Experimental assessment of a computer program used in Space Shuttle orbiter entry heating analysis

A high temperature reusable surface insulation (HRSI) tile taken from the Space Shuttle orbiter was subjected to a nominal heating rate of 60 kW/sq m in the laboratory. The surface temperature response to this heating was measured and used as input to a computer program which computed the applied heating rate. The program is part of a software system that is used to infer convective heating rates to the orbiter thermal protection system during entry. The measured and computed heating rates are compared. Results confirm the applicability of this program to the determination of flight heat transfer rates from flight measured surface temperature data

Wind and solar powered turbine

A power generating station having a generator driven by solar heat assisted ambient wind is described. A first plurality of radially extendng air passages direct ambient wind to a radial flow wind turbine disposed in a centrally located opening in a substantially disc-shaped structure. A solar radiation collecting surface having black bodies is disposed above the fist plurality of air passages and in communication with a second plurality of radial air passages. A cover plate enclosing the second plurality of radial air passages is transparent so as to permit solar radiation to effectively reach the black bodies. The second plurality of air passages direct ambient wind and thermal updrafts generated by the black bodies to an axial flow turbine. The rotating shaft of the turbines drive the generator. The solar and wind drien power generating system operates in electrical cogeneration mode with a fuel powered prime mover

Drink wise, age well; reducing alcohol related harm among people over 50: a study protocol

Background: Evidence suggests that the use of alcohol among older adults (defined as those aged 50+) has increased in recent years, with people aged 55-64 now more likely to exceed the recommended weekly guidelines than any other age group. Methods/ design: This is a quasi-experimental study with a before-after design. A postal questionnaire will be sent to 76,000 people aged 50 and over registered with a general practice in five different 'demonstration' (intervention) and control areas in the UK. Multiple interventions will then be delivered in demonstration areas across the UK. At the end of the programme, a postal questionnaire will be sent to the same individuals who completed it pre-programme to establish if there has been a reduction in alcohol use, at-risk drinking and alcohol related problems. Qualitative interviews with clients and staff will explore how the interventions were experienced; how they may work to bring about change and to identify areas for practice improvements. Discussion: This study protocol describes a multi-level, multi-intervention prevention-to-treatment programme which aims to reduce alcohol-related harm in people aged 50 and over

THE EFFECT OF AN EMBARGO OF CALIFORNIA PEACHES

International Relations/Trade,

Factors Affecting Crop Response to Liming

Soil acidity levels directly affect the rate, kinds, and degree of chemical reactions which take place in soil. Crops respond to varying degrees to these chemical reactions. For the most part, these reactions affect the solubility of mineral elements in soil and the activity of the soil\u27s biological processes. As a result, the availability of many plant nutrient elements is regulated by soil acidity. The level of availability of plant required nutrients can be adequate, deficient, or toxic to the plant, depending on the nutrient, soil acidity, and the crop. That is why measurement of soil acidity is regarded by many to be the single most important chemical test for use in determining how well plants are likely to grow in soil. Acidity in soil is best controlled by proper applications of agricultural limestone

Fall Fertilization and Liming for Tobacco Production

Proper nutrition of tobacco is a prerequisite for achieving high yields of cured leaf possessing desirable marketing characteristics. Together with the variety grown, soils, climate, and curing conditions, a desirable nutrient environment greatly influences yield, quality, and usability of the leaf produced. Late summer and early fall is a good time to select fields for future tobacco crops or to sample this year\u27s tobacco fields which will be used for tobacco next year, and to assess their needs for lime, phosphorus, and potassium. Planning fertilization strategies this fall that lead to increased profit is much more effective than waiting until next spring

Will Liming Acid Soils Now Be Adequate for Spring Needs?

Each spring many farmers are faced with seeding forages, corn, and soybeans, and transplanting tobacco into acid soils. The choices are either to go ahead with planting and do nothing, don\u27t plant, or to try some liming practice and hope that it works. The results from planting without doing anything may be disastrous or result in limited crop performance. While not planting is a viable option for some producers, most cannot afford this choice. The question most often faced is, Will liming now do any good for this year\u27s crop

Control Measures for Manganese Toxicity of Burley at Transplating Time

Manganese (Mn) toxicity of burley tobacco is viewed by tobacco specialists in Kentucky as the greatest single factor which reduces yields. Estimates are that this problem adds 30 to 50 million dollars to the cost of burley production because of the greater acreage (and all associated costs) required by growers to produce their allotment. And, even though the cause and cure of Mn toxicity has been known for about 50 years, many growers are caught each year at transplanting time with no knowledge as to whether Mn toxicity may be a problem in their fields. The solution to Mn toxicity is to keep soil pH in the rooting zone from dropping below 5.5-5.8 during the growing season. To accomplish this requires starting the season with a soil pH of about 6,4, If soil pH is near this level before fertilizer is applied and the green manure crop decomposes, there is a much better chance that root zone pH will not drop below 5.5-5.8 after transplanting

How much dystrophin is enough: the physiological consequences of different levels of dystrophin in the mdx mouse

Splice modulation therapy has shown great clinical promise in Duchenne muscular dystrophy, resulting in the production of dystrophin protein. Despite this, the relationship between restoring dystrophin to established dystrophic muscle and its ability to induce clinically relevant changes in muscle function is poorly understood. In order to robustly evaluate functional improvement, we used in situ protocols in the mdx mouse to measure muscle strength and resistance to eccentric contraction-induced damage. Here, we modelled the treatment of muscle with pre-existing dystrophic pathology using antisense oligonucleotides conjugated to a cell-penetrating peptide. We reveal that 15% homogeneous dystrophin expression is sufficient to protect against eccentric contraction-induced injury. In addition, we demonstrate a >40% increase in specific isometric force following repeated administrations. Strikingly, we show that changes in muscle strength are proportional to dystrophin expression levels. These data define the dystrophin restoration levels required to slow down or prevent disease progression and improve overall muscle function once a dystrophic environment has been established in the mdx mouse model

Crystal structure of the yellow 1:2 molecular complex lumiflavin–bisnaphthalene-2,3-diol

In the first molecular complex of the physiologically active neutral form of isoalloxazine studied, lumiflavin–bisnaphthalene-2,3-diol, each flavin is sandwiched between two naphthalenediol molecules with extensive overlap but a moderately large (3·44 Å) spacing, indicating at most weak charge-transfer interaction and in agreement with the yellow colour of the complex, nearly the same as that of the parent lumiflavin