Growing-Degree Units For Selected Agricultural Locations In Alaska

Paper copies in Archives, Acc #:2013-0059It is well known that the rate at which a plant grows is influenced by air temperature. The problem is to define this relationship in a quantitative manner so that the information can be applied to agricultural problems. In places where growth of a particular crop is limited by the length of the growing season, an evaluation of the "heat-units" available is particularly important. Many heat-unit systems have evolved over the years, with certain advantages claimed for each. In crop production, heat unit systems are used to estimate the time required for a crop to go from one stage of development to another, usually from planting to harvest. Each heat-unit system produces a particular set of values, the values being determined by the relationship between temperature and growth that is assumed in the calculations. This paper lists heat-units available in six areas in Alaska, all having agricultural potential. The system used measures temperature in "growing-degree units" and is described in detail. Recent comparative studies of growing season and growing degree days leads to the conclusion that the temperature records taken at Big Delta may have been favorably affected by the nearness of the weather recording station to an extensive coated runway. The "flywheel" effect of this large heat sink appear to have reduced the occurrence of 32°F. night temperatures in both the spring and fall, making the growing degree accumulation unrealistic.Introduction and general comments -- Description of Stations -- Results and discussion -- Summary -- References -- Appendix -- Figures: Fig. 1 Average weekly growing degree units for Matanuska Experiment Station; Big Delta; University Experiment Station, Fairbanks; Homer; Kasilof; and Kodiak. Fig. 2 Seasonal growing degree unites (May 15 to 1st 30°F or lower temperature in fall) which will be equaled or exceeded for varying probability levels at Big Delta, Matanuska Experiment Station and University Experiment Station, Fairbanks. Fig. 3 Seasonal growing degree units (May 15 to 1st 30°F or lower temperature in fall) which will be equaled or exceeded for varying probability levels ta Homer, Kasilof, and Kodiak. Tables: Table 1 Comparison of growing-degree units (GDU) for Clearwater and Big Delta for the period 1965-70. Table 2 Highest, lowest and average weekly GDU values for Big Delta, and values which will be equaled or exceeded for given probabilities. Table 3 Highest, lowest and average weekly GDU values for Homer and values which will be equaled or exceeded for given probabilities. Table 4 Highest, lowest and average weekly GDU values for Kasilof and values which will be equaled or exceeded for given probabilities. Table 5 Highest, lowest and average weekly GDU values for Kodiak and values which will be equaled or exceeded for given probabilities. Highest, lowest and average weekly GDU values for the Matanuska Experiment Station, and values which will be equaled or exceeded for given probabilities. Table 7 Highest, lowest and average weekly GDU values for the University Experiment Station, Fairbanks and values which will be equaled or exceeded for given probabilities at 6 Alaska locations. Table 8 Highest, lowest and average monthly GDU values and values which will be equaled or exceeded for given probabilities at 6 Alaska locations. Table 9 Highest, lowest and average seasonal GDU values and values which will be equaled or exceeded for given probabilities for the period May 15 to date of first 30°F or lower temperature in the fall at 6 Alaska locations

Getting a start in dairying in Alaska

Dairying in Alaska probably will always be confined to areas where milk can reach city markets readily. The demand £or fresh milk, even at present prices, exceeds the supply. Probably the dairy farmer always will be able to produce milk in competition with fluid mlik shipped in from the States if he is a good manager and has high producing cows. A farmer with low producing cows can show a profit at present prices, but if the price of milk dropped two dollars or more per hundred, he would have a tough time making both ends meet. It is doubtful if other dairy products can be produced in Alaska to compete with stateside prices

Impact of Biofield Energy Treatment on Soil Fertility

Measurement of soil components such as microbial population, minerals and obviously the content of organic carbon play the important roles for the productivity of crops and plants. The present study was attempted to evaluate the impact of Mr. Trivedi’s biofield energy treatment on soil for its physical (electrical conductivity), chemical (minerals) and microbial flora (bacteria and fungi). A plot of lands was assigned for this study with some already grown plants. This plot was divided into two parts. One part was considered as control, while another part was subjected to Mr. Trivedi’s biofield energy treatment without physically touching and referred as treated. In the treated soil the total bacterial and fungal counts were increased by 546 and 617%, respectively as compared to the untreated soil. Additionally, the conductivity of soil of the treated plot was increased by 79% as compared to the soil of control plot. Apart from microbes, the content of various minerals were also changed in the biofield energy treated soil. The calcium carbonate content showed 2909 ppm in the control, while in the treated soil it was increased to 3943 ppm i.e. 36% increased. Various other minerals such as nitrogen and potassium were increased by 12% and 7%, respectively as compared to the control. Besides, the level of some minerals such as potassium, iron, and chloride were decreased by 9%, 23%, and 41%, respectively as compared to the control. Apart from chemical constituents of soil, the content of organic carbon was also reduced by 8% in the treated soil as compared to the control soil. The overall results envisaged that the biofield energy treatment on the soil showed a significant improvement in the physical, chemical, and microbial functions of soil component. Thus, improved the conductance, supportive microbes, minerals and overall productivity of crops. In conclusion, the biofield energy treatment could be used as an alternative way to increase the yield of quality crops by increasing soil fertility

Intrinsic DNA features are determinants of activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) recruitment and activity

While most cells strive to guard their genomic DNA from damage, B lymphocytes of the immune system actively damage their genomic DNA in order to mount a more robust antibody response. They do so by expressing the DNA-mutating enzyme activationinduced cytidine deaminase (AID). Although AID action is critical to antibody diversification, AID-mediated damage outside of antibody loci is a leading cause of leukemia/lymphomas. It is known that AID acts on single-stranded DNA and mutates genes that are highly transcribed; however, the mechanisms for AID targeting to specific genes or loci have yet to be elucidated. It has been hypothesized that one of the many factors involved in the targeting of AID is the topology of the DNA itself, as it is thought that AID can only deaminate supercoiled but not relaxed double-stranded DNA (dsDNA). We hypothesized that features of the DNA inherent to a gene (i.e. sequence, structure and topology) are important determinants of AID recruitment. Contrary to the current model that transcription significantly increases AID activity, we found that transcription is not necessary for AID activity, as AID efficiently deaminated both supercoiled and relaxed linear DNA in the absence of transcription. Moreover, DNA secondary structure may be of greater importance than primary sequence in attracting AID to its target, and that these structures may be liberated through dsDNA breathing and/or in conjunction with transcription

The Branton Engine , Aircraft, Jet, Space

The Branton engine is primarily an engine designed for aircraft/ space shuttles. Although it can be applied to other forms of transport given the correct design. This engine resembles partly a jet turbine in the sense it has an air intake that compresses normal air to be mixed with fuel, combusted then released through a rear cone. In a standard turbine the thrust turns a rear fan, the rear fan is directly connected to the front fan. This method requires using a percentage of the thrust force to maintain the rotation of the front fan. The Branton engine uses the heat generated by the thrust on the rear cone to give rotation to the front fan using a closed condensing system, plus an added force to gain rotation to the front fan is gained by a fuel heating system, again using the heat generated in the rear cone by the thrust. The front fan has a specially designed curved shape to give maximum air intake and compression, the design of the fan means its diameter can be 50% less than a flat blade fan. An added advantage of the curved front fan is its ability to give a smooth transition whilst passing through the supersonic shock wave etc. The following diagrams provide a basic outline of the workings and principles of this engine type. Any questions etc please contact myself via email [email protected]

The Branton Engine, reclaim energy system.

The reclaim energy system is targeting the forward edges of the aircraft/ vehicle. At supersonic plus speed The high amount of air friction on the outside of the aircraft generates heat. This heat in places is of such an amount that it can be used to provide power to the engine. This is done in much the same way as the system within the engine. An amount of water is circulated from the forward edges of the aircraft to be heated to quickly generate steam, this steam is the used to provide a force to turn the front fan of the engine forcing more air through the engine. In turn this will help reduce the heat of the front edges of the aircraft/ vehicle allowing the use of more cost effective materials in supersonic aircraft such as aluminium instead of titanium. The water is made up of two parts hydrogen and one part oxygen therefore it itself is also a lightweight material. The water being channelled will also add a structural strength and flexibility capability to the aircraft

The effects of teaching style on student learning of DNA

New methods and practices are constantly being introduced in education due to new research that emerges as a push for student achievement increases. We as teachers must adapt to these new ideas to ensure student success. This study was completed to determine if inquiry-based teaching methods would be more beneficial in learning Biology concepts than traditional lecture instruction. The students were divided into two groups, which differed based solely on their instructional format. The activities involved in this study included inquiry-based activities and traditional activities, i.e. PowerPoints, guided notes, experiments and worksheets. The participants in this study, students in a ninth grade Biology class, were given a pretest to assess prior knowledge of the unit on DNA that would be covered in the classroom lessons. The same assessment was also administered at the completion of the unit to measure leisure gain. The instructional format of the material given showed an effect on learner outcomes. In general, there was a significant difference in the mean posttest scores. However, further analysis showed this difference was between honors students and academic students. When comparing unit test scores, inquiry students’ scores were significantly higher than the traditional lecture students. If inquiry activities are executed properly, implementing them into the Biology curriculum can increase learning gains of Biology topics

Hydrogen engine, multi fuel engine, Continuous rotation engine.

This engine design was developed specifically to be very easy to manufacture, it is highly efficient and reliable. A variety of fuels can be used including gasoline, butane, propane, and hydrogen, a twin fuel line can be used one for liquid fuel the other for a gas fuel to change from liquid to gas use a simple gas or liquid tap on each line. When changing to a different fuel turn the particular fuel tap to open, there is no further adjustment needed. When using hydrogen it is advisable to use the single ball wheel design. This will give the maximum amount of time for the parts to cool before the next combustion. When using the single ball wheel design with lesser fuels such as gasoline or butane the tube wheel and ball wheel can be made from a plastic or carbon fibre with resin this makes for a very light but powerful engine. The power to weight ratio of this design even using normal materials such as aluminium or sheet steel is very good. This engine does not require an air filter, oil filter, oil, water, belts, chains, springs and the main engine only has between two and four moving parts depending on if you are using a single ball wheel or three ball wheels, because of this it is extremely reliable and low maintenance. This design is an engine design of continuous rotation. It is capable of withstanding very high revolutions per minute making it suitable for use in fast boats or aircraft