Comparing various hardware/software solutions and conversion methods for Controller Area Network (CAN) bus data collection

Various hardware and software solutions exist for collecting Controller Area Network (CAN) bus data. Digital data accuracy could vary based upon different data logging methods (e.g., hardware/software timing, processor timing, etc.). CAN bus data were collected from agricultural tractors using multiple data acquisition solutions to quantify differences among collection methods and demonstrate potential data accumulation rates. Two types of data were observed for this study. The first, CAN bus frame data, represents data collected for each line of hex data sent from an ECU. One issue with frame data is the resulting large file sizes, therefore a second logging format collected was an averaged frame signal, or waveform dataset. Because of its smaller file size, waveform data could be more desirable for long periods of collection. Percent difference was calculated from two sets of frame data logs using different hardware/software combinations, and a frame data log was also compared to a waveform data log. The resulting difference was less than 0.0025 RPM for engine speed comparisons, zero for fuel rate and fuel temperature comparisons, and the mean percent difference was less than 0.08% between the methods of data collection. The error production could have resulted from noise in hardware and processor times, but was not found to increase as time progressed. This showed that even though errors existed between logging methods, the magnitude of errors would not negatively impact any practical agricultural field research applications. Thus, data logged by the different devices was similar and files requiring less memory would be desired. Selecting a waveform CAN bus data logging option would likely maintain digital data accuracy while reducing file storage and processing needs

Spatial Variations in Nutrient and Microbial Transport from Feedlot Surfaces

Nutrient and microbial transport by runoff may vary at different locations within a beef cattle feedlot. If the areas making the largest contributions to nutrient and microbial transport can be identified, it may be possible to institute site‐specific management practices to reduce runoff nutrient and microbial transport. The objectives of this study were to: (1) measure selected feedlot soil properties and nutrient and microbial transport in runoff from various feedlot locations, (2) compare the effects of unconsolidated surface materials (USM) (loose manure pack) and consolidated subsurface materials (CSM) (compacted manure and underlying layers) on nutrient and microbial transport, and (3) determine if nutrient and microbial transport in runoff are correlated to selected feedlot soil characteristics. Simulated rainfall events were applied to 0.75 m wide by 2 m long plots. No significant differences (P \u3c 0.05) in feedlot soil characteristics or nutrient transport in runoff were found between USM and CSM. However, concentrations of E. coli were significantly greater in the USM than the CSM. Pen location was found to significantly influence feedlot soil measurements of Bray‐1 P, calcium, chloride, copper, electrical conductivity (EC), loss on ignition, organic N, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, sulfur, total N (TN), water‐soluble P, and zinc. Runoff measurements of dissolved phosphorus (DP), EC, and NH4-N were significantly influenced by pen location and were correlated to selected feedlot soil characteristics. Thus, it may be possible to estimate DP, EC, and NH4-N in runoff from selected feedlot soil parameters

Nutrient and Microbial Transport from Feedlot Surfaces

Nutrient and microbial transport by runoff may vary at different locations within a beef cattle feedlot. If the areas making the largest contributions to nutrient and microbial transport can be identified, it may be possible to institute site-specific management practices to reduce runoff nutrient and microbial transport. The objectives of this study were to: a) measure selected feedlot soil properties, and nutrient and microbial transport in runoff from various feedlot locations b) compare the effects of unconsolidated surface materials (USM) (loose manure pack) and consolidated subsurface materials (CSM) (compacted manure and underlying layers) on nutrient and microbial transport, and c) determine if nutrient and microbial transport in runoff are correlated to selected feedlot soil characteristics. Simulated rainfall events were applied to 0.75-m wide by 2-m long plots. No significant differences (P \u3c 0.05) in feedlot soil characteristics or nutrient transport in runoff were found between USM and CSM. However, concentrations of E. coli were significantly greater in the USM than the CSM. Pen location was found to significantly influence feedlot soil measurements of Bray 1-P, calcium, chloride, copper, electrical conductivity (EC), loss on ignition, organic-N, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, sulfur, total N (TN), water soluble P, and zinc. Runoff measurements of dissolved phosphorus (DP), EC, and NH4-N were significantly influenced by pen location and were correlated to selected feedlot soil characteristics. Thus, it may be possible to estimate DP, EC, and NH4-N in runoff from selected feedlot soil parameters

Myo-Inositol and phytate are toxic to Formosan subterranean termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

© 2014 Entomological Society of America. Several rare and common monosaccharides were screened for toxic effects on the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, with the aim of identifying environmentally friendly termiticides. myo-Inositol and phytic acid, which are nontoxic to mammals, were identified as potential termite control compounds. Feeding bioassays with termite workers, where both compounds were supplied on filter paper in concentrations from 160.2 to 1,281.7μg/mm3, showed concentration-dependent toxicity within 2 wk. Interestingly myo-inositol was nontoxic when administered to termites in agar (40 mg/ml) in the absence of a cellulosic food source, an unexplained phenomenon. In addition, decreased populations of termite hindgut protozoa were observed upon feeding on myo-inositol but not phytate-spiked filter paper. Radiotracer feeding studies using myoinositol-[ 2-3H] with worker termites showed no metabolism after ingestion over a 2-d feeding period, ruling out metabolites responsible for the selective toxicity

Temperature Dependent Conformational Transitions and Hydrogen Bond Dynamics of the Elastin-Like Octapeptide GVG(VPGVG): a Molecular Dynamics Study

A joint experimental / theoretical investigation of the elastin-like octapeptide GVG(VPGVG) was carried out. In this paper a comprehensive molecular dynamics study of the temperature dependent folding and unfolding of the octapeptide is presented. The current study, as well as its experimental counterpart find that this peptide undergoes an "inverse temperature transition", ITT, leading to a folding at about 310-330 K. In addition, an unfolding transition is identified at unusually high temperatures approaching the boiling point of water. Due to the small size of the system two broad temperature regimes are found: the "ITT regime" (at about 280-320 K) and the "unfolding regime" at about T > 330 K, where the peptide has a maximum probability of being folded at approximately 330 K. A detailed molecular picture involving a thermodynamic order parameter, or reaction coordinate, for this process is presented along with a time-correlation function analysis of the hydrogen bond dynamics within the peptide as well as between the peptide and solvating water molecules. Correlation with experimental evidence and ramifications on the properties of elastin are discussed.Comment: 15 pages, 1 table, 8 figure

Pain and analgesic use associated with skeletal-related events in patients with advanced cancer and bone metastases

PURPOSE: Bone metastases secondary to solid tumors increase the risk of skeletal-related events (SREs), including the occurrence of pathological fracture (PF), radiation to bone (RB), surgery to bone (SB), and spinal cord compression (SCC). The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of SREs on patients' pain, analgesic use, and pain interference with daily functioning. METHODS: Data were combined from patients with solid tumors and bone metastases who received denosumab or zoledronic acid across three identically designed phase 3 trials (N = 5543). Pain severity (worst pain) and pain interference were assessed using the Brief Pain Inventory at baseline and each monthly visit. Analgesic use was quantified using the Analgesic Quantification Algorithm. RESULTS: The proportion of patients with moderate/severe pain and strong opioid use generally increased in the 6 months preceding an SRE and remained elevated, while they remained relatively consistent over time in patients without an SRE. Regression analysis indicated that all SRE types were significantly associated with an increased risk of progression to moderate/severe pain and strong opioid use. PF, RB, and SCC were associated with significantly greater risk of pain interference overall. Results were similar for pain interference with emotional well-being. All SRE types were associated with significantly greater risk of pain interference with physical function. CONCLUSIONS: SREs are associated with increased pain and analgesic use in patients with bone metastases. Treatments that prevent SREs may decrease pain and the need for opioid analgesics and reduce the impact of pain on daily functioning

Pain and analgesic use associated with skeletal-related events in patients with advanced cancer and bone metastases

PURPOSE: Bone metastases secondary to solid tumors increase the risk of skeletal-related events (SREs), including the occurrence of pathological fracture (PF), radiation to bone (RB), surgery to bone (SB), and spinal cord compression (SCC). The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of SREs on patients' pain, analgesic use, and pain interference with daily functioning. METHODS: Data were combined from patients with solid tumors and bone metastases who received denosumab or zoledronic acid across three identically designed phase 3 trials (N = 5543). Pain severity (worst pain) and pain interference were assessed using the Brief Pain Inventory at baseline and each monthly visit. Analgesic use was quantified using the Analgesic Quantification Algorithm. RESULTS: The proportion of patients with moderate/severe pain and strong opioid use generally increased in the 6 months preceding an SRE and remained elevated, while they remained relatively consistent over time in patients without an SRE. Regression analysis indicated that all SRE types were significantly associated with an increased risk of progression to moderate/severe pain and strong opioid use. PF, RB, and SCC were associated with significantly greater risk of pain interference overall. Results were similar for pain interference with emotional well-being. All SRE types were associated with significantly greater risk of pain interference with physical function. CONCLUSIONS: SREs are associated with increased pain and analgesic use in patients with bone metastases. Treatments that prevent SREs may decrease pain and the need for opioid analgesics and reduce the impact of pain on daily functioning