Electric motors for the farm

A quarter-horsepower motor can operate any machine that can be manually operated by an able-bodied man. Such a motor can drive any farm machine ordinarily turned by hand at a cost of about 1 cent per hour for electricity. A 1/4-horsepower motor costs from $5 to$18; a good reliable heavy-duty motor costs only $11.50, and it will last for many years. In this time it will do dozens of chores such as pumping water, turning separators, grinding corn, driving fanning mills and shelling corn. With proper care electric motors will give years of low-cost, trouble-free service, but with improper care a motor may wear out in a year or burn out in a few minutes. Unlike a gasoline engine which stalls when overloaded, the electric motor will continue to do work even when overloaded and run until its winding insulation goes up in smoke

Paved floors and lots for Iowa farms

Paved yards and feeding floors are a valuable asset on livestock farms, particularly where lots are flat and poorly drained. At no time are paved yards more appreciated than during periods of prolonged rainfall or in the late winter and early spring when frost thaws out and yards are seemingly bottomless. Livestock farmers who have enjoyed the use of paved yards and feeding floors will tell you that these improvements offer the following advantages: Livestock not forced to waste energy in wading through knee-deep, mud make more rapid gains. Paved yards can be kept sanitary, which means healthier, more thrifty animals. Chores are made easier. More manure is saved for producing bigger crops. Feed is saved because it is not trampled into the mud. This is important for hogs following steers. For the dairyman, a paved strip keeps the barn and cows cleaner and it reduces labor necessary for washing the cows before milking. Where yards are sloping, pavement prevents soil erosion in rainy weather; prevents undermining of foundations from eaves-drip

DNA fingerprinting in anthropological genetics: past, present, future

In 1985, Sir Alec Jeffreys developed the variable-number tandem repeat method used to identify individuals and giving researchers the first DNA fingerprints. These initial methods were used in anthropological genetics, a field that uses a comparative approach to answer questions about human history, including the discernment of the origin of Native American populations and the discrimination of clan affiliation from individuals in Siberia. The technological and methodological advances since this time have led to the use of many more markers, including restriction fragment length polymorphisms, Y chromosomal and autosomal short tandem repeats, single nucleotide polymorphisms, and direct sequencing not only to identify individuals, but to examine frequencies and distributions of markers (or “prints”) of entire populations. In the field of anthropological genetics these markers have been used to reconstruct evolutionary history and answer questions concerning human origins and diaspora, migration, and the effects of admixture and adaptation to different environments, as well as susceptibility and resistance to disease. This review discusses the evolution of DNA markers since their application by Sir Alec Jeffreys and their applications in anthropological genetics

Observations on the San Fernando Dams

A review of the Upper and Lower San Fernando dams during the 1971 San Fernando earthquake is presented in light of current understanding of post-liquefaction behaviour. The concepts of liquefaction, limited liquefaction, cyclic mobility, partial drainage, water filming, and mixing are discussed in relation to these dams. Blowcount data is reviewed and the critical zones of hydraulic fill within each dam are found to have comparable values of N1/3-cs. Limit equilibrium and finite difference stress/ deformation analyses support a minimum post-earthquake strength for the dams of approximately 14 to 24 kPa (300 to 500 psf). The importance of partially-drained behaviour to post-liquefaction response is stressed

Discriminating among single locus models using small pedigrees

Simulated small pedigrees (2 parents, 4 offspring) were used to illustrate the applications and limitations of a “model choice” approach designed to detect genetic heterogeneity in familial diseases. While it is possible to identify groups of pedigrees which have different genetic causes for quantitative phenotypic trait(s), theoretical limitations on discriminating between 4 single locus models exist for certain pedigree structures. These limitations originate from the overlapping phenotypic predictions of the various genetic models. Such limitations must be carefully considered in the design of genetic studies. Studies aimed at detecting genetic heterogeneity in familial diseases should limit the different genetic models being considered and tailor the sampling strategy to avoid collecting pedigrees which are non-informative for certain comparisons.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/38232/1/1320060307_ftp.pd

Survey on Path Planning of Mobile Robot with Multi Algorithms

Sensible practical environment for path and continuous motion preparation problems usually involves various operational areas coupled with indoor usage comprising of multiple apartments, corridors, a few doors and several static and active obstacles in between. The disintegration of this system into limited areas or regions indicates an effect on the fun preparation of appropriate pathways in a complex setting. Many algorithms are designed to solve problems with narrow passages and with optimal solution for more than one field. Independent mobile robot gadget would have felt the stability of its abilities, the steadfastness and the question of resilience with the project and the implementation of an innovative as well as an efficient plan with the best approach. Navigation algorithms reaching a certain sophistication in the field of autonomous mobile robot, which ensures that most work now focuses on more specialized activities such as efficient route planning and navigation across complex environments. Adaptive way to prepare and maneuver needs to establish learning thresholds, legislation to identify areas and to specify planned requirements of the library. The aim of this survey is studying many algorithms to view the advantage and disadvantage for each method then can use optimal method depended on this study

Estimating genetic and non-genetic components of variance for fasting glucose levels in pedigrees ascertained through non-insulin dependent diabetes

Fasting glucose levels measured on 337 individuals in 14 pedigrees ascertained through a proband with non-inuslin dependent diabetes were used to estimate genetic and non-genetic components of variance under a multifactorial model of inheritance. In this sample genetic factors were important in controlling variation in basal carbohydrate metabolism, as represented by age-adjusted log-fasting glucose. There was no evidence that arbitrary sib common environments or arbitrary parent common environments accounted for significant portions of the variability in fasting glucose in these data. An arbitrary environment shared by parent and offspring, however, had a marginally significant impact on the likelihood. Parameter estimates obtained from multifactorial models analysed in this manner are sensitive to extreme phenotypic values, however, and caution must be exerciese in estimating total genetic variation. While additive genetic factors did account for a significant proportion of the total variation in fasting glucose, a large proportion remained unexplained.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/66167/1/j.1469-1809.1982.tb01586.x.pd

Cyclic Multi-Directional Response of Clay Deposits: Evaluating a Constitutive Model

The focus of this study is to verify the capabilities of a constitutive model to mimic a wide range of monotonic and cyclic multi-directional stress paths in clays. The generalized elasto-plastic constitutive formulation of the model enables to describe stress-strain response, accumulation of permanent deformations and excess pore pressure in monotonic and multi-directional cyclic loading. The model is calibrated based on the experimental database on the Gulf of Mexico clay developed at Texas A&M, including the constant rate strain (CRS) consolidation as well as monotonic triaxial tests. Capabilities of the calibrated model to predict the cyclic multi-directional stress paths are then evaluated through comparison with the results of cyclic, circular, and figure 8 multi-directional simple shear tests as a part of the Gulf of Mexico clay experimental database. We also used the extensive database for Boston Blue Clay (BBC) to calibrate model constants and verify its capabilities to mimic the monotonic and cyclic response of lower plasticity clays. The model proves successful to predict a wide range of complicated cyclic multi-directional stress paths for clays

Compressor Types, Classifications, And Applications.

Tutorialpg. 183-188The compressor industry has emerged from the decade of the 1980s right sized, streamlined, and computerized. Management trends include a broadening of responsibility for all departments. In order to satisfy these new responsibilities, maintenance, operations, and engineering personnel need continuous review of compressor types, classifications, and applications. Companies are discovering the void in talent that right sizing has created and most organizations retain a core group of experienced professionals who are utilized as a reference resource. The turbomachinery grass roots introduction seeks to present elementary compressor concepts to all interested parties. This group will also certainly need a working knowledge of aerodynamics, blade design (and repair), magnetic bearing theory, and advanced thermodynamic concepts. The compressor types introductory program does not address these more advanced topics. Compressor Types starts at the beginning of the user/manufacturer relationship with applications. Moreover, utilizing Balje's [ 1] work on specific speed as a focal point, the following concepts will be covered at entry level: • Fan, blower, compressor differentiation • Curve shape and where to operate • Head, flow, horsepower; calculations • The specific speed of positive displacement machinery • The specific speed of single stage centrifugals • Applications Vents Flares Oxidizers Overhead recompression Process recompression Transmission The Compressor Types Program is an ongoing program offered by the Turbomachinery Laboratory at Texas A&M University to assist industry professionals in gaining exposure to elementary compressor concepts to help them assume their broadening compressor responsibilities in the 1990s