Thermocapillary actuation of droplets on chemically patterned surfaces by programmable microheater arrays

We have designed a microfluidic device for the actuation of liquid droplets or continuous streams on a solid surface by means of integrated microheater arrays. The microheaters provide control of the surface temperature distribution with high spatial resolution. These temperature gradients locally alter the surface tension along droplets and thin films thus propelling the liquid toward the colder regions. In combination with liquophilic and liquophobic chemical surface patterning, this device can be used as a logistic platform for the parallel and automated routing, mixing and reacting of a multitude of liquid samples, including alkanes, poly(ethylene glycol) and water

The metal absorption systems of the Hubble Deep Field South QSO

The Hubble Deep Field South (HDFS) has been recently selected and the observations are planned for October 1998. We present a high resolution (FWHM $\simeq 14$ \kms) spectrum of the quasar J2233--606 ($z_{em}\simeq2.22$) which is located 5.1 arcmin East of the HDFS. The spectrum obtained with the New Technology Telescope redward of the Lyman--$\alpha$ emission line covers the spectral range 4386--8270 \AA. This range corresponds to redshift intervals for CIV and MgII intervening systems of $z=1.83-2.25$ and $z=0.57-1.95$ respectively. The data reveal the presence of two complex intervening CIV systems at redshift $z=1.869$ and $z=1.943$ and two complex associated ($z_{abs} \approx z_{em}$) systems. Other two CIV systems at $z=1.7865$ and $z=2.077$, suggested by the presence of strong Lyman--$\alpha$ lines in low resolution ground based and Hubble Space Telescope (HST) STIS observations (Sealey et al. 1998) have been identified. The system at $z=1.943$ is also responsible for the Lyman limit absorption seen in the HST/STIS spectrum. The main goal of the present work is to provide astronomers interested in the Hubble Deep Field South program with information related to absorbing structures at high redshift, which are distributed along the nearby QSO line of sight. For this purpose, the reduced spectrum, obtained from three hours of integration time, has been released to the astronomical community.Comment: revisited version accepted for publication by Astronomical Journal; minor changes; typographical errors corrected; results and discussion unchange

Energy Consumption of Lactating Mothers: Current Situation and Problems

Recommendations on the adequacy of nutrient intake indicate that lactating mothers have higher nutritional needs than do pregnant mothers. High nutrient intake is necessary to help mothers recover after childbirth, produce milk, and maintain the quantity and quality of breast milk. It also prevents maternal malnutrition. Research has shown, however, that the dietary energy consumption of mothers during lactation was significantly lower than that during pregnancy. The current study explored the factors associated with decreased nutritional intake during maternal lactation. The study was conducted in March–April 2013, and the subjects were mothers with infants aged >6 months. Results revealed that the factors causing low dietary energy consumption among breastfeeding mothers were poor nutritional knowledge and attitude toward high energy intake requirements during lactation, lack of time to cook and eat because of infant care, reduced consumption of milk and supplements, dietary restrictions and prohibitions, and suboptimal advice from midwives/health personnel. Beginning from the antenatal care visit, health personnel should conduct effective counseling on the importance of nutrient intake during lactation. Advice should be provided not only to mothers, but also to their families to enable them to thoroughly support the mothers as they breastfeed their infants

Geographic Availability of Assistance Dogs: Dogs Placed in 2013-2014 by ADI- or IGDF-Accredited or Candidate Facilities in the United States and Canada, and Non-accredited U.S. Facilities.

Assistance dogs' roles have diversified to support people with various disabilities, especially in the U.S. Data presented here are from the U.S. and Canada non-profit facilities (including both accredited and candidate members that fulfilled partial requirements: all here termed "accredited") of Assistance Dogs International (ADI) and the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF), and from non-accredited U.S. assistance dog training facilities, on the numbers and types of dogs they placed in 2013 and 2014 with persons who have disabilities. ADI categories of assistance dogs are for guide, hearing, and service (including for assistance with mobility, autism, psychiatric, diabetes, seizure disabilities). Accredited facilities in 28 states and 3 provinces responded; accredited non-responding facilities were in 22 states and 1 province (some in states/provinces with responding accredited facilities). Non-accredited facilities in 16 states responded. U.S./Canada responding accredited facilities (55 of 96: 57%) placed 2,374 dogs; non-accredited U.S. facilities (22 of 133: 16.5%) placed 797 dogs. Accredited facilities placed similar numbers of dogs for guiding (n = 918) or mobility (n = 943), but many more facilities placed mobility service dogs than guide dogs. Autism service dogs were third most for accredited (n = 205 placements) and U.S. non-accredited (n = 72) facilities. Psychiatric service dogs were fourth most common in accredited placements (n = 119) and accounted for most placements (n = 526) in non-accredited facilities. Other accredited placements were for: hearing (n = 109); diabetic alert (n = 69), and seizure response (n = 11). Responding non-accredited facilities placed 17 hearing dogs, 30 diabetic alert dogs, and 18 seizure response dogs. Non-accredited facilities placed many dogs for psychiatric assistance, often for veterans, but ADI accreditation is required for veterans to have financial reimbursement. Twenty states and several provinces had no responding facilities; 17 of these states had no accredited facilities. In regions lacking facilities, some people with disabilities may find it inconvenient living far from any supportive facility, even if travel costs are provided. Despite accelerated U.S./Canada placements, access to well-trained assistance dogs continues to be limited and inconvenient for many people with disabilities, and the numerous sources of expensive, poorly trained dogs add confusion for potential handlers

Microfluidic actuation by modulation of surface stresses

We demonstrate the active manipulation of nanoliter liquid samples on the surface of a glass or silicon substrate by combining chemical surface patterning with electronically addressable microheater arrays. Hydrophilic lanes designate the possible routes for liquid migration while activation of specific heater elements determine the trajectories. The induced temperature fields spatially modulate the liquid surface tension thereby providing electronic control over the direction, timing, and flow rate of continuous streams or discrete drops. Temperature maps can be programed to move, split, trap, and mix ultrasmall volumes without mechanically moving parts and with low operating voltages of 2–3 V. This method of fluidic actuation allows direct accessibility to liquid samples for handling and diagnostic purposes and provides an attractive platform for palm-sized and battery-powered analysis and synthesis

Evaluasi Kendala Dan Masalah Implementasi UU 22/2009 Tentang Llaj Terhadap Capaian Penyelenggaraan Jalan Nasional

The Law No. 22/2009 on Road Traffic and Transportation dictates the national road authorities to perform proactively, reactively, and with fullest anticipation with regards to the safety aspects in administering road provision. In relation to this demand, data collection was conducted in Provinces of Riau, East Java, South Kalimantan, South Sulawesi, and East Nusa Tenggara through a series of focussed discusions involving road authorities, road traffic and transportation regulators, as well as law enforcement officers. Proactive measures that still fell short to meet the demand were related to Article 8 (stipulation of road's level of service, optimized utilization of road segments, geometric betterment of roads and intersections, stipulation of road classes, and attainment of road worthiness). Reactive measures that still lag in enforcement were related to Article 24 (improvement of road sections with safety deficiencies, and installation of road signs at damaged road sections or roads with substandard geometric to prevent accidents). Anticipative measures in need of attention were related to Article 230 (road unworthiness as a contributing factor to cause accidents), and Article 273 (poor road conditions that might cause accidents, and in consequence of which, road authorities could face 5 year imprisonment in cases invloving fatalities)