The babcock test for the estimation of butterfat in milk and cream

From time to time inquiries are received from dairy farmers, and others, for details of the technique of the Babcock Test. An endeavour is made in the following article to describe in simple form the various steps in the manipulation of the test while, at the same time, drawing the attention of the beginner to the difficulties which may be encountered, and the necessary precautions to be observed, in order to obtain accurate and satisfactory results

Examining the Potential Role of Descriptive Norms in Landscape Water Conservation Programs

The study reported here was conducted to inform potential social norms approaches to water conservation programs. Using a theoretically informed survey instrument, we examined Floridians\u27 perceived descriptive norms of close-peer, neighborhood, state, and national groups pertaining to water conservation. Respondents perceived that people conserved less as groups became more distant and perceived that conservation among close peers was most strongly related to their own conservation practices. When we considered perceptions of the four groups together, we found that only perceptions of close peers\u27 conservation efforts significantly predicted respondents\u27 conservation behaviors. Our findings revealed opportunities to highlight descriptive norms as an Extension strategy, especially among clientele\u27s close peers

Towards Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen quantum channel multiplexing

A single broadband squeezed field constitutes a quantum communication resource that is sufficient for the realization of a large number N of quantum channels based on distributed Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen (EPR) entangled states. Each channel can serve as a resource for, e.g. independent quantum key distribution or teleportation protocols. N-fold channel multiplexing can be realized by accessing 2N squeezed modes at different Fourier frequencies. We report on the experimental implementation of the N=1 case through the interference of two squeezed states, extracted from a single broadband squeezed field, and demonstrate all techniques required for multiplexing (N>1). Quantum channel frequency multiplexing can be used to optimize the exploitation of a broadband squeezed field in a quantum information task. For instance, it is useful if the bandwidth of the squeezed field is larger than the bandwidth of the homodyne detectors. This is currently a typical situation in many experiments with squeezed and two-mode squeezed entangled light.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures. In the new version we cite recent experimental work bei Mehmet et al., arxiv0909.5386, in order to clarify the motivation of our work and its possible applicatio

Testing Lorentz invariance by use of vacuum and matter filled cavity resonators

We consider tests of Lorentz invariance for the photon and fermion sector that use vacuum and matter-filled cavities. Assumptions on the wave-function of the electrons in crystals are eliminated from the underlying theory and accurate sensitivity coefficients (including some exceptionally large ones) are calculated for various materials. We derive the Lorentz-violating shift in the index of refraction n, which leads to additional sensitivity for matter-filled cavities ; and to birefringence in initially isotropic media. Using published experimental data, we obtain improved bounds on Lorentz violation for photons and electrons at levels of 10^-15 and below. We discuss implications for future experiments and propose a new Michelson-Morley type experiment based on birefringence in matter.Comment: 15 pages, 8 table

Investigations of offshore beach sands : Virginia Beach and Sandbridge, Virginia

The City of Virginia Beach is faced with an ongoing problem of erosion along its ocean beaches. The Resort Strip, the backbone of beach-going tourism in the Commonwealth, must be renourished annually. Steel bulkheads or seawalls have been constructed along most of the 7 km (4.5 mile) ocean shoreline of Sandbridge, a semi-private, ocean-side community. The City is looking for beach material to reestablish its sandy coast. Maintaining a protective and recreational beach is the_primary goal in both locales. Previous sources of sand for the Resort Strip have been upland borrow pits that either have closed or are located too far from the shore for economically feasible truck-haul. Most recent nourishment efforts have relied on a large dredge material stockpile at Lynnhaven Inlet. Although, this stockpile is adequate at present for beach nourishment, it must be transported by truck and its future as a sand resource is not certain. (more ....

Effects of sand-mining on benthic communities and resource value : Thimble Shoal, Lower Chesapeake Bay

In August 1990 the City of Hampton placed approximately 276,000 cubic yards of sand from a designated borrow site on Thimble Shoal onto Buck:roe Beach for beach restoration. The Buck:roe reserve identified by Kimball et al. (1989) contains large quantities of beach quality material and is located less then 2.5 km offshore of Buck:roe Beach. In early 1989 a small section (330 m by 240 m) located in 5 m of water was delineated and permitted for dredging. This project represents the first instance of permitted, sand-mining activities for beach nourishment in the lower bay. Although the impacts of the project on the benthic community were projected to be low (Kimball et al. 1989), the Commonwealth of Virginia retains an interest in the quality of state-owned bottomlands and, consequently, recognized the need to monitor the recovery of the site to provide information for modeling of similar projects in the future. This report summarizes results of monitoring activities and assesses the impacts on benthic (bottom) communities and resource value

Report to the Coastal Erosion Abatement Commission Commonwealth of Virginia concerning the Inventory of Sand Supplies in the Southern Chesapeake Bay

In its report to the Governor and the General Assembly of Virginia (Senate Document No. 4, Commonwealth of Virginia, 1979), the Coastal Erosion Abatement Commission found that there is a need to locate sources of sand supplies for rebuilding public beaches. Certain bottom areas in the lower Chesapeake Bay should be studied as possible sources of sand supply for public beaches. And toward that end, the Commission recommended that The School of Marine Science, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William and Mary, study and analyze possible sources of sand supply in the lower Chesapeake Bay and vicinity for rebuilding public beaches. This report describes the investigations undertaken during the first year of the appropriation, July 1980 through June 1981

Final Report to the Coastal Erosion Abatement Commission, Commonwealth of Virginia concerning the inventory of sand supplies in the southern Chesapeake Bay

This final report to the Coastal Erosion Abatement Commission concerning the inventory of sand supplies in the southern portion of Chesapeake Bay is a continuation of the work reported on in September 1981 (Byrne et al). The report includes technical appendices in addition to the general text