Individual based modeling of North Atlantic common minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) migratory and foraging behaviour in the Nordic Seas

The North Atlantic common minke whale (Balaenoptera Acutorostrata) is an abundant, top-level marine predator in the Nordic Seas and Barents Sea ecosystems whose large-scale migratory and foraging behaviors are widely unknown. Understanding these behaviors may offer important insight into their life-history and management-unit structuring as defined by the International Whaling Commission. Existing modeling do not incorporate spatially-explicit movements of individual minkes, limiting our ability to investigate their large- scale behaviors. In this study, an individual based model (IBM) for minke whales is developed as an extension of the NORWECOM.E2E ecosystem model to identify behaviors that may contribute to minke distribution in the Nordic Seas. The energetic reward of both their use of migration within predominant currents and four large-scale foraging strategies are investigated. First, the effect on minke migration from ocean circulation and migration path selection are tested by running simulations with variation in activation of currents and paths (into and out of the Nordic Seas) along the Norwegian coast, the Norwegian Sea center, and the Greenland coast. Simulations are then run with variation in foraging strategies: random-walk, migration only, and periodic searching for maximum prey density with either random-walk or migration along the route determined to be optimal. NORWECOM.E2E model output of Norwegian spring-spawning herring, blue whiting, and mackerel are used as prey-fields. The optimal migration route is found to be in along the Norwegian coast and out through the Norwegian Sea center, with mean migration durations of 24.611 ± 0.051 d and 24.997 ± 0.041 d. Foraging that incorporates migration and 10 d periods of maximum prey density searching is found to have the highest foraging efficiency index (2.381 ± 0.435). Random- walk movement with maximum prey density searching had similarly high in- dex (2.256 ± 0.444), along with an increase in mean individual whale movement of 14.159 km d^_1 whale^_1 . The development of a minke IBM is an important addition of a high-level predator in Nordic Seas and Barents Sea modeling efforts, and the results from this study could have implications for minke population structuring and success in these areas. With migration throughout the Nordic Seas being energetically viable, interaction between whales categorized as separate sub-stocks could be possible. As an unvalidated model with key improvements necessary, further development of individual based modeling of minkes with more dynamic data is encouraged.JMAMN-MCLIMCLI39

Predicting Current and Future Alfalfa Hay Prices in Seven Western States

Alfalfa hay prices were analyzed in the seven western states. Utah hay prices were most closely correlated with Oregon and Washington hay prices. Corn grain, feeder cattle, and milk prices all impact alfalfa hay prices, as do the May 1 USDA hay stocks and alfalfa hay exports. Using these price relationships, an alfalfa hay pricing tool was developed to predict hay prices up to 9 months into the future

A Financial Analysis of Alternative Levels of Facility Investment Associated with Installing an Automatic Milking System

This fact sheet models some of the key variables impacting profitability of AMS and explicitly considers three different levels of capital investment in facilities in addition to the capital cost of the AMS. The specific objective is to determine how the level of capital investment in additional facilities impacts the profitability of an AMS

The effectiveness of bilateral versus unilateral task retraining using the SaeboFlex device in individuals with subacute and chronic stroke [abstract]

This study compares the effectiveness of unilateral and bilateral task retraining using the SaeboFlex orthosis in individuals with upper extremity (UE) dysfunction following a cerebrovascular accident (CVA). While individually, bilateral task training and the SaeboFlex orthosis used unilaterally appear to be effective in increasing UE function after stroke, no research has been done to date to determine whether bilateral training using the SaeboFlex is more effective than unilateral training

Solar Water Disinfection with Parabolic and Flat Reflectors

Solar water disinfection (SODIS) is a process by which microbially contaminated water is disinfected by transmitting solar ultraviolet (UVA and UVB) radiation to the water, damaging bacterial DNA and rendering them inactive. The purpose of this project was to define a residence time after which the water is effectively disinfected. The water was contained in quartz tubes, which were held over flat and parabolic reflectors. While UVA and UVB radiation are mostly diffuse and independent of reflector style, water temperature is affected by solar concentration. Two reflector styles were studied to identify how insolation level and water temperature are related and how that affects the bacteria inactivation process. A lab strain of E.coli, DH5a, was inoculated into sterile water and treated. 5-log reduction was achieved after two hours, regardless of water temperature or insolation level. The reflector style did not have a measurable effect on inactivation of E.coli. The water temperature, however, greatly increased due to the parabolic reflectors. The parabolic reflectors were, on average, two times more thermally efficient than the flat plates

Reflux classification of South African coal.

Master of Science in Engineering, Chemical Engineering. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 2016.In mineral processing, the value of a particle is inexorably related to its specific gravity (Galvin et al., 2009). As a result, gravity concentration is widely employed in the beneficiation of valuable minerals from the associated waste mineral matter as separation of a feed into two or more fractions is accomplished according to particle density (Napier-Munn and Wills, 2006). Although gravity separation aims to separate particles primarily according to density, the size and shape of the particles also contributes to the separation achieved. Thus, the suppression of the effect of particle size in gravity separation is crucial in the mineral processing industry. There have been numerous developments in the field of gravity separation equipment that are able to selectively, and consistently, fractionate a feed according to density by manipulating hydrodynamic forces in different system configurations. This study investigated the gravity separation of fine coal samples with a relatively high ash content using a new and innovative technology, the Reflux Classifier. The novel design of the device incorporates a set of inclined plates attached to the top of a conventional fluidised bed. Thus, the device combines the uniform flow conditions of the liquid fluidised bed and the well-established throughput advantage of the lamella settler (Nguyentranlam and Galvin, 2001). The premise of the research entailed the concentration of small quantities of fine high ash South African coal (particles finer than 1000 μm) according to density through both batch and semi-continuous investigations. A laboratory scale reflux classifier with three distinct inclined sections (70° from the horizontal), consisting of 6, 8, 12 channels with perpendicular channel spacings of 6.50, 4.50 and 2.10 mm respectively was built and commissioned at UKZN. Batch test-work was conducted on each of the 3 configurations using fluidisation flowrates of 3, 6, 9 and 12 l/min. The investigation proved promising and moderate to high upgrade in the overflow product was achieved in the 8 and 12 channel configurations, with significant improvement at higher flowrates. With an operating fluidisation rate of 9 l/min, the upgrades ranged from 40% to 80% in the -1000 + 75 μm size range for all channel spacings tested. Moreover, in the size range comprising particles finer than 75 μm, for which gravity separation techniques are typically ineffective, a reduction in ash content from 60.71% to 36.81% was attained when using the narrowest channel spacing (12 channels with 2.10 mm channel spacing), which translated to an upgrade (reduction in ash content compared to the feed) of 39.72%. Furthermore, an upgrade in the product of up to 85% in the coarser size ranges (+600 μm) was realised. Overall, a reduction in feed ash content from roughly 60% to 36.59% was attained at a yield of 50.97% using 12 channels. These results encouraged semi-continuous tests on this configuration, which generated yields ranging from 57%-69% with a relatively low ash content, typically between 32%-40% (compared to a feed ash of roughly 60%), in the -106 + 75 μm size range. Additionally, consistently high upgrades were seen throughout the entire duration of the run for particles larger than 106 μm, approaching an upgrade of 85% at the coarsest particle size. An overall yield of 57.91% was achieved, with a reduction in overall ash from 56.69% in the feed to 33.11% in the product, which constituted an upgrade of approximately 42%. Particle re-suspension behaviour induced by high aspect ratios, which heavily promotes density driven separation, was also noted in the 12 channel configuration

The impact of a fluctuating freezing front on ice formation in freezing soil

Thesis (M.S.) University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2012Frost heave is typically associated with the formation of segregation ice in fine-grained soil. Coarse-grained soil is generally considered to be non-frost susceptible. Field observa-tions and laboratory experiments show that coarse-grained soil can be extremely ice-rich in specific conditions. Previous studies have shown that oscillation of the frozen-unfrozen boundary can lead to the formation of ice by a mechanism different from the segregation ice mechanism. Conditions related to the formation of ice in coarse-grained soil were in-vestigated using modern laboratory techniques. Fourteen tests were conducted on five soil types. The thickness of soil subjected to freeze-thaw cycles was varied and controlled by the magnitude and duration of applied soil temperatures. The thickness of the ice formed increased when the sample drainage was limited or prevented during cooling. Under spe-cific conditions, the formation of a discrete ice layer was observed in coarse-grained soils. Seven samples were scanned with the pCT scanner at the completion of the warming and cooling tests. The sub-samples scanned were analyzed in 2D cross-sections, and charac-terized as 3D reconstructions. Frost heave induced by the formation of ice was observed in both fine- and coarse-grained soils, including soils that were found to be traditionally non-frost susceptible.Alaska Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (AK EPSCoR

Going beyond FADN: The use of additional data to gain insights into extension service use across European Union Member States

This paper examines the use of extension services by farm households across eight European Union (EU) Member States, exploring the type of extension service engaged with, the degree of engagement and the type of information sought. The impact of extension on economic, environmental and social sustainability is also considered. European data utilised are those collected from a pilot sample of 820 households in 2015/2016 as part of the EU Framework 7 project FLINT, from which the Irish results are incorporated further with Irish Farm Accountancy Data Network data. The results outline the key contrasts across the countries investigated and suggest that the degree to which households engage with extension services is primarily\ud infl uenced by national policies. In addition, this analysis indicates that the extent of this engagement has implications for sustainability at the farm level. The final conclusions and policy recommendations in this paper support the development of a large-scale version of the FLINT pilot survey

Analog Circuits for Computing

This project entails designing, simulating, and verifying analog circuits that can perform essential computing functions for power systems applications. The project aims to remedy critical challenges associated with handling calculations digitally, namely, time and power. This project\u27s scope includes creating a library of circuits in SPICE that can be used to model and simulate complex mathematical equations. From these SPICE models, the circuit can be constructed physically, where the solution can be generated in less time using less power than doing the computation digitally. The performance and efficiency of analog computing will be measured and compared to conventional digital methods