Long range injection laser radar

Describes a diode laser radar with range up to 7 km for passive targets. The system includes a pulsed single-heterostructure stacked diode laser array, transmitting and receiving optics, a silicon avalanche detector unit and associated electronics. Theory and experimental results are discusse

Urologische Nierensteinbehandlung

Die Nephrolithiasis ist eine für die Betroffenen belastende und für das Gesundheitssystem sehr teure urologische Erkrankung. Die Indikation zur aktiven Behandlung von Steinen im Nierenbecken-Kelchsystem richtet sich im Wesentlichen nach der Konkrementgrösse und der klinischen Symptomatik. Das Ziel einer modernen Nierensteintherapie ist die vollständige Entfernung aller Konkremente im Nierenbeckenkelchsystem bei geringstmöglicher Morbidität. Die Extrakorporale Stosswellenlithotripsie (ESWL), die Perkutane Nephrolitholapaxie (PNL) und die flexible Ureterorenoskopie (URS) sind die wesentlichen Behandlungsmodalitäten für die Therapie der Nephrolithiasis. Abhängig von Steingrösse, -lokalisation und -härte wird diesen verschiedenen Therapiemöglichkeiten eine unterschiedliche Priorität zugeordnet. Aufgrund signifikanter technischer Fortschritte im Bereich der Endourologie zeigt sich heute international ein zunehmender Trend hin zur flexiblen URS, welche aus verschiedenen Gründen eine viel versprechende Methode zur Behandlung von Nierensteinen darstellt. = As a disease, nephrolithiasis can not only be exceedingly bothersome for the respective patients, it is also very expensive for our public health system. Indications for an active treatment of renal calculi go mainly according to the stone size as well as the clinical symptoms. The goal of modern nephrolithiasis treatment is the complete removal of all stones from the pelvi-calyceal system with the lowest possible morbidity. Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy, percutaneous nephrolitholapaxy and flexible ureterorenoscopy are the main options for treatment. According to the stonesize, -localisation and -composition these options are given different priorities. However, due to significant technical progress in the field of endourology there is a clear trend towards flexible ureterorenoscopy, which is a promising modality for the treatment of kidney stones for a number of reasons

Ruminal protein degradability of a range of tropical pastures

The rumen degradability parameters of the diet selected by two to four oesophageal-fistulated Brahman steers grazing a range of tropical pastures were determined by incubation of extrusa in nylon bags suspended in the rumen of rumen-fistulated (RF) Brahman steers. The effective protein degradability (Edg) was determined by measuring the rate of disappearance of neutral detergent insoluble nitrogen (NDIN) less acid detergent insoluble nitrogen (ADIN) in the incubated extrusa. Six to eight RF steers also grazed each of the pastures along with the oesophageal-fistulated steers, to allow determination of key rumen parameters and rumen particulate matter fractional outflow rates (FOR). The seven pastures studied included: native tropical grass (C) pasture (major species Heteropogon contortus and Bothriochloa bladhii), studied in the early wet (NPEW), the wet/dry transition (NPT) and the dry (NPD) seasons; introduced tropical grass (C) pasture (Bothriochloa insculpta), studied in the mid wet season (BB); the introduced tropical legumes (C ), Lablab purpureus (LL) and Clitoria ternatea (BP); and the temperate grass (C) pasture, ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum, RG). Using the measured particle FOR values in calculations, the Edg estimates were very high for both C and C species: 0.82-0.91 and 0.95-0.98 g/g crude protein (CP), respectively. Substitution of an assumed FOR (k = 0.02/h) for the measured values for each pasture type did not markedly affect estimates of Edg. However, C tropical grasses had much lower effective rumen degradable protein (ERDP) fractions (23-66 g/kg DM) than the C pasture species RG and LL (356 and 243 g/kg DM, respectively). This was associated with a lower potential degradability and degradation rate of organic matter (OM) in sacco, lower in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) and CP concentrations in the extrusa, and lower ammonia-N and branched-chain fatty acid concentrations in rumen fluid for the tropical grasses. As tropical grass pastures senesced, there was a decline in Edg, the ERDP and rumen undegradable protein (UDP) fractions, the potential degradability and degradation rate of OM and the IVOMD. These results provide useful data for estimating protein supply to cattle grazing tropical pastures

A threatened ecological community: research advances and priorities for Banksia woodlands

The rapid expansion of urban areas worldwide is leading to native habitat loss and ecosystem fragmentation and degradation. Although the study of urbanisation’s impact on biodiversity is gaining increasing interest globally, there is still a disconnect between research recommendations and urbanisation strategies. Expansion of the Perth metropolitan area on the Swan Coastal Plain in south-western Australia, one of the world’s thirty-six biodiversity hotspots, continues to affect the Banksia Woodlands (BWs) ecosystem, a federally listed Threatened Ecological Community (TEC). Here, we utilise the framework of a 1989 review of the state of knowledge of BWs ecology and conservation to examine scientific advances made in understanding the composition, processes and functions of BWs and BWs’ species over the last 30 years. We highlight key advances in our understanding of the ecological function and role of mechanisms in BWs that are critical to the management of this ecosystem. The most encouraging change since 1989 is the integration of research between historically disparate ecological disciplines. We outline remaining ecological knowledge gaps and identify key research priorities to improve conservation efforts for this TEC. We promote a holistic consideration of BWs with our review providing a comprehensive document that researchers, planners and managers may reference. To effectively conserve ecosystems threatened by urban expansion, a range of stakeholders must be involved in the development and implementation of best practices to conserve and maintain both biodiversity and human wellbeing