Factors Affecting Temperature Drop between Tapping and Teeming

Quantitative relationships among the factors which affect temperature variations between furnace tapping and teeming are analyzed, and a procedure is developed for determining the probable temperature change.     

Live‐Cell Studies of p300/CBP Histone Acetyltransferase Activity and Inhibition

Histone acetyltransferase enzymes (HATs) are important therapeutic targets, but there are few cell‐based assays available for evaluating the pharmacodynamics of HAT inhibitors. Here we present the application of a FRET‐based reporter, Histac, in live‐cell studies of p300/CBP HAT inhibition, by both genetic and pharmacologic disruption. shRNA knockdown of p300/CBP led to increased Histac FRET, thus suggesting a role for p300/CBP in the acetylation of the histone H4 tail. Additionally, we describe a new p300/CBP HAT inhibitor, C107, and show that it can also increase cellular Histac FRET. Taken together, these studies provide a live‐cell strategy for identifying and evaluating p300/CBP inhibitors.     

High-efficiency multiple-output DC-DC conversion for low-voltagesystems

This versatile power converter controller provides dual outputs at a fixed switching frequency and can regulate either output voltage or target system delay (using an external L-C filter). In the voltage regulation mode, the output voltage is monitored with an analog-digital (A/D) converter, and the feedback compensation network is implemented digitally. The generation of the pulsewidth modulation (PWM) signal is done with a hybrid delay line/counter approach, which saves power and area relative to previous implementations. Power devices are included on chip to create the two independently regulated output PWM signals. The key features of this design are its low-power dissipation, reconfigurability, use of either delay or voltage feedback, and multiple outputs     

The behavior of saturated solutions of trisodium phosphate dodecahydrate as heat storage media

Trisodium phosphate dodecahydrate can be considered for solar heat storage if it is used as a saturated solution rather than as pure material. However, even with a saturated solution it is necessary to take certain precautions to avoid deterioration of the heat storage capacity: either a cold finger must be used to maintain the presence of dodecahydrate crystal nuclei at all times or the temperature must not be allowed to exceed the liquidus temperatures for prolonged periods (e.g. 48 hr) or 85°C for brief periods, these treatments leading to the subsequent appearance of a lower hydrate. Enthalpy was measured as a function of temperature (to 85°C) and concentration (72–87% dodecahydrate), and the thermal cycling behavior of solutions was studied. Since crystalline trisodium phosphate dodecahydrate (as purchased or separating from solutions having Na/P 3) does not conform to the formula Na₃PO₄·12 H₂O, being more correctly considered as an alkaline complex salt approximating NaPO₄·12 H₂O·1/9 to 1/4 NaOH, the role of the Na/P ratio is examined in the context of heat storage in a saturated solution.     

Deviations in behavior and productivity data before diagnosis of health disorders in cows milked with an automated system

To explore potential changes in behavior and productivity useful for early detection of health disorders in cows milked with automated milking systems (AMS), we collected longitudinal data throughout lactation of 57 dairy cows housed in a freestall barn with an AMS. Health problems were recorded, including subclinical ketosis (SCK; n = 19), metritis (n = 11), hoof disorders (n = 14), pneumonia (n = 7), and displaced abomasum (DA; n = 5). Data on rumination, activity, milking frequency and yield, and lying behavior were recorded electronically. Using repeated-measures mixed linear regression models, these data were analyzed for the days before the day of diagnosis/treatment (d 0) for each disorder separately, controlling for days in milk and parity. Analyses were performed between the day on which each outcome variable deviated significantly from baseline (up to d ?14) and the day before diagnosis (nadir at d ?1, before treatment and recovery). Outcomes tested were 3-d rolling averages of milk yield, milking frequency, and AMS supplement intake, in addition to daily rumination time (DRT), body weight, milk temperature, activity (measure of head/neck motion), and 3 lying behavior variables. From d ?8, ?6, and ?5 before diagnosis of DA, SCK, or pneumonia, respectively, DRT declined by 45, 25, and 50 min/d. From d ?14 to ?1 before diagnosis of hoof disorders, DRT declined by 3 min/d. Body weight declined from d ?4 before pneumonia (?14 kg/d) and metritis (?13 kg/d), from d ?6 before SCK (?10 kg/d), and from d ?5 before hoof disorders (?5 kg/d). Milk yield declined by 4.4 and 4.1 kg/d from d ?4 before DA and pneumonia diagnoses, respectively, and by 1.2 kg/d from d ?5 before SCK diagnosis. Activity levels declined before diagnosis of DA, pneumonia, SCK, or metritis. Lying behavior changed before diagnosis of DA, pneumonia, or metritis. Our results provide evidence that rumination behavior often deviated before milk yield and that several variables could contribute to earlier or automated identification of disorders. Behavior and productivity changed differently in association with various health disorders, suggesting the potential to distinguish among health problems. These variables merit further investigation in larger studies of cows milked with AMS.     

Improved Steels Through Hot Strip Mill Controlled Cooling

Imvroved cooling practices result in increased yield strength, improved notch toughness and resistance to brittle fracture in high-strength low-alloy steels.