Experiments with a spectral tropical cyclone model

July, 1983.Includes bibliographical references.Sponsored by the National Science Foundation ATM-8207563.Sponsored by the Office of Naval Research N00014-83-K-0068

Determination of Load Equivalency for Unpaved Roads

The load equivalency method is widely used to consider the effect of traffic loading on pavement design, and the equivalent axle load factor (EALF) for paved roads has been studied often. For unpaved roads, however, EALF is not well understood because it is not necessarily the same as it is for paved roads. In this study, cyclic plate load tests were conducted on unpaved road sections (six base-over-subgrade sections and four subgrade-only sections) constructed in a geotechnical box (2 m × 2.2 m × 2 m) to investigate the load equivalency for unpaved roads. The base-over-subgrade sections were constructed as unstabilized, T1 geogrid–stabilized, and T2 geogrid–stabilized base courses of 15% California bearing ratio (CBR) with thicknesses of 0.23 m and 0.30 m over weak subgrade of 2% CBR. The subgrade-only sections were constructed with CBR values of 6.2%, 7.4%, 9.5%, and 11.0%. The intensities of the cyclic loads were increased from 5 kN to 65 kN, at increments of 5 kN. For each load intensity, 100 cycles were applied on one test section. The EALFs were analyzed in terms of permanent deformation. The results showed that the regression powers of the ratios of axle loads for unpaved roads with aggregate bases over weak subgrade ranged from 1.9 to 2.9, which were lower than a power of 4, the typical value used for paved roads. The powers for subgrade-only sections had an even wider range, from 1.1 to 3.4. The increase of base thickness, the presence of geogrid, and the use of a higher-grade geogrid increased the power

Analysis of Rapidly Developing Low Cloud Ceilings in a Stable Environment

Forecasters at the Space Meteorology Group (SMG) issue 30 to 90 minute forecasts for low cloud ceilings at the Space Shuttle Landing Facility (TTS) to support Space Shuttle landings. Mission verification statistics have shown ceilings to be the number one forecast challenge for SMG. More specifically, forecasters at SMG are concerned with any rapidly developing clouds/ceilings below 8000 ft in a stable, capped thermodynamic environment. Therefore, the Applied Meteorology Unit (AMU) was tasked to examine archived events of rapid stable cloud formation resulting in ceilings below 8000 ft, and document the atmospheric regimes favoring this type of cloud development. The AMU examined the cool season months of November to March during the years of 1993-2003 for days that had low-level inversions and rapid, stable low cloud formation that resulted in ceilings violating the Space Shuttle Flight Rules. The AMU wrote and modified existing code to identify inversions from the morning (-10 UTC) Cape Canaveral, FL rawinsonde (XMR) during the cool season and output pertinent sounding information. They parsed all days with cloud ceilings below 8000 ft at TTS, forming a database of possible rapidly-developing low ceiling events. Days with precipitation or noticeable fog burn-off situations were excluded from the database. In the first phase of this work, only the daytime hours were examined for possible ceiling development events since low clouds are easier to diagnose with visible satellite imagery. Phase II of this work includes expanding the database to include nighttime cases which is underway as this abstract is being written. For the nighttime cases, the AMU will analyze both the 00 UTC soundings and the 10 UTC soundings to examine those data for the presence of a low-level inversion. The 00 UTC soundings will probably not have a surface-based inversion, but the presence of inversions or "neutral" layers aloft and below 8,000 ft will most likely help define the stable regime, being a thermodynamically "capped" environment. Occurrences of elevated low-level inversions or stable layers will be highlighted in conjunction with nights that experienced a possible development or onset of cloud ceilings below 8,000 ft. Using these criteria to narrow down the database, the AMU will then use archived IR satellite imagery for these possible events. This presentation summarizes the composite meteorological conditions for 20 daytime event days with rapid low cloud ceiling formation and 48 non-events days consisting of advection or widespread low cloud ceilings and describes two sample cases of daytime rapidly-developing low cloud ceilings. The authors will also summarize the work from the nighttime cases and describe a representative sample case from this data set

Geotextile Specifications for Highways Applications

DTFH61-88-P-00502This document has been developed after review of 46 of the 52 (50 States, District of Columbia and Puerto Rico) State Agencies who responded to our request for their most recent specifications on geotextiles and related geosynthetic materials. The original requests were sent March 16, 1987, with follow up requests in April of 1988. From the excellent and cooperative response we feel that a representative sample has indeed been realized. After an introduction, the report focuses on required property values, general details, individual State specification comparisons and conclusions. This main body of the report is purposely made quite brief. The report continues with a sample generic geotextile specification. It is quite detailed and includes all features which we feel necessary for proper use of geotextiles in highway applications. The sample specification does not recommend numeric product values in the "property requirements" section. This is purposely left to the individual State agency, or other specifying group, since numeric values are both geographic dependent and site specific. Such values also reflect the philosophy of the specifying agency; ranging from extreme conservatism in required properties to extreme concern over costs

Clinical utility of calf front hoof circumference and maternal intrapelvic area in predicting dystocia in 103 late gestation Holstein-Friesian heifers and cows

The objective of this study was to determine the clinical utility of measuring calf front hoof circumference, maternal intrapelvic area, and selected morphometric values in predicting dystocia in dairy cattle. An observational study using a convenience sample of 103 late-gestation Holstein-Friesian heifers and cows was performed. Intrapelvic height and width of the dam were measured using a pelvimeter, and the intrapelvic area was calculated. Calf front hoof circumference and birth weight were also measured. Data were analyzed using Spearman's correlation coefficient (rs), Mann–Whitney U test, and binary or ordered logistic regression; P 0.068 cm/cm2). Determining the ratio of calf front hoof circumference to maternal intrapelvic area has clinical utility in predicting the calving difficulty score in Holstein-Friesian cattle

Teaching Innovation as Part of an Agribusiness Curriculum

Innovation is critical to the survival of agricultural businesses in the U.S. yet few universities have classes in their curricula that focus on innovation and innovation management. Innovation includes developing new processes and concepts and taking products based on those ideas to market. By its nature, innovation generally involves technical components, market assessment, business analysis, and implementation strategies that include marketing campaigns to a target market. As a result, if innovation is going to be experientially taught to students, the class will likely need to include concepts from multiple disciplines. The objectives of this paper are to present an outline of capstone/senior design classes designed to cause students to learn innovation by participating in interdisciplinary teams working with real companies on the development of new product innovation.Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession,

Cr(VI) Effect on Tc-99 Removal from Hanford Low-Activity Waste Simulant by Ferrous Hydroxide.

Here, Cr(VI) effects on Tc-immobilization by Fe(OH)2(s) are investigated while assessing Fe(OH)2(s) as a potential treatment method for Hanford low-activity waste destined for vitrification. Batch studies using simulated low-activity waste indicate that Tc(VII) and Cr(VI) removal is contingent on reduction to Tc(IV) and Cr(III). Furthermore, complete removal of both Cr and Tc depends on the amount of Fe(OH)2(s) present, where complete Cr and Tc removal requires more Fe(OH)2(s) (∼200 g/L of simulant), than removing Cr alone (∼50 g/L of simulant). XRD analysis suggests that Fe(OH)2(s) reaction and transformation in the simulant produces mostly goethite (α-FeOOH), where Fe(OH)2(s) transformation to goethite rather than magnetite is likely due to the simulant chemistry, which includes high levels of nitrite and other constituents. Once reduced, a fraction of Cr(III) and Tc(IV) substitute for octahedral Fe(III) within the goethite crystal lattice as supported by XPS, XANES, and/or EXAFS results. The remaining Cr(III) forms oxide and/or hydroxide phases, whereas Tc(IV) not fully incorporated into goethite persists as either adsorbed or partially incorporated Tc(IV)-oxide species. As such, to fully incorporate Tc(IV) into the goethite crystal structure, additional Fe(OH)2(s) (>200 g/L of simulant) may be required

Distribution and dynamics of nitrogen and microbial plankton in southern Lake Michigan during spring transition 1999–2000

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/95655/1/jgrc9187.pd