Statistical characterization of carbon phenolic prepreg materials, volume 1

The objective was to characterize several lots of materials used for carbon/carbon and carbon/phenol product manufacture. Volume one is organized into testing categories based on raw material of product form. Each category contains a discussion of the sampling plan, comments and observations on each test method utilized, and a summary of the results obtained each category

Global mean sea surface computation based upon a combination of SEASAT and GEOS-3 satellite altimeter data

A mean sea surface map was computed for the global ocean areas between 70 deg N latitude and 62 deg S latitude based upon the 70 day SEASAT and 3.5 year GEOS-3 altimeter data sets. The mean sea surface is presented in the form of a global contour map and a 0.25 deg x 0.25 deg grid. A combination of regional adjustments based upon crossover techniques and the subsequent adjustment of the regional solutions into a global reference system was employed in order to minimize the effects of radial orbit error. A global map of the crossover residuals after the crossover adjustments are made is in good agreement with earlier mesoscale variability contour maps based upon the last month of SEASAT collinear data. This high level of agreement provides good evidence that relative orbit error was removed to the decimeter level on a regional basis. This represents a significant improvement over our previous maps which contained patterns, particularly in the central Pacific, which were due to radial orbit error. Long wavelength, basin scale errors are still present with a submeter amplitude due to errors in the PGS-S4 gravity model. Such errors can only be removed through the improvement of the Earth's gravity model and associated geodetic parameters

Germination response of coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) zygotic embryo

The study investigated the effects of liquid and solid media in the propagation of coconut (Cocos nucifera) zygotic embryos at initiation stage. Eeuwen’s medium supplemented with growth hormones naphthalene acetic acid ( NAA) and indole butyric acid (IBA) at different concentrations (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5mg/l) were used for this experiment in both liquid and solid states. Results showed that liquid state medium was better compared to solid state, with a successful shoot emergence of 46.7% of inoculants, compared to 13.3% in the solid state. Within 2 – 4 weeks, 77.8% of germinated zygotic embryo developed shoots in the liquid medium compared to 50% rate in the solid medium. Comparing zygotic embryo development in NAA and IBA, results showed that root yields were better in NAA, with inoculants in 1.5 mg/l NAA showing profuse rooting compared to 0.5 – 2.0 mg/l IBA with no root development. Keywords: Coconut, Eeuwen’s medium, hormones, root yield, zygotic embry

Antibiotic prescribing frequency amongst patients in primary care: a cohort study using electronic health records

BACKGROUND: Reducing inappropriate antibiotic prescribing in primary care is a public health priority. Objectives: We hypothesized that a subset of patients account for the majority of antibiotic prescriptions in primary care. We investigated the relationship between the total amount of antibiotics prescribed, individual-level antibiotic use and comorbidity. METHODS: This was a cohort study using electronic health records from 1 948 390 adults registered with 385 primary care practices in the UK in 2011-13. We estimated the average number of antibiotic prescriptions per patient and the association between prescribing and comorbidity. We modelled the impact on total prescribing of reducing antibiotic use in those prescribed antibiotics most frequently. RESULTS: On average 30.1% (586 194/1 948 390) of patients were prescribed at least one antibiotic per year. Nine percent (174 602/1 948 390) of patients were prescribed 53% (2 091 496/3 922 732) of the total amount of antibiotics, each of whom received at least five antibiotic prescriptions over 3 years. The presence of any comorbidity increased the prescribing rate by 44% [adjusted incidence rate ratio (IRR) 1.44, 95% CI 1.43-1.45]; rates of prescribing to women exceeded those in men by 62% (adjusted IRR 1.62, 95% CI 1.62-1.63). CONCLUSIONS: Half of antibiotics prescribed to adults in primary care were for <10% of patients. Efforts to tackle antimicrobial resistance should consider the impact of this on total prescribing

Magnetorotational Instability in Liquid Metal Couette Flow

Despite the importance of the magnetorotational instability (MRI) as a fundamental mechanism for angular momentum transport in magnetized accretion disks, it has yet to be demonstrated in the laboratory. A liquid sodium alpha-omega dynamo experiment at the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology provides an ideal environment to study the MRI in a rotating metal annulus (Couette flow). A local stability analysis is performed as a function of shear, magnetic field strength, magnetic Reynolds number, and turbulent Prandtl number. The later takes into account the minimum turbulence induced by the formation of an Ekman layer against the rigidly rotating end walls of a cylindrical vessel. Stability conditions are presented and unstable conditions for the sodium experiment are compared with another proposed MRI experiment with liquid gallium. Due to the relatively large magnetic Reynolds number achievable in the sodium experiment, it should be possible to observe the excitation of the MRI for a wide range of wavenumbers and further to observe the transition to the turbulent state.Comment: 12 pages, 22 figures, 1 table. To appear in the Astrophysical Journa

Sclerotium Rot Disease Management in Sunflower (Helianthus annuus, L.) with Sawdust or Ash Extract

The potency of sawdust or ash extracts of Gmelina arborea and Ficus exasperata to manage Sclerotium rot disease of two sunflower varieties (SAMSUN 1 and SAMSUN 2) was investigated. Sunflower plants were sprayed with 50% extracts once every three weeks after planting. Results showed that all extracts significantly (p&lt;0.05) reduced the incidence and severity of the disease. Specifically, ash extracts of G. arborea and F. exasperata reduced the incidence of Sclerotium rot disease on sunflower plants and minimized disease development, thereby, preventing achene and flower infection. Seeds from the plots sprayed with ash extracts of F. exasperata recorded significant lower fungal infection ranging from 23.78 to 40.04% compared to unsprayed plots (70.29 to71.27%). Similarly, germination percentage of seeds from sprayed plots was significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher (range: 67.21 to 89.71%) than that of control (15.09 to 20.14%). Seed stored with extracts had a significantly (p&lt;0.05) lower fungal incidence (13.61 to 16.11%) than that without extract (21.81 to 24.11%). Likewise, extract-stored seeds recorded significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher germination (69.11and 98.14%) than control (17.26 and 20.17%). In conclusion, sawdust or ash extracts of G. arborea and F. exasperata were comparable to Benlate (Benzimidazoles 50% WP) in their effect to suppress Sclerotium rot disease in sunflower varieties; therefore they hold promising prospects for use in the management of sunflower Sclerotium rot disease

A modern tale of success in the forest of Sherwood.

The article considers strategies used by a cluster of schools in a low income context to support children's abilities, attainment and aspirations

Geospatial Analysis of Renewable Energy Technical Potential on Tribal Lands

This technical report uses an established geospatial methodology to estimate the technical potential for renewable energy on tribal lands for the purpose of allowing Tribes to prioritize the development of renewable energy resources either for community scale on-tribal land use or for revenue generating electricity sales