Streak camera recording of shock wave transit times at large distances using laser illumination

A pulsed laser illumination system for streak camera recording of impact-induced shock wave transit times (~1 µs) during impact experiments is described. Laser illumination of centimeter-sized subjects offers many advantages over diffuse illumination techniques for streak photography. Source-to-sample and sample-to-camera distances of ~10^0 to 10^1 m can be employed. Light filtering, and simultaneous recording of both the impact event and the camera streak rate calibration, can be carried out easily. For use in such a system we describe a Pockels cell controller in which the reference 10-MHz oscillator signal is synchronously divided down to 38 Hz to provide a trigger signal for laser and streak camera testing

A portable strain meter with continuous interferometric calibration

A strain meter has been designed embodying techniques not used in earlier models. Minimum use of heavy and permanent auxiliary fixtures has made possible a portable instrument in which no components need be abandoned in order to change location. Provision for frequent or continuous interferometric calibration, and a photographic record therof, has provided uninterrupted strain measurements with long-term dependability. Also included is the usual continuous low-speed ink recorder for tidal and secular variations, and a high-gain band-pass recorder for the observation of long period waves and free oscillations of the earth. Details are given describing the method used for interpreting the interferometer image and its conversion to strain measurement

THE U.S. DAIRY INDUSTRY

Agribusiness,

Will Changing Demographics Affect U.S. Cheese Demand?

U.S. cheese consumption has grown considerably over the last three decades. Using a censored demand model and Nielsen Homescan retail data, this study identifies price and non-price factors affecting the demand for differentiated cheese products. Own-price and expenditure elasticities for all of the cheese products are statistically significant and elastic. Results also reveal that a strong substitution relationship exists among all cheese products. Although demographic influences are generally smaller than those related to prices and expenditures, empirical findings show that household size, college educated female heads of household who are age 40 and older, residing in the South, Central, and Western regions of the United States, as well as Black heads of household, have positive statistically significant effects on consumers’ cheese purchases.cheese form, cheese purchase, demand elasticities, demographic and economic factors, Nielsen Homescan data, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Marketing, C25, D12, Q11,

A TRADE LIBERALIZATION IN INTERNATIONAL DAIRY MARKETS

International dairy industries remain among the most distorted agricultural sectors. Dairy average bound tariffs remain among the highest of all agricultural commodities, and dairy trade is characterized by a large number of megatariffs and tariff-rate quotas (TRQs). The objective of our study is to examine how the international dairy markets might respond to policy changes under various assumptions, using a partial equilibrium, multiple-commodity, multiple-region model of agricultural policy and trade. Our results indicate that liberalization will reduce supplies, increase dairy trade, and raise world prices.Dairy Markets, Trade Liberalization, Model, Policy, International Relations/Trade,

Hollow silicon microneedle fabrication using advanced plasma etch technologies for applications in transdermal drug delivery

A novel production process flow is presented here for the manufacture of hollow silicon microneedles using deep reactive-ion etching (DRIE) technology. The patent-pending three-step process flow has been developed to produce multiple arrays of sharp-tipped, hollow microneedles, which facilitate easy insertion and controlled fluid injection into excised skin samples. A bevelled tip and vertical sidewalls for the microneedle have been achieved with good uniformity, despite >45% open etch area. Processing steps and etch challenges are discussed, and preliminary skin testing results are presented, showing effective needle insertion and delivery of fluorescent dye into ex vivo skin from human breast tissue

Determining the Competitive Edge: Diversified Dairy Production Systems in the United States and the European Union

Agricultural and Food Policy, Farm Management, Livestock Production/Industries, Production Economics, Productivity Analysis,