Relation of registration with yield and termination of first lactation in dairy goats

First lactation records of 9941 Alpine, 2383 LaMancha, 11,203 Nubian, 3714 Saanen, and 4649 Toggenburg dairy goat does were obtained from the USDA to evaluate relation of registration (purebred, American, or grade) with lactation yield traits (mature equivalent milk and fat yields) and with reason for termination of lactation (normal, sold for dairy, or culled). Does were grouped by age at first kidding (11 through 16 mo or 21 through 26 mo) and by calendar year (1976 through 1978, 1979 through 1981, or 1982 through 1984). Data were analyzed within breed and year group for yield traits and within breed for reason of termination. Registration and age at first kidding accounted for little variation in mature equivalent milk and fat yields or in reason for termination.     

Excitation and Detection of Nonlinear Waves on a Charged Surface of Liquid Hydrogen

A new technique for exciting nonlinear waves on a charged surface of liquid hydrogen is described. Methods of optical detection of surface oscillations in experiments on capillary turbulence at frequencies of up to 10 kHz are discussed. The results of a study of capillary waves on the surface of liquid hydrogen are presented.     

Predicting the performance of concrete structures exposed to chemically aggressive environment—Field validation

The behavior of two series of concrete slabs exposed to sulfate-bearing soils was investigated by a numerical model called STADIUM. In addition to the diffusion of ions and moisture, the model also accounts for the effects of dissolution/precipitation reactions on the transport mechanisms. The simulations yielded by the model were compared to the actual degradation of the slabs after 8 years of exposure. The microstructural alterations of concrete resulting from the penetration of magnesium, chloride and sulfate ions were studied by backscatter mode scanning electron microscope observations and energy-dispersive X-ray analyses. The comparison of both series of data indicates that the model can reliably predict the various features of the microstructural alterations of concrete.

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Résumé Le comportement de deux séries de dalles sur sol en béton exposées à des sols chimiquement agressifs a été étudié à l'aide d'un code de calcul numérique appelé STADIUM. Ce modèle permet de décrire le transport couplé de l'eau et des ions dans des matériaux poreux non-saturés en prenant en considération l'influence des réactions chimiques. Les résultats des simultations de la dégradation du béton après huit ans d'exposition à des ions chlore, sulfate et magnésium. Les observations ont été réalisées par microscopie électronique à balayage. Des analyses par dispersion des rayons X ont également été effectuées. Les données démontrent clairement que le modèle perment de prédire avec précision le comportement du béton soumis à différents types d'agression chimique.

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Editorial Note Laval University (Canada) is a RILEM Titular Member. Prof. J. Marchand was awarded the 2000 Robert L'Hermite Medal. He is Editor in Chief for Concrete Science and Engineering and Associate Editor for Materials and Structures. He participates in RILEM TC 186-ISA ‘Internal Sulfate attack’.     

Multifactor Experiments under Superdeep-Penetration Conditions

Consideration is given to the possibility of controlling the efficiency of the process of superdeep penetration of a high-velocity microstriker flux into metal obstacles due to the employment of ballast elements in the jet and to additional supply of energy in compression by an explosive charge along the external perimeter.     

Failure analysis of aluminum cable steel reinforced (ACSR) conductor of the transmission line crossing the Paraná River

The failure of the conductor of the 460 kV overhead transmission line located along the crossing of the Paraná River was investigated. As a result of this failure, a blackout took place in the southern states of Brazil in January of 2002, reaching approximately 67 million inhabitants. Investigation of the external aluminium layer of the ACSR conductor near the fracture showed typical static deformation marks and dynamic fretting wear tangential marks, both associated with the presence of Al₂O₃ debris. Additionally, encrusted silicon particles were observed on the external surface of the strands. The internal Al layer showed elliptical deformation marks also associated with Al₂O₃ debris. Both Al₂O₃ and Si particles are efficient abrasive material, which associated with slight relative motion of metallic surfaces (clamp/strand and strand/strand) can promote fretting wear. Two types of fracture surface of the Al strands were identified: 45° and quasi-normal surfaces, the former being the predominant type. Delamination and particle detachment were the mechanisms of superficial degradation observed on the Al strands, indicating that the rupture of the strands occurred under a gross slip fretting regime induced by sub-conductor oscillation. Inspection of the internal surface of as-cast Al–10%Si spacer clamps revealed different stages of intense circumferential wear caused by the preferential cracking and particle detachment of the eutectic constituent of the as-cast microstructure. This intense wear reduces the clamping contact pressure, which allows higher displacement amplitude and leads to the critical fretting regime. Finally, a few suggestions are discussed to minimise the occurrence of future failures.     

The emerging landscape of bioinformatics software systems

Fusing computing and biology expertise, bioinformatics software provides a powerful tool for organizing and mining the vast amounts of data genetics researchers are accumulating. As life scientists and computational scientists interact to create useful bioinformatics software systems, several themes or lessons recur. We identify seven themes: the nature of biological data; data storage, analysis and retrieval; computational modeling and simulation; biologically meaningful information integration; data mining; image processing and visualization; and closing the loop     

Coarse filters for shape matching

This article describes the coarse shape filters that support the 3D, Internet-based search engine ShapeSifter, which aims to locate parts already in production that have a shape similar to a desired new part. The search engine analyzes the target model's shape characteristics and performs a similarity match on the database's contents. Our main challenge is identifying shape metrics that produce effective characterizations of 3D models for similarity comparison. We focus on using three novel convex hull-based indices to carry out a preliminary coarse filtering of candidates prior to more detailed analysis. We also describe the crucial role played by two databases of benchmark objects. Unlike other shape-matching systems, we chose ShapeSifter's architecture (multistep query), 3D representation (triangulated mesh), and implementation (Java3D) to allow deployment online once it matures