Genetic evaluation for longevity of Dutch dairy bulls

Parameters needed for survival analysis of longevity records of cows to predict breeding values of their sires were estimated with data on Dutch Black and White and Red and White cows. The heritabilities of functional productive life were 0.041 and 0.036 on the log scale for Black and White and Red and White cows, respectively. Although the heritabilities and other parameters differed between both breeds, the resulting breeding values were hardly affected: the correlation between breeding values of Red and White bulls using either Red and White parameters or Black and White parameters was 0.992. Genetic correlations between the direct breeding value for functional longevity (based solely on longevity of sires' daughters) and breeding values for conformation, health, and fertility traits were calculated. Several alternative selection indices were investigated using these correlations. Based on the resulting reliabilities, it was concluded that the Dutch breeding value for functional longevity should be based on longevity, rump angle, teat placement, udder depth, feet and legs, and somatic cell count. The index was expressed on a scale with average of 100 and a standard deviation of 4 points (at 80% reliability). The economic value was Dfl. 65 per genetic standard deviation, which was 0.46 times the economic value of INET (Net Milk Revenue Index). For the breeding value for functional longevity that was first published in August 1999, slight modifications in the model were made.     

Conformations of satellite DNAs

X-ray fiber diffraction studies of satellite DNAs from Gecarcinus lateralis, Drosophila virilis and Mus musculus, all of which have highly repetitious base sequences but with different degrees of sequence complexity, reveal only classical polynucleotide duplex structures in contrast to some highly repetitious synthetic DNAs.     

Structure of the gene encoding the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme Ubcm4, characterization of its promoter, and chromosomal location

An improved method for the simultaneous determination of underivatized biogenic amines, cadaverine, putrescine, spermidine, histamine, tyramine and some amino acids precursors, histidine and tyrosine, in food products, based on ion-exchange chromatography (IC) with integrated pulsed amperometric detection (IPAD) has been developed. The method was successfully used for the analysis of biogenic amines and amino acids in food both of vegetable (kiwi, Actinidia chinensis) and animal origin, (fish, pilchard), as well as in fermented foods, such as cheese (Emmenthal) and dry sausages (salami). The method was also successfully used to study the changes in biogenic amines during the ripening of dry fermented sausages (salami). The analytes were extracted from foods with perchloric acid and the extracts were purified by liquid-liquid partition using n-hexane. Determination of biogenic amines was performed through cation-exchange chromatography with isocratic elution and IPAD. The detection limits for the analytes under investigation were found to range from 1.25 to 2.50 ng, at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3:1. Average recoveries ranged from 85.5 to 97.4% and R.S.D. values ranged from 3.4 to 8.8. The proposed method offers a number of advantages over our previous IPAD method, such as the application to a larger number of analytes and matrices, a simpler extraction procedure and clean-up, isocratic elution using low acid and base concentrations, an improved chromatographic separation and a lower detection limit.     

Wave-front analysis with high accuracy by use of a double-grating lateral shearing interferometer

A phase-stepped double-grating lateral shearing interferometer to be used for wave-front analysis is presented. The resulting interference patterns are analyzed with a differential Zernike polynomial matrix-inversion method. Possible error sources are analyzed in the design stage, and it is shown that the inaccuracy can be kept within 2-5 mλ rms. The apparatus was tested and evaluated in practice. Comparison with a phase-stepped Twyman-Green interferometer demonstrates that the accuracy of the two methods is comparable. Lateral shearing interferometry scores better on reproducibility, owing to the stability and robustness of the method.     

LED backlighting for LCD HDTV

Light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) are used today for backlighting of small displays such as PDAs and mobile phones. We show in this paper that a new LED technology can be used for high‐demanding display‐backlighting applications such as LCD HDTV. Using this new type of emitter, called a Luxeon? Power Light Source, a brightness higher than an edge‐lit CCFL backlight can be achieved, while compared to a direct‐lit CCFL backlight the thickness is lower and the uniformity is better. With on‐going improvements in LED performance over the coming years, LED backlights will reach and even outperform the brightness performance of direct‐lit backlights while maintaining the benefits of edge‐lit solutions at even higher brightness levels.     

Efficient coupling into and out of high-Q resonators

The temporal-coupled-mode theory is directly applied to the design of devices that feature a resonator with a high quality factor. For the temporal-coupled-mode theory we calculate the decay rate of the resonator to determine the transmission properties of the device. The analysis using the decay rates requires little computational effort, and therefore the optimum device properties can be determined quickly. Two examples, a wavelength filter and a resonator crossing, are presented to illustrate the use of the analysis.     

Design, operation and validation of a new fluid-sealed direct shear apparatus capable of monitoring fault-related fluid flow to large displacements

A new type of direct shear apparatus has been developed to allow for deformation of large and intact rock samples under fluid-sealed conditions. The sealed cell was specifically designed to monitor changes to fluid flow across the evolving rupture surface to large displacements (≤120 mm), and effective stress conditions up to 36 MPa. To maintain a seal for the pore fluid during deformation, a viscous and immiscible sealant fluid was injected at the interface between the rock specimen and the inner sample cell. Finite element modelling was conducted in parallel to verify the stress distribution in the specimen, notably the effect of geometrical constraints on the fault zone development and mechanical data. Results obtained from natural Castlegate sandstone, synthetically cemented sandstone and sandstone–clay composite blocks demonstrate the suitability of this equipment to investigating coupled fluid mechanical behaviour of a wide range of rock specimens. In particular, the test configuration is demonstrated to be capable of exploring fault-related fluid flow behaviour in reservoir–seal pair analogues with application for the hydrocarbon industry and the emerging field of carbon dioxide storage assessment.     

Value sensitive design of a virtual assistant for workload harmonization in teams

Cognition, Technology & Work - Uneven workload distributions in teams can lead to suboptimal team performance. This paper therefore describes the design of a virtual assistant that supports...