have been severely degraded by soil salinization, but the true extent of the damage has not been assessed. Emerging remote sensing technology based on hyperspectral analysis offers one possibility for large-scale assessment, but it has been unclear to what extent the spectral properties of soils are related to salinity characteristics. The purpose of this study was to characterize the spectral properties of degraded (saline) and non-degraded agricultural soils in northeastern Brazil and determine the extent to which these properties correspond to soil salinity.

Relationships between sleep quality and pH monitoring findings in persons with gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Background: Nighttime reflux has been shown to be associated with esophageal mucosal injury, complications, and extra-esophageal manifestations. However, few studies have assessed the impact of gastroesophageal reflux on reported quality of sleep and quality of sleep on gastroesophageal reflux.

Aims: The aims of this study were (1) to determine the correlation between the severity of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms and esophageal acid contact time and subjects' perceived quality of sleep; (2) to investigate the correlation between reported quality of sleep of the night prior and severity of GERD symptoms and esophageal acid contact time the following day; and (3) to define in a sleep laboratory the correlation between acid reflux events and sleep architecture.

Functional heartburn patients demonstrate traits of functional bowel disorder but lack a uniform increase of chemoreceptor sensitivity to acid.

Background: Functional heartburn (FH) patients have a profound impact on the response to anti-reflux therapy of the nonerosive reflux disease (NERD) group as compared to the response of the erosive esophagitis group. Thus far, there is paucity of information about their physiological and clinical characteristics that may separate them from the other NERD patients.

Aim: To compare physiological and clinical characteristics of patients with FH to their counterparts within the NERD group (NERD-positive [NERD+]).

Clinical predictors of Barrett's esophagus length.

Background: Assessment of clinical factors associated with Barrett's esophagus (BE) length remained within the realm of anecdotal reports or one center's experience. The aim of this multicenter study was to determine which clinical factors are highly correlated with the length of BE.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with BE were recruited into the study from 5 academic centers in the United States.

Is there a relationship between obstructive sleep apnea and gastroesophageal reflux disease?

Background And Aims: The causative relationship between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) remains an area of controversy. The aim of the study is to further explore the relationship between OSA and GERD in a large group of patients with OSA.

Methods: One hundred thirty-six patients referred for polysomnographic studies at the University of Arizona Sleep Center were included in this study.

The relationship between the esophageal tissue content of neurotensin and the presence or absence of esophageal inflammation.

Neurotensin (NT) decreases lower esophageal sphincter pressure and impedes gastric emptying, thus exacerbating gastroesophageal reflux. The aim was to determine the content of esophageal tissue NT in patients with erosive esophagitis compared to those with normal endoscopy with or without abnormal acid exposure. Consecutive patients (N = 21) with gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms underwent an upper endoscopy, at which two biopsies from opposite walls were obtained from normal-appearing mucosa.

Progression or regression of Barrett's esophagus--is it all in the eye of the beholder?

Objectives: Accurate measurements of Barrett's esophagus length are important in clinical follow-up as well as in studies of therapeutic intervention in Barrett's esophagus. Our aim was to evaluate both the inter- and intraobserver reliability in measuring Barrett's length during two consecutive endoscopies by either the same or different experienced endoscopists. The relationship between Barrett's mucosa length and the absolute change in Barrett's length measurements on a follow-up endoscopy was also evaluated.

A predictive model for length of Barrett's esophagus with hiatal hernia length and duration of esophageal acid exposure.

Background: A significant correlation between the duration and height of esophageal acid exposure and the length of Barrett's mucosa has been demonstrated. The aims of this study were to determine if there is a correlation between hiatal hernia length and Barrett's esophagus length, and to develop a predictive model for Barrett's esophagus length by using hiatal hernia length and duration of esophageal acid exposure.

Methods: Consecutive patients with Barrett's esophagus diagnosed endoscopically were enrolled in the study.