The SNS Cryogenic Control System: Experiences in Collaboration

The cryogenic system for the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) is designed by Jefferson Laboratory (JLab) personnel and is based on the existing JLab facility. Our task is to use the JLab control system design [2] as much as practical while remaining consistent with SNS control system standards. Some aspects of the systems are very similar, including equipment to be controlled, the need for PID loops and automatic sequences, and the use of EPICS. There are differences in device naming, system hardware, and software tools. The cryogenic system is the first SNS system to be developed using SNS standards. This paper reports on our experiences in integrating the new and the old.Comment: 3 page

Phytoseiid mites associated with spider mites on hops in the Willamette Valley, Oregon

Densities and damage by twospotted spider mites, Tetranychus urticae Koch and levels of phytoseiid mites on hops were assessed in 34 commercial fields and at 11-19 sites of escaped hops in the Willamette valley of western Oregon in 1991-1992. Amblyseius fallacis (Garman), Typhlodromus pyri Scheuten, Amblyseius andersoni Chant and Metaseiulus occidentalis (Nesbitt) were most common. On escaped hops, T. pyri was more common than other phytoseiids. It occurred widely on plants surrounding commercial hops including blackberry and other rosaceous plants and probably is a vagrant on escaped hops. A. fallacis was most common in commercial hops making up 88% of all specimens, followed by many fewer M. occidentalis and T. pyri. Early spring survival of A Jallacis in commercial hops was poor because of certain cultural practices used in the spring. Means to improve biological control of spider mites on hops are discussed including amended methods of hop culture, use of selective pesticides and inoculative releases of predaceous mites.Keywords: Amblyseiusfallacis; Metaseiulus occidentalis; Typhlodromus pyri; Amblyseius andersoni; Tetranychus urtica

The final COS-B database: In-flight calibration of instrumental parameters

A method for the determination of temporal variation of sensitivity is designed to find a set of parameters which lead to maximum consistency between the intensities derived from different observation periods. This method is briefly described and the resulting sensitivity and background variations presented

Diffractive Interaction and Scaling Violation in pp->pi^0 Interaction and GeV Excess in Galactic Diffuse Gamma-Ray Spectrum of EGRET

We present here a new calculation of the gamma-ray spectrum from pp->pi^0 in the Galactic ridge environment. The calculation includes the diffractive pp interaction and incorporates the Feynman scaling violation for the first time. Galactic diffuse gamma-rays come, predominantly, from pi^0->gamma gamma in the sub-GeV to multi-GeV range. Hunter et al. found, however, an excess in the GeV range ("GeV Excess") in the EGRET Galactic diffuse spectrum above the prediction based on experimental pp->pi^0 cross-sections and the Feynman scaling hypothesis. We show, in this work, that the diffractive process makes the gamma-ray spectrum harder than the incident proton spectrum by ~0.05 in power-law index, and, that the scaling violation produces 30-80% more pi^0 than the scaling model for incident proton energies above 100GeV. Combination of the two can explain about a half of the "GeV Excess" with the local cosmic proton (power-law index ~2.7). The excess can be fully explained if the proton spectral index in the Galactic ridge is a little harder (~0.2 in power-law index) than the local spectrum. Given also in the paper is that the diffractive process enhances e^+ over e^- and the scaling violation gives 50-100% higher p-bar yield than without the violation, both in the multi-GeV range.Comment: 35 pages, 11 figures, to appear in Astrophysical Journa

EGRET Observations of the Diffuse Gamma-Ray Emission in Orion: Analysis Through Cycle 6

We present a study of the high-energy diffuse emission observed toward Orion by the Energetic Gamma-Ray Experiment Telescope (EGRET) on the Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory. The total exposure by EGRET in this region has increased by more than a factor of two since a previous study. A simple model for the diffuse emission adequately fits the data; no significant point sources are detected in the region studied ($l = 195^\circ$ to $220^\circ$ and $b = -25^\circ to -10^\circ$) in either the composite dataset or in two separate groups of EGRET viewing periods considered. The gamma-ray emissivity in Orion is found to be $(1.65 \pm 0.11) \times 10^{-26} {s sr}^{-1}$ for E > 100 MeV, and the differential emissivity is well-described as a combination of contributions from cosmic-ray electrons and protons with approximately the local density. The molecular mass calibrating ratio is $N(H_2)/W_{CO} = (1.35 \pm 0.15) \times 10^{20} cm^{-2} (K km/s)^{-1}$.Comment: 16 pages, including 5 figures. 3 Tables as three separate files. Latex document, needs AASTEX style files. Accepted for publication in Ap

Eupsychian Management: Organizational Change, Behavior, Motivation, And Trust

In Part 1 of this real-life incident, Professor Carson is teaching the customary material associated with the multiple theories of leadership, motivation, and organizational behavior. He deviates slightly from the way he normally presents these standard concepts and theories and divulges the concept of Eupsychian Management — a culture in which self-actualizing people behave in ways where trust begets trust and work is viewed as natural as play or rest. The class is given the following website www.interpolis.nl which demonstrates how the built environment of Interpolis relates to its organizational culture and behavior. In Part 2, the content of a personal interview that he conducted in Tilburg, The Netherlands — the home of Interpolis is elaborated. A new organizational culture based on “trust” — both of employees and customers is revealed. The end performance results and the productivity metrics are unbelievably high. The reader is challenged to address the content of seven penetrating questions and instructions which are part of the learning module; then, is asked to complete the case log and administrative journal entry

SPI Measurements of the Diffuse Galactic Hard X-ray Continuum

INTEGRAL Spectrometer SPI data from the first year of the Galactic Centre Deep Exposure has been analysed for the diffuse continuum from the Galactic ridge. A new catalogue of sources from the INTEGRAL Imager IBIS has been used to account for their contribution to the celestial signal. Apparently diffuse emission is detected at a level ~10% of the total source flux. A comparison of the spectrum of diffuse emission with that from an analysis of IBIS data alone shows that they are consistent. The question of the contribution of unresolved sources to this ridge emission is still open.Comment: Proceedings of the 5th INTEGRAL Workshop, Munich 16-20 February 2004. ESA SP-552. Reference to Terrier et al. (2004) updated to include astro-ph versio

Diffuse Galactic Soft Gamma-Ray Emission

The Galactic diffuse soft gamma-ray (30-800 keV) emission has been measured from the Galactic Center by the HIREGS balloon-borne germanium spectrometer to determine the spectral characteristics and origin of the emission. The resulting Galactic diffuse continuum is found to agree well with a single power-law (plus positronium) over the entire energy range, consistent with RXTE and COMPTEL/CGRO observations at lower and higher energies, respectively. We find no evidence of spectral steepening below 200 keV, as has been reported in previous observations. The spatial distribution along the Galactic ridge is found to be nearly flat, with upper limits set on the longitudinal gradient, and with no evidence of an edge in the observed region. The soft gamma-ray diffuse spectrum is well modeled by inverse Compton scattering of interstellar radiation off of cosmic-ray electrons, minimizing the need to invoke inefficient nonthermal bremsstrahlung emission. The resulting power requirement is well within that provided by Galactic supernovae. We speculate that the measured spectrum provides the first direct constraints on the cosmic-ray electron spectrum below 300 MeV.Comment: 26 pages, 7 figure, submitted to Ap

Fundamental physics in space with the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope

Successfully launched in June 2008, the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, formerly named GLAST, has been observing the high-energy gamma-ray sky with unprecedented sensitivity for more than two years, opening a new window on a wide variety of exotic astrophysical objects. This paper is a short overview of the main science highlights, aimed at non-specialists, with emphasis on those which are more directly connected with the study of fundamental physics---particularly the search for signals of new physics in the diffuse gamma-ray emission and in the cosmic radiation and the study of Gamma-Ray Burst as laboratories for testing possible violations of the Lorentz invariance.Comment: 12 pages, 7 figures, submitted for the proceedings of DICE 201

Point-of-Care Diagnostic Device for the Quantitative Analysis of Human Estradiol at Low-Picomolar Concentrations

A fundamental issue in healthcare is the development of cost-effective and reliable diagnostic assays. While still a relatively new field, paper-based analytical devices are emerging as inexpensive and portable methods of providing healthcare professionals with real-time diagnostic information. Furthermore, these devices can often be used at the point of care, thus eliminating the need for a myriad of time-consuming laboratory techniques. While the original goal of this project was to develop a paper-based lateral flow immunoassay capable of colorimetric quantitation, the device design was altered over the course of the past year. Upon testing, the originally proposed lateral flow assay lacked adequate sensitivity and reliability. Therefore, a novel three-dimensional paper-based analytical device was developed. This new device design utilizes enzymatic amplification to break down a biomatrix, ultimately producing a chronometric readout. This unique biomatrix can detect \u3c1 femtomole (10-15) of analyte, with degradation time being directly correlated to analyte concentration. Thus far, device storage conditions, viable pH ranges, and viable temperature ranges have been determined. While further refinement is still needed, these diagnostic devices have the potential to revolutionize point-of-care assays through the quantification of analytes in both field and clinical settings