Experimental measurement of efficiency and transport coherence of a cold atom Brownian motor in optical lattices

The rectification of noise into directed movement or useful energy is utilized by many different systems. The peculiar nature of the energy source and conceptual differences between such Brownian motor systems makes a characterization of the performance far from straightforward. In this work, where the Brownian motor consists of atoms interacting with dissipative optical lattices, we adopt existing theory and present experimental measurements for both the efficiency and the transport coherence. We achieve up to 0.3% for the efficiency and 0.01 for the P\'eclet number

Pyometra in Bitches Induces Elevated Plasma Endotoxin and Prostaglandin F(2α )Metabolite Levels

Endotoxemia in bitches with pyometra can cause severe systemic effects directly or via the release of inflammatory mediators. Plasma endotoxin concentrations were measured in ten bitches suffering from pyometra with moderately to severely deteriorated general condition, and in nine bitches admitted to surgery for non-infectious reasons. Endotoxin samples were taken on five occasions before, during and after surgery. In addition, urine and uterine bacteriology was performed and hematological, blood biochemical parameters, prostaglandin F(2α )metabolite 15-ketodihydro-PGF(2α )(PG-metabolite), progesterone and oestradiol (E(2)-17β) levels were analysed. The results confirm significantly increased plasma levels of endotoxin in bitches with pyometra and support previous reports of endotoxin involvement in the pathogenesis of the disease. Plasma concentrations of PG-metabolite were elevated in pyometra bitches and provide a good indicator of endotoxin release since the concentrations were significantly correlated to the endotoxin levels and many other hematological and chemistry parameters. The γ-globulin serum protein electrophoresis fraction and analysis of PG-metabolite can be valuable in the diagnosis of endotoxin involvement if a reliable, rapid and cost-effective test for PG-metabolite analysis becomes readily available in the future. Treatment inhibiting prostaglandin biosynthesis and related compounds could be beneficial for bitches suffering from pyometra

Effects of flow events and nutrient addition on stream periphyton and macroinvertebrates: an experimental study using flumes

We used flume experiments to study the effects of a temporary increase in stream flow on macroinvertebrates, leaf litter breakdown and soft-bodied benthic algae; both as a single stressor and eventually in combination with an increase in nutrient supply. In order to understand how well the flumes reflected the nearby stream ecosystem, we compared species composition of macroinvertebrates and benthic algae between the flumes and the nearby stream from which the flumes were supplied with water. As single stressors, nutrient addition and an increased flow velocity from 1.3 to 2.8 cm s����� 1 lead to an increase in the biomass of benthic algae, likely reflecting an improved transfer of nutrients into algal patches. However, the combined effect of flow and nutrient addition was smaller than the sum of both individual effects, likely because an increased biomass also was more susceptible to scouring. We found differences in macroinvertebrate and benthic algal taxon identity and abundance between stream and flumes. Since biodiversity is assumed to stabilize ecological functioning in response to disturbances and variation, we conclude that care should be taken in applying results from small scale experiments to stream ecosystems.publishedVersio

Grazing resistance allows bloom formation and may explain invasion success of Gonyostomum semen

The nuisance alga Gonyostomum semen (Raphidophyceae) has expanded in the Nordic countries during the last decades and can dominate lake phytoplankton communities almost completely. A possible explanation to its dominance could be limited grazing by zooplankton. We investigated the potential grazing pressure on G. semen using an experimental approach supported by field data. We determined the grazing rate by cladocerans, calanoid copepods, and Chaoborus larvae to determine which were able to feed on G. semen. Only the large cladoceran Daphnia magna was able to feed successfully on G. semen. The large cell size of G. semen was likely a limiting factor for the filtering apparatus of smaller cladocerans. The copepod Eudiaptomus gracilis did not graze on G. semen, although the mechanism behind this selective feeding is still unknown. In addition to the experimental study, we quantified the zooplankton and phytoplankton communities in 40 lakes to determine the composition and abundance of the zooplankton communities co-occurring with G. semen, suggesting that large cladoceran species were not present in lakes where G. semen occurred. Hence, the growth of G. semen is not significantly controlled by grazing in natural systems, which likely facilitates bloom formation and invasion success of G. semen

Influence of the lattice topography on a three-dimensional, controllable Brownian motor

We study the influence of the lattice topography and the coupling between motion in different directions, for a three-dimensional Brownian motor based on cold atoms in a double optical lattice. Due to controllable relative spatial phases between the lattices, our Brownian motor can induce drifts in arbitrary directions. Since the lattices couple the different directions, the relation between the phase shifts and the directionality of the induced drift is non trivial. Here is therefore this relation investigated experimentally by systematically varying the relative spatial phase in two dimensions, while monitoring the vertically induced drift and the temperature. A relative spatial phase range of 2pi x 2pi is covered. We show that a drift, controllable both in speed and direction, can be achieved, by varying the phase both parallel and perpendicular to the direction of the measured induced drift. The experimental results are qualitatively reproduced by numerical simulations of a simplified, classical model of the system

Dog Owners\u27 Perspectives on Canine Dental Health : A Questionnaire Study in Sweden

Periodontal disease is one of the most common diseases affecting dogs, with a reported prevalence of at least 80% in dogs over 3 years of age. However, there is a lack of studies regarding dog owners\u27 assessment of their dog\u27s dental health, and whether they perceive clinical signs often associated with periodontal disease, i.e., dental calculus, halitosis or mobile or lost teeth. A validated questionnaire survey was distributed to all Swedish dog owners with email addresses in the national registry (n = 209,263). The response rate was 32%. The survey questions concerned opinions and practices regarding canine dental health, including assessment of dental health parameters and dog owners\u27 ability to examine their dog\u27s mouth. A construct (α = 0.76) was used to investigate dog owners\u27 assessed symptoms of their dog\u27s dental health in relation to background factors. Half of the respondents rated their dog\u27s dental health as very good. However, one in four dog owners experienced difficulties when inspecting the dog\u27s teeth. The most common reason for this difficulty was stated to be an uncooperative dog. Almost half of the dog owners reported halitosis to some degree in their dog, and almost four in ten owners reported dental calculus. One in eight dogs had been previously anesthetized for dental cleaning, and one in 12 dogs had experienced problems with gum disease, according to the owners. Owners\u27 assessment varied significantly with the dog\u27s age, weight, breed, breed group, sex, and concurrent disease. Owner-related factors that influenced the assessment of the dog\u27s dental health were age, gender, education, county (urban/rural), and whether they were breeders or not. Dog owners with smaller dogs, older dogs and certain breeds predisposed to periodontal disease assessed their dog\u27s dental health as worse than their counterparts, which is in agreement with previously reported higher prevalence of dental disease in these groups. This indicates that dog owners are able to perform relative assessment of their dog\u27s dental health status. Our results also highlight the need for routine professional assessment of periodontal health, as well as education of dog owners and training of dogs to accept dental care procedures

Characterisation of a three-dimensional Brownian motor in optical lattices

We present here a detailed study of the behaviour of a three dimensional Brownian motor based on cold atoms in a double optical lattice [P. Sjolund et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 96, 190602 (2006)]. This includes both experiments and numerical simulations of a Brownian particle. The potentials used are spatially and temporally symmetric, but combined spatiotemporal symmetry is broken by phase shifts and asymmetric transfer rates between potentials. The diffusion of atoms in the optical lattices is rectified and controlled both in direction and speed along three dimensions. We explore a large range of experimental parameters, where irradiances and detunings of the optical lattice lights are varied within the dissipative regime. Induced drift velocities in the order of one atomic recoil velocity have been achieved.Comment: 8 pages, 14 figure

Overvåkning av Glomma, Vorma og Øyeren 2012

Høsten 2012 ble det tatt bunndyr- og begroingsprøver på fem stasjoner i Glomma og én i Vorma. I Øyeren ble det tatt prøver av planteplankton og vannkjemi. Gjennomsnittlig konsentrasjon av total fosfor og klorofyll a var henholdsvis 9.5 µg/l og 2.45 µg/l, tilsvarende svært god økologisk tilstand. Algesammensetningen viste et stort mangfold med lave konsentrasjonen av blågrønnalger. Ved Høyegga i Glomma ble det påvist høye konsentrasjoner av kobber (6 prøver: 4.6-6.4 µg/l), tilsvarende sterkt forurenset tilstand (Klif 1997). På de fleste stasjonene i Glomma var det forholdsvis lave konsentrasjoner av suspenderte partikler (<0.8-4.3 mg/l), totalt fosfor (3-14 µg/l) og totalt nitrogen (200-555 µg/l). De høyeste konsentrasjonene ble påvist på de nederste stasjonene. Basert på alge­begroing hadde de tre øverste stasjonene (Prestfoss, Gjølstadfoss, Bingsfoss) i Glomma svært god-, og de to nederste god tilstand (Solbergfoss, Sarpsfoss). Det var god økologisk tilstand ved Svanfoss i Vorma. Basert på bunndyrsamfunnet var den økologiske tilstanden på øverste stasjon svært god, moderat ved Solbergfoss og god på de øvrige. Den økologiske tilstanden ved Svanfoss var god. Det biologiske mangfoldet uttrykt som antall EPT-arter i bunnfaunaen varierte fra 18 ved Prestfoss til 10 ved Bingsfoss. Bunndyr og algebegroing viste samme tilstandsklasse på tre av seks stasjoner i 2012. På de øvrige stasjonene ga bunndyrindeksen en dårligere tilstand. Basert på vannvegetasjonen karakteriseres undersøkte områder i Vorma som svært gode i forhold til eutrofiering.FM i Oslo og Akershus, Hedmark og Østfol

Overvåking av Gjersjøen og Kolbotnvannet med tilløpsbekker 1972-2014 med vekt på viktige resultater fra 2014

Denne rapporten presenterer en kortfattet oversikt over miljøtilstanden i Gjersjøen og Kolbotnvannet med tilløpsbekker, for perioden 1972 til og med 2014. Undersøkelsene er utført på oppdrag fra Oppegård kommune. Det finnes systematiserte data fra Gjersjøen og Kolbotnvannet helt tilbake til 1972. Observasjoner i sjøene er gjort så langt tilbake som i 1953. Regelmessig overvåking av vannkvaliteten gjennom lang tid gir et godt grunnlag for å se utviklingen av innsjøenes status gjennom hele perioden. Overvåkingen omfatter fysiske, kjemiske og biologiske forhold i innsjøene, samt kjemiske forhold, transport av næringsstoffer og bakteriologiske forhold i tilløpsbekkene. Undersøkelsene av innsjøene og de viktigste tilførselsbekkene genererer mye data. I samråd med oppdragsgiveren Oppegård kommune har vi de siste årene valgt en todeling av rapporteringen av overvåkingen: • En forenklet og kortfattet rapport (denne) som omtaler de viktigste resultatene, trendene og konklusjonene fra undersøkelsene i vassdraget på en pedagogisk måte. • Datarapport med beskrivelser av metoder og presentasjon av rådata, tabeller og figurer med noe utfyllende tekst. Vannkvaliteten i Gjersjøen og Kolbotnvannet med tilløpsbekker er vurdert og tilstandsklassifisert iht. kriteriene som gis i vannforskriften (vanndirektivet). Tilstandsklassifisering av termotolerante koliforme bakterier/E.- coli er ikke inkludert i klassifiseringsveilederen iht. vannforskriften, og vurderingen av bakterieinnhold er derfor gjort iht. SFTs klassifiseringssystem.Oppegård kommune, Vann, avløp og renovasjon, virksomhet VA