Acute temperature dependency in the cleansing of tarry feathers utilizing magnetic particles

We have conducted temperature-dependent studies on the removal of a solidified tarry residue from feathers using magnetic particles. These studies demonstrate an acute temperature dependency whereby no contaminant at all is removed below a certain temperature but, at and above this temperature, the removal rapidly approaches 100%. Significantly, this temperature is well below the temperature at which the tarry residue becomes a flowing liquid. This demonstrates that it is possible for magnetic cleansing to remove up to 100% of tarry residue from feathers under temperature conditions that would be benign to a bird.     

The three-dimensional structure of airborne bird flocks

Summary The three-dimensional structure of flocks of dunlin, Calidris alpina, and starlings, Sturnus vulgaris, was studied while birds were in transit between feeding, loafing and roosting sites. A technique was developed that uses standard photogrammetric methods to determine the three-coordinate position of birds in flocks from stereoscopic pairs of simultaneously exposed photographs. A comparison of nearest neighbour distances indicates that dunlin have a tighter, more compact flock structure than do starlings (Fig. 2; Table 2). Analysis of interbird angles in both the vertical and horizontal planes indicates that each dunlin's nearest neighbour is most likely to be behind and below it. This spatial structure results in areas in which few nearest neighbours occur (e.g., immediately in front and below) (Fig. 3). Flight speeds during transit flights are also presented (Table 4). The spatial structure and behaviour of dunlin and starling flocks appear to be very similar to the structure and behaviour of schools of fish.     

Prognosis of fetuses with a cystic hygroma

This paper reports our experience with 55 fetuses identified in utero to have a cystic hygroma. The outcome of fetuses with an isolated cystic hygroma, cystic hygroma with non-immune hydrops, and cystic hygroma with multiple anomalies was evaluated. Approximately two-thirds of karyotypes were aneuploid, and a strong association of septation and aneuploidy existed. Only five cases, four of which had isolated hygromas, came to term and resulted in live births. Two of these involved small non-septated lesions which resolved in utero.     

Benchmarking environmental audit programs: Best practices and biggest challenges

As Total Quality Management (TQM) has become an important concept in learning how to manage environmental, health, and safety audit programs more effectively, an especially useful. TQM tool has been competitive benchmarking. Companies are using benchmarking studies to identify “best practices” that could be incorporated into their programs. In conducting benchmarking studies, evaluators often also identify the biggest common challenges facing audit program managers. This article discusses these best practices and biggest challenges associated with environmental audit programs. The conclusions are based on a number of benchmarking studies and third-party evaluations of corporate audit programs. As the sources are necessarily limited to the author's own experiences, there are no doubt many other specific best practices that are not discussed in this article. These will surface over time.     

A PROGRAM TO CALCULATE CHANNEL SCOUR AND FILL1

ABSTRACT: A computer program written in BASIC calculates net changes in stream channel cross-sections. Calculations are based on dividing the channel cross-section into discrete regions of scour and fill. Internal boundaries of these regions (along the x-axis of the cross-section) are determined by the location of vertical depth measurements taken at two distinct times. The right and left boundaries of the cross-section can be specified so that scour or fill can be calculated for any portion of the profile desired.     

Modification of Soy Protein Plastic with Functional Monomer with Reactive Extrusion

Chemical modification of soy protein with monomers such as maleic anhydride, glycidyl methacrylate and styrene was accomplished using reactive extrusion technology. Thermal and mechanical properties of the modified soy protein plastics were characterized with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), a dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA) and a United Testing System load frame. It was found that the denaturation temperature and the glass transition temperature of soy protein plastic changed. In addition, the tensile properties of modified soy protein plastic improved. Attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to characterize the structure of modified soy proteins. A suggestion of the interaction between soy protein and functional group in functional polymers is given. Through the in-situ interaction between the polymer and soy protein plastic, the mechanical properties of the soy protein plastic can be adjusted and controlled.     

Economic effects of CO2 fertilization of crops: transforming changes in yield into changes in supply

Increasing concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide CO₂ have a beneficial effect on crop production that would tend to offset some of the economic losses that might be generated in some areas by the climatic effects of atmospheric CO₂ and other greenhouse gases. Previous estimates of the economic benefits of CO₂ fertilization on world crop production, however, were based on the assumption that percent changes in supply are equal to percent changes in yield. This assumption is not valid, however, because it confounds changes in supply with changes in quantity supplied. This error leads to an overestimation of the real economic benefits of CO₂ fertilization by 61–166%. The effects of CO₂ fertilization on crop production, therefore, will reduce some of the potential damages caused by the climatic impacts of greenhouse gases, but by significantly less than that indicated in earlier research.     

Toward understanding the human dimensions of the rapidly changing arctic system: insights and approaches from five HARC projects

Human dimensions research focuses on the interrelationships between humans and the environment. To date, human dimensions research in arctic regions has concentrated primarily on local events and contexts. As such, it complements analysis elsewhere of adaptation and sustainable development within broad institutional, social, and environmental contexts. This paper reviews five projects from the Human Dimensions of the Arctic System (HARC) initiative, established by the US National Science Foundation in 1997. Common themes and findings are highlighted: climatic variations or change affect societies through interactions with human activities; population dynamics provide key quantitative indicators of social impacts and well being; and specific impacts and responses are the result of complex, context-sensitive interactions. Congruent approaches to the challenges of interdisciplinary research are also identified: multivariate time plots aid the integration of data, retrospective and prospective studies are part of a continuum and reinforce one another, comparative studies are essential for understanding general principles of human dimensions, and arctic residents can play a vital role in research and action.