Low-gravity experiments of lightweight flexible heat pipe panels with self-rewetting fluids

Abstract. Fluids with a unique surface tension behavior, the so-called "self-rewetting fluids," are considered to be promising working fluids not only in reduced-gravity environments but also in terrestrial applications. Ultralightweight polyimide-based wickless heat pipe panels with flexible, inflatable, and deployable functions were fabricated using self-rewetting fluids. Fundamental operation tests of these panels were conducted under conditions of reduced gravity during parabolic flight. We obtained promising experimental results on the thermal performance of the panels in reduced gravity, although the experimental conditions were not entirely satisfactory

Performance of Broiler Chicken on Diet Supplemented with Black Pepper (Piper Nigrum) Powder on Haematological and Biochemical Parameters

The present research work was conducted with the aim to find the different levels of black pepper powder supplementation on the performance in terms of growth, feed intake, carcass characteristics, blood parameters, overall performance and cost of rearing of broiler chicken. For this, a total of 120- day old, broiler chicks of hybrid Cobb-400 strain, were equally distributed into four treatments (T1, T2, T3 and T4) with five replications per treatment following Randomized Block Design. The birds were reared for 42 days. The birds in control group (T1) were provided with standard diets of broiler starter and broiler finisher. However, the diets of other groups were supplemented with black pepper powder @7.5, 10.0 and 12.5 g/kg feed for T2, T3 and T4 groups, respectively. Feed intake was recorded daily and weekly body weight was recorded replication wise. Gain in weight and feed conversion efficiency was calculated accordingly. The inputs of all items were precisely recorded for calculation of economics of rearing. On the 42nd day, from each treatment three birds were selected for collection of blood analysis viz. Hb, WBC, RBC, HDL, LDL and Cholesterol. No mortality was observed for all the treatments. The results showed no significant difference in body weight, body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion efficiency, overall performance index and net profit per bird. In terms of blood constituents viz, RBC, WBC, Cholesterol were better in T1 group

Occurrence of grapevine virus A (GVA) and other closteroviruses in Tunisian grapevines affected by leafroll disease

Vorkommen von Grapevine-Virus A (GVA) und anderen Closteroviren in blattrollkranken tunesischen RebenReben, die aus den Hauptweinbaugebieten Tunesiens stammten, wurden auf die Anwesenheit von Closteroviren hin überprüft. Während in keiner der symptomfreien Reben Viruspartikel entdeckt wurden, enthielten alle Reben mit Blattrollsymptomen - außer zweien - Closteroviruspartikel, die durch IEM (immune electron microscopy) in konzentrierten Blattextrakten oder unmittelbar in Rohsaft durch ISEM (immunosorbent electron microscopy) identifiziert wurden. Alle vier derzeit bekannten Closteroviren (GClV-1, GClV-2, GClV-3 und GVA) waren, meistens im Gemisch, in Reben mit Blattrollsymptomen vorhanden. GClV-3 und GVA wurden in 77 bzw. 50 % der geprüften Reben entdeckt. Ein tunesisches Isolat von GVA, das durch Planococcus citri auf krautige Testpflanzen übertragen wurde, unterschied sich in biologischer Hinsicht, aber nicht in den charakteristischen physikalisch-chemischen und serologischen Eigenschaften von zwei italienischen Isolaten desselben Virus

Robust Free-Space Optical Communication Utilizing Polarization

Free-space optical (FSO) communication can be subject to various types of distortion and loss as the signal propagates through non-uniform media. In experiment and simulation, we demonstrate that the state of polarization and degree of polarization of light passed though underwater bubbles, causing turbulence, is preserved. Our experimental setup serves as an efficient, low cost alternative approach to long distance atmospheric or underwater testing. We compare our experimental results with those of simulations, in which we model underwater bubbles, and separately, atmospheric turbulence. Our findings suggest potential improvements in polarization based FSO communication schemes.Comment: 13 pages, 5 figure

Self-medication for infants with colic in Lagos, Nigeria

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Infantile colic is a self-limiting condition that is distributed worldwide. It is often misdiagnosed as an organic disease for which an infant is admitted to the hospital. Many studies have described the aetiopathogenesis, pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic management of colic but none has evaluated self-medication for infants with colic. The aim of this study was therefore to determine the knowledge of Nigerian mothers about colic, their home-based management, extent of self-medication for the infants with colic and the types of medicines involved.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>It is a prospective study conducted at the vaccination clinics of 20 primary health care centres, each from different Local Government Areas in Lagos, Nigeria. Eight hundred mothers that brought their infants for vaccination between April and September, 2006 were interviewed with open-and close-ended questionnaire.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Six hundred and eighty three (85.4%) mothers claimed they had a good knowledge of colic. Incessant and excessive cry was the main clinical feature of colic identified by 430(62.9%) mothers. Three hundred and seventy eight (67.7%) infants were treated by self-medication, 157 (28.1%) sought medical intervention and 17 (3.1%) were treated at a traditional birth attendant home. Herbal medicines constituted 51.8% of the self-medicated medicines, of which 48 (26.2%) were "Ororo Ogiri". Nospamin^®(49.5%) and Gripe water^®(43.0%) were the two frequently prescribed and self-medicated medicines for infants with colic.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Nigerian mothers are deficient in their knowledge of colic. Self-medication was the most frequently used home-based intervention. Health education would appear necessary to improve parental management of this self-limiting condition.</p