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Environmental Modeling Community of Practice

EXPRESS (EXAMS - PRZM Exposure Simulation Shell) Release Notes


Version: 1.03.02

Corrections & Improvements to Prior Versions

  • Increases precision of data transfer from OPP/EFED PRZM scenario files to Express internal database.

Version: 1.03.01

Corrections & Improvements to Prior Versions

  • Corrects an error in the transmission of zero (0.0) values from Express input panels to Exams simulation inputs. In version 1.03.00, when the entered value is zero (0.0), division by zero is attempted during processing of the input "aquatic system metabolism half-lives" resulting in invalid values in the Exams input stream. This is corrected in version 1.03.01 so that values of 0.0 (zero) for the half-life entries are correctly transmitted as 0.0 (zero) in the Exams simulation input files (i.e., process is rendered inoperative).
  • Adds new regulatory version of FIRST (version 1.01.00 dated 2007-01-01)
  • User guides for GENEEC and FIRST available through Express
  • Institutes several cosmetic changes requested by OPP/EFED:
    • "Select/Create Directory" is replaced by "New Project" and "Find Project" buttons with slightly different functionality (directories cannot be created using "Find Project"). Project loading, user annotation, and deletions functions are still available through Project Management area.
    • Project Management functions revised to resemble Microsoft file management approach: project deletion function includes a Yes/No for deletion of each candidate project and a Cancel for all not-yet-executed remaining deletions.
    • Limitation of +/- 100 days on relative (to crop emergence, etc.) pesticide application dates extended to +/- 350 days. Note, however, that for Tier II analyses the presumption of continuous cultivation and annual use is preserved by relocating applications that cross year boundaries to the appropriate date in every study year. (For example, an application 154 days after a harvest date of August 1st will occur on January 2nd of each year.)
    • The arrow symbols for moving between crops in the Application Date/Method dialog are replaced with labeled buttons.

Version: 1.03.00

Corrections & Improvements to Prior Versions

  • Adds an ability to produce PRZM time-series files for detailed analysis. Uses system metabolism test, rather than biodegradation, for Tier II inputs.

Version: 1.02.00 (not publicly released)

Corrections & Improvements to Prior Versions

  • A meteorological data set for Sterling, VA (Dulles International Airport), covering the years 1963-1990, is included with this and subsequent releases. Years lacking complete rainfall data were deleted from the meteorological data for Lake Charles, LA (1961) and Grand Rapids, MI (1961-1964).

Version: 1.01.02

Corrections & Improvements to Prior Versions

  • The "simulate aged sorption" feature was removed from EXPRESS. Non-EPA versions of PRZM are not supported.
  • Print functions in this release allow dynamic selection of a printer which facilitates color printer selection for color graphics.

Version: 1.00.00.12

Corrections & Improvements to Prior Versions

  • Standard EFED Tier II PRZM Crop Scenarios remain the default starting point for new projects. For simplicity, exiting the group functions screen via "OK" requires re-selecting scenarios, but "Cancel" retains the selected set. The currently active group's file cannot be deleted, but it can be deactivated during group file database maintenance (and thus deleted) by checking the "do not use a group file" box.
  • In previous versions, checking "simulate aged sorption" in the PRZM input parameters area did not force entry of the required parameters. In this case, WinPRZM generated incorrect results without warning. WinPRZM has been deleted from EXPRESS to resolve this issue.

Version: 1.00.00.07

Corrections & Improvements to Prior Versions

  • Errors in hydrolysis data processing have been corrected.

Known Deficiencies

  • "Scenario group functions" must be used with care. Group 1 (currently "Standard EFED" scenarios) is selected by default, and will become the active group upon exiting the scenario group manager unless some action is taken to prevent it. This can be done either by selecting another group, or un-checking the "Do not use a group file" box. As a result, for example, if a particular group has been selected in the "Scenario" area of the input screen, that selection is lost upon return from the scenario group manager. In addition, deleting a group file requires that the action for the group be "delete" and that another group file be selected as the active group (i.e., it is not enough to designate a group file for deletion and check the "Do not use group file" box).
  • Checking "simulate aged sorption" in the PRZM input parameters area does not force entry of the required parameters. In this case, WinPRZM will generate incorrect results without warning. Solution or work-around: be careful to enter appropriate parameters, or uncheck the "simulate aged sorption" box, before writing out the simulation parameters.

Version: 1.00.00.05

Known Deficiencies

  • "Scenario group functions" must be used with care. Group 1 (currently "Standard EFED" scenarios) is selected by default, and will become the active group upon exiting the scenario group manager unless some action is taken to prevent it. This can be done either by selecting another group, or un-checking the "Do not use a group file" box. As a result, for example, if a particular group has been selected in the "Scenario" area of the input screen, that selection is lost upon return from the scenario group manager. In addition, deleting a group file requires that the action for the group be "delete" and that another group file be selected as the active group (i.e., it is not enough to designate a group file for deletion and check the "Do not use group file" box).
  • Checking "simulate aged sorption" in the PRZM input parameters area does not force entry of the required parameters. In this case, WinPRZM will generate incorrect results without warning. Solution or work-around: be careful to enter appropriate parameters, or uncheck the "simulate aged sorption" box, before writing out the simulation parameters.
  • EXAMS hydrolysis data requires the entry of rates at three different pH. This requirement is not enforced by the software. Hydrolysis data from the first chemical contaminates the second chemical dataset when the Master Project File is written.

Version: 1.00.00.04

Known Deficiencies

  • "Scenario group functions" must be used with care. Group 1 (currently "Standard EFED" scenarios) is selected by default, and will become the active group upon exiting the scenario group manager unless some action is taken to prevent it. This can be done either by selecting another group, or un-checking the "Do not use a group file" box. As a result, for example, if a particular group has been selected in the "Scenario" area of the input screen, that selection is lost upon return from the scenario group manager. In addition, deleting a group file requires that the action for the group be "delete" and that another group file be selected as the active group (i.e., it is not enough to designate a group file for deletion and check the "Do not use group file" box).
  • Checking "simulate aged sorption" in the PRZM input parameters area does not force entry of the required parameters. In this case, WinPRZM will generate incorrect results without warning. Solution or work-around: be careful to enter appropriate parameters, or uncheck the "simulate aged sorption" box, before writing out the simulation parameters.

Version: 1.00.00.03

Known Deficiencies

  • "Scenario group functions" must be used with care. Group 1 (currently "Standard EFED" scenarios) is selected by default, and will become the active group upon exiting the scenario group manager unless some action is taken to prevent it. This can be done either by selecting another group, or un-checking the "Do not use a group file" box. As a result, for example, if a particular group has been selected in the "Scenario" area of the input screen, that selection is lost upon return from the scenario group manager. In addition, deleting a group file requires that the action for the group be "delete" and that another group file be selected as the active group (i.e., it is not enough to designate a group file for deletion and check the "Do not use group file" box).
  • Checking "simulate aged sorption" in the PRZM input parameters area does not force entry of the required parameters. In this case, WinPRZM will generate incorrect results without warning. Solution or work-around: be careful to enter appropriate parameters, or uncheck the "simulate aged sorption" box, before writing out the simulation parameters.

Version: 1.00.00.02

Corrections & Improvements to Prior Versions

  • Repaired the problem associated with the "Run" function. The "Run" function no longer fails if a project folder is selected directly from the scenario manager.

Known Deficiencies

  • "Scenario group functions" must be used with care. Group 1 (currently "Standard EFED" scenarios) is selected by default, and will become the active group upon exiting the scenario group manager unless some action is taken to prevent it. This can be done either by selecting another group, or un-checking the "Do not use a group file" box. As a result, for example, if a particular group has been selected in the "Scenario" area of the input screen, that selection is lost upon return from the scenario group manager. In addition, deleting a group file requires that the action for the group be "delete" and that another group file be selected as the active group (i.e., it is not enough to designate a group file for deletion and check the "Do not use group file" box).
  • Checking "simulate aged sorption" in the PRZM input parameters area does not force entry of the required parameters. In this case, WinPRZM will generate incorrect results without warning. Solution or work-around: be careful to enter appropriate parameters, or uncheck the "simulate aged sorption" box, before writing out the simulation parameters.

Version: 1.00.00.01

Corrections & Improvements to Prior Versions

  • Repaired issue related to executing files in a project directory that has an embedded blank in the directory name.

Known Deficiencies

  • "Scenario group functions" must be used with care. Group 1 (currently "Standard EFED" scenarios) is selected by default, and will become the active group upon exiting the scenario group manager unless some action is taken to prevent it. This can be done either by selecting another group, or un-checking the "Do not use a group file" box. As a result, for example, if a particular group has been selected in the "Scenario" area of the input screen, that selection is lost upon return from the scenario group manager. In addition, deleting a group file requires that the action for the group be "delete" and that another group file be selected as the active group (i.e., it is not enough to designate a group file for deletion and check the "Do not use group file" box).
  • If a project folder is selected directly from the scenario manager, the "Run" function fails. Solution or work-round: navigate to project folders from the EXPRESS main screen.
  • Checking "simulate aged sorption" in the PRZM input parameters area does not force entry of the required parameters. In this case, WinPRZM will generate incorrect results without warning. Solution or work-around: be careful to enter appropriate parameters, or uncheck the "simulate aged sorption" box, before writing out the simulation parameters.

Version: 1.0

Corrections & Improvements to Prior Versions

  • First released through CEAM in January, 2005.

Known Deficiencies

  • EXPRESS will permit creation of a project directory with an embedded blank, but cannot execute files in the created project subdirectory. Solution or work-around: descriptive directory text must be separated with underscores rather than blank spaces.