A compact spectroradiometer for solar simulator measurements

Compact spectral irradiance probe has been designed and built which uses wedge filter in conjunction with silicon cell and operational amplifier. Probe is used to monitor spectral energy distribution of solar simulators and other high intensity sources

The Appropriate Legal Standard and Sufficient Economic Evidence for Exclusive Dealing under Section 2: the FTC’s \u3ci\u3eMcWane\u3c/i\u3e Case

The FTC recently found McWane, Inc. liable for unlawful monopoly maintenance by a 3-1 majority. The dispute among the FTC Commissioners raises important and interesting issues regarding the law and economics of exclusive dealing and the proper evaluation of the competitive effects of exclusionary conduct. Commissioner Wright’s Dissent proposes and utilizes a new legal standard that requires the plaintiff to show “clear evidence” of harm to competition before shifting the burden to the defendant to show procompetitive efficiency benefits. This burden of proof and production on the plaintiff is much higher than showing “probable effect” based on a preponderance of the evidence standard. Application of this higher burden to interbrand exclusivity restraints by monopolists is not supported either by the case law, economic theory or empirical evidence. In evaluating harm to competition, this legal standard places no weight on certain important factors, including the fact that McWane was a monopolist with the explicit purpose of raising the costs and reducing the distribution of its only competitors. His proposed standard also does not consider whether McWane’s efficiency claims were valid, in the absence of other clear evidence of competitive harm. Commissioner Wright limits his economic analysis to only a single possible mechanism of exclusionary effect, whether the entrant was prevented from reaching minimum efficient scale of production, rather than a broader analysis of whether the entrant’s costs were raised or whether its ability to expand output was so limited by the exclusives that it was unable to prevent the maintenance of McWane’s monopoly pricing. Commissioner Wright also fails to credit the direct evidence of price effects found by the Commission. In our view, this proposed type of legal standard and economic approach is not an “enquiry meet for the case.” It creates a serious risk of leading to false negatives, under-enforcement and under-deterrence

ROSAT Observations of the Vela Pulsar

The ROSAT HRI was used to monitor X-ray emission from the Vela Pulsar. Six observations span 2-1/2 years and 3 glitches. The summed data yield a determination of the pulse shape, and X-ray emission from the pulsar is found to be 12 % pulsed with one broad and two narrow peaks. One observation occurred 15 days after a large glitch. No change in pulse structure was observed and any change in X-ray luminosity, if present, was less than 3 %. Implications for neutron star structure are discussed.Comment: To be publisned in the Astrophysical Journa

An ASCA Study of the W51 Complex

We present the analysis of ASCA archival data from the Galactic source W51. The ASCA spectra show that the soft (kT<= 2.5 keV) X-rays are of thermal origin and are compatible with W51C being a single, isothermal (kT~0.3 keV) supernova remnant at the far-side of the Sagittarius arm. The ASCA images reveal hard (kT>=2.5 keV) X-ray sources which were not seen in previous X-ray observations. Some of these sources are coincident with massive star-forming regions and the spectra are used to derive X-ray parameters. By comparing the X-ray absorbing column density with atomic hydrogen column density, we infer the location of star-forming regions relative to molecular clouds. There are unidentified hard X-ray sources superposed on the supernova remnant and we discuss the possibility of their association.Comment: 13 pages, 11 figures, to be published in Astronomical Journa

Thermotectonic evolution of an extensional dome: the Cenozoic Osogovo-Lisets core complex (Kraishte zone, western Bulgaria)

The Kraishte region of Bulgaria is located at the junction of the Balkanides and Hellenides-Dinarides tectonic belts. Fission-track analysis on both apatites and zircons documents the Cenozoic exhumation of a Precambrian basement bounded by low-angle detachments. Late Eocene-Oligocene extension began prior to 47Ma and was dominantly in a top-to-the-southwest direction, confirmed by the sense of younging of apatite and zircon ages. This crustal extension controlled the formation of half-graben sedimentary basins on the hanging walls of the detachments. Thermal modelling of these hanging wall units provides evidence for heat transfer across the detachments from a relatively warm rising footwall. From 32 to 29Ma, pervasive magmatic activity resulted in the emplacement of rhyolitic to dacitic subvolcanic bodies and dykes, along with intrusion of the Osogovo granite. The results give evidence for extension in the southern Balkan older than, and separated from, the Miocene to Quaternary Aegean extension. This might reflect transtension during northeastward extrusion and rotation of continental fragments around the western boundary of Moesia. Eocene-Oligocene extension seems to have been controlled by the distribution of earlier thickening all around the Carpatho-Balkanic orocline, which is reflected by the Cretaceous emplacement of the Morava Nappe in the Kraisht

Compact spectroradiometer

Development and characteristics of spectroradiometer with wedge filters to eliminate adverse effect of pinholes in filter

{\it Suzaku} observation of Galactic supernova remnant CTB 37A (G348.5+0.1)

We present here the results of the observation of CTB 37A obtained with the X-ray Imaging Spectrometer onboard the {\it Suzaku} satellite. The X-ray spectrum of CTB 37A is well fitted by two components, a single-temperature ionization equilibrium component (VMEKAL) with solar abundances, an electron temperature of $kT_{\rm e}\sim0.6$ keV, absorbing column density of $N_{\rm H}\sim3\times10^{22}$ ${\rm cm^{-2}}$ and a power-law component with photon index of $\Gamma$ $\sim 1.6$. The X-ray spectrum of CTB 37A is characterized by clearly detected K-shell emission lines of Mg, Si, S, and Ar. The plasma with solar abundances supports the idea that the X-ray emission originates from the shocked interstellar material. The ambient gas density, and age of the remnant are estimated to be $\sim1f^{-1/2}$${\rm cm^{-3}}$ and $\sim3\times10^{4}f^{1/2}$ yr, respectively. The center-filling X-ray emission surrounded by a shell-like radio structure and other X-ray properties indicate that this remnant would be a new member of mixed-morphology supernova remnant class

Subcutaneous Neurotophin 4 Infusion Using Osmotic Pumps or Direct Muscular Injection Enhances Aging Rat Laryngeal Muscles

Laryngeal dysfunction in the elderly is a major cause of disability, from voice disorders to dysphagia and loss of airway protective reflexes. Few, if any, therapies exist that target age-related laryngeal muscle dysfunction. Neurotrophins are involved in muscle innervation and differentiation of neuromuscular junctions (NMJs). It is thought that neurotrophins enhance neuromuscular transmission by increasing neurotransmitter release. The neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) become smaller and less abundant in aging rat laryngeal muscles, with evidence of functional denervation. We explored the effects of NTF4 for future clinical use as a therapeutic to improve function in aging human laryngeal muscles. Here, we provide the detailed protocol for systemic application and direct injection of NTF4 to investigate the ability of aging rat laryngeal muscle to remodel in response to NTF4 application. In this method, rats either received NTF4 either systemically via osmotic pump or by direct injection through the vocal folds. Laryngeal muscles were then dissected and used for histological examination of morphology and age-related denervation