Automatic amino acid analyzer

Analyzer operates unattended or up to 15 hours. It has an automatic sample injection system and can be programmed. All fluid-flow valve switching is accomplished pneumatically from miniature three-way solenoid pilot valves

Design, characterization, and fabrication of solar-retroreflective cool-wall materials

Raising urban albedo increases the fraction of incident sunlight returned to outer space, cooling cities and their buildings. We evaluated the angular distribution of solar radiation incident on exterior walls in 17 U S. climates to develop performance parameters for solar-retroreflective walls, then applied first-principle physics and ray-tracing simulations to explore designs. Our analysis indicates that retroreflective walls must function at large incidence angles to reflect a substantial portion of summer sunlight, and that this will be difficult to attain with materials that rely on total internal reflection. Gonio-spectrophotometer measurements of the solar spectral bi-directional reflectivity of a bicycle reflector showed little to no retroreflection at large incidence angles. Visual comparisons of retroreflection to specular first-surface reflection for four different retroreflective safety films using violet and green lasers suggest their retroreflection to be no greater than 0.09 at incidence angles up to 45°, and no greater than 0.30 at incidence angles of up to 70°. Attempts to produce a two-surface retroreflector with orthogonal mirror grooves by cutting and polishing an aluminum block indicate that residual surface roughness impedes retroreflection. Ongoing efforts focus on forming orthogonal surfaces with aluminized Mylar film, a material with very high specular reflectance across the solar spectrum. We investigated (1) folding or stamping a free film; (2) adhering the film to a pre-shaped substrate; or (3) attaching the film to a flat ductile substrate, then shaping. The latter two methods were more successful but yielded imperfect right angles

Inferring the rules of social interaction in migrating caribou

Social interactions are a significant factor that influence the decision-making of species ranging from humans to bacteria. In the context of animal migration, social interactions may lead to improved decision-making, greater ability to respond to environmental cues, and the cultural transmission of optimal routes. Despite their significance, the precise nature of social interactions in migrating species remains largely unknown. Here we deploy unmanned aerial systems to collect aerial footage of caribou as they undertake their migration from Victoria Island to mainland Canada. Through a Bayesian analysis of trajectories we reveal the fine-scale interaction rules of migrating caribou and show they are attracted to one another and copy directional choices of neighbours, but do not interact through clearly defined metric or topological interaction ranges. By explicitly considering the role of social information on movement decisions we construct a map of near neighbour influence that quantifies the nature of information flow in these herds. These results will inform more realistic, mechanism-based models of migration in caribou and other social ungulates, leading to better predictions of spatial use patterns and responses to changing environmental conditions. Moreover, we anticipate that the protocol we developed here will be broadly applicable to study social behaviour in a wide range of migratory and non-migratory taxa. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Collective movement ecology’

Phyllochron Development in Cool-Season Forage Grasses

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between grass leaf insertion rate and accumulated growing degree-days, and determine the phyllochron for five perennial forage grass species and two cultivars of each species. Species field seeded in solid stands were crested wheatgrass [Agropyron desertorum (Fisch. ex. Link) Schult.], intermediate wheatgrass, [Thinopyrum intermedium Barkw. & Dewey:Syn:A. intermedium (Host) Brauv], western wheatgrass [Pascopyrum smithii (Rybd) L ve], green needlegrass (Stipa viridula Trin.), and smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss). Species phyllochron differences ranged from 77 GDD for Mandan 404 smooth bromegrass to 114 GDD for Lodorm green needlegrass. Phyllochron differences were greater among species than cultivars within species which suggests a single equation is adequate for predicting species phyllochron for determining grazing readiness

Apparatus in the form of a disk for the separation of oxygen from other gases and/or for the pumping of oxygen and the method of removing the oxygen

An apparatus in the form of a disk for the separation of oxygen from gases, or for the pumping of oxygen, uses a substantially circular disk geometry for the solid electrolyte with radial flow of gas from the outside edge of the disk to the center of the disk. The reduction in available surface area as the gas flows toward the center of the disk reduces the oxygen removal area proportionally to provide for a more uniform removal of oxygen

Row Spacing and Productivity of Russian Wild Rye Pastures in Semiarid Environments

To sustain forage yields in dry years in semiarid climates, row spacings \u3e59cm have been recommended for Russian wild rye [Psathyrostachys juncea (Fisch.) Nevski] (Lawrence & Heinrichs, 1968). However, wide row spacings promote weed invasion, soil erosion, and elevated plant crowns resulting in a rough, washboard ground surface (Kilcher, 1961). Jefferson and Kielly (1998) suggested a 30-cm row spacing for optimum sustainable forage yields in Russian wild rye in the semiarid prairie region of Canada. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between row spacing and productivity of Russian wild rye at two semiarid sites near Mandan, in the northern Great Plains region of the USA (46º 48\u27 N latitude, 100º 55\u27 W longitude)

PENGARUH TINGKAT PENDIDIKAN DAN PEKERJAAN TERHADAP ORAL HYGIENE PADA IBU HAMIL DI RSUD MEURAXA BANDA ACEH

ABSTRAKNama: Muhammad AdriansyahProgram Studi: Kedokteran GigiJudul:Pengaruh Tingkat Pendidikan dan Pekerjaan Terhadap Oral Hygiene pada Ibu Hamil di RSUD Meuraxa Banda AcehPendidikan adalah faktor sosial ekonomi yang mempengaruhi status kesehatan. Pekerjaan dihubungkan dengan tingkat pendidikan dan penghasilan, dimana pekerjaan membutuhkan latar belakang pendidikan yang tinggi, dan penghasilan dimana seseorang mempunyai penghasilan lebih besar maka akan mampu memenuhi kebutuhan dalam menjaga kesehatan gigi dan mulut. Selama masa kehamilan, wanita mengalami beberapa perubahan fisiologis yang menyebabkan terjadinya perubahan hormonal. Perubahan fisiologis juga berdampak pada perubahan menjaga kesehatan gigi dan mulut, sehingga wanita hamil lebih rentan terkena masalah gigi dan mulut. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui pengaruh tingkat pendidikan dan pekerjaan terhadap oral hygiene pada ibu hamil di RSUD Meuraxa Banda Aceh. Jenis penelitian ini bersifat analitik dengan metode cross sectional untuk melihat hubungan antar dua variabel. Penelitian ini melibatkan 48 subjek yang memenuhi kriteria inklusi. Subjek penelitian mengisi kuisioner yang diberikan serta diperiksa tingkat kebersihan rongga mulutnya. Data dianalisis dengan SPSS menggunakan Korelasi Spearman. Hasil uji menunjukkan ada pengaruh yang signifikan antara tingkat pendidikan (

Applications of aerospace technology to petroleum extraction and reservoir engineering

Through contacts with the petroleum industry, the petroleum service industry, universities and government agencies, important petroleum extraction problems were identified. For each problem, areas of aerospace technology that might aid in its solution were also identified, where possible. Some of the problems were selected for further consideration. Work on these problems led to the formulation of specific concepts as candidate for development. Each concept is addressed to the solution of specific extraction problems and makes use of specific areas of aerospace technology

Latitudinal and Longitudinal Adaptation of Smooth Bromegrass Populations

Breeding progress has been slow in smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss) since its introduction to North America. Much of the variability among cultivars appears to have arisen by natural selection and adaptive responses. The objective of this study was to determine if smooth bromegrass cultivars differ in latitudinal or longitudinal adaptation, as measured by forage yield, and if that variability relates to their breeding or selection history. The target region was defined as the Great Plains to the East Coast of the USA, from 38 to 47 degrees N latitude. Twenty-nine cultivars and experimental populations were evaluated for forage yield at up to seven locations ranging from central to eastern USA. Populations were classified according to pooled population main effect and population x location interaction effect (G + GL deviations). Cluster analysis resulted in eight clusters that explained 90% of the variation among G + GL deviations. One cluster consisted of populations average in adaptation, four clusters consisted of populations that were largely unadapted across the entire region, and three clusters consisted of populations that were specifically adapted to the entire region or a large part thereof. Much of the grouping and adaptation characteristics could be explained by similar pedigrees, selection history, and selection location. However, the phenotypic similarity of some superior, but divergent-pedigree populations suggested that alleles for high and stable forage yield in smooth bromegrass probably exist in numerous germplasm sources. Despite a history of little to no gains in forage yield, these results suggest unrealized potential for future improvement of forage yield of smooth bromegrass across a broad geographic region

Genetic Progress From 50 Years of Smooth Bromegrass Breeding

Since its introduction from Eurasia, smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.) has become an important cool-season forage grass in North America. The objective of this study was to document breeding progress in smooth bromegrass between 1942 and 1995 in North America. Thirty cultivars or experimental populations were tested at up to seven sites in the eastern and central USA, with a range of soil types and climates. There have been small genetic changes in forage yield, brown leafspot resistance [caused by Pyrenophora bromi (Died) Drechs.], in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) concentration. Brown leafspot resistance increased gradually, averaging 0.21 units decade(-1). Mean forage yield did not change for cultivars developed after 1942, but was 0.54 Mg ha(-1) (7.2%) higher for the post-1942 group than in \u27Lincoln\u27, a direct representative of smooth bromegrass introduced into North America. Selection for increased IVDMD led to an average increase in IVDMD of 9 g kg(-1) (1.4%), an increase in forage yield of 0.33 Mg ha(-1) (5.0%), and a decrease in NDF of -8 g kg(-1) (-1.2%) in the post-1942 group. The slow rate of progress for smooth bromegrass forage yield is due to its complex polypoid inheritance, emphasis on traits other than forage yield, and relatively little concentrated attention from public and private breeders