Dependence of nuclear magnetic moments on quark masses and limits on temporal variation of fundamental constants from atomic clock experiments

We calculate the dependence of the nuclear magnetic moments on the quark masses including the spin-spin interaction effects and obtain limits on the variation of the fine structure constant $\alpha$ and $(m_q/\Lambda_{QCD})$ using recent atomic clock experiments examining hyperfine transitions in H, Rb, Cs, Yb$^+$ and Hg$^+$ and the optical transition in H, Hg$^+$ and Yb$^+$

The fundamental constants and their variation: observational status and theoretical motivations

This article describes the various experimental bounds on the variation of the fundamental constants of nature. After a discussion on the role of fundamental constants, of their definition and link with metrology, the various constraints on the variation of the fine structure constant, the gravitational, weak and strong interactions couplings and the electron to proton mass ratio are reviewed. This review aims (1) to provide the basics of each measurement, (2) to show as clearly as possible why it constrains a given constant and (3) to point out the underlying hypotheses. Such an investigation is of importance to compare the different results, particularly in view of understanding the recent claims of the detections of a variation of the fine structure constant and of the electron to proton mass ratio in quasar absorption spectra. The theoretical models leading to the prediction of such variation are also reviewed, including Kaluza-Klein theories, string theories and other alternative theories and cosmological implications of these results are discussed. The links with the tests of general relativity are emphasized.Comment: 56 pages, l7 figures, submitted to Rev. Mod. Phy

Studies of Watermelon Loading for Rail Shipment, 1953

Excerpts from the report Summary: Shipping tests with watermelons by rail from Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina to various destinations in 1953 showed that loading the Congo variety of melons cross-wise of the car instead of lengthwise (the conventional method) resulted in 70 percent less bruising, 69 percent fewer cracked melons, and 47 percent less surface scarring than in comparable shipments loaded lengthwise. Shipments of 50 test cars loaded cross-wise and 52 check cars loaded according to the conventional lengthwise method, were studied during the melon shipping season. Shipping tests of 8 additional experimental loads showed that in the stem-end-to- stem-end arrangement of melons in lengthwise loads there were 22 percent fewer damaged melons than in the conventional stem-end-to-blossom-end arrangement

Packing and Shipping Lettuce in Fiberboard Cartons and Wooden Crates: A Comparison

Excerpt from the report Introduction: The purpose of this study is to compare in some detail results of the use of the two principal methods of packing and shipping lettuce: (1) Shed ice-pack of 4 or 5 dozen heads, and (2) field dry-pack in cartons of 2 or 2½ dozen heads, vacuum-cooled. Although there are several other variations, this study is confined to these two most widely used methods of packing

Crosswise Loading of Long-Type Watermelons

Excerpts from the report: Although watermelons have always sustained considerable loss and damage in rail shipment, the problem has become more acute in recent years in shipments from the southeastern producing areas to northern markets. Most of this substantial increase in melon damage has been directly attributable to the increased production and shipment during the last 5 years of several new and improved varieties of long-type melons that are considerably more susceptible to bruising than the older varieties of round- type melons. Shipping experiments by rail from Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina to northern markets with the Congo variety of watermelon during the 1953 and 1954 seasons disclosed that loading this long-type melon crosswise of the car resulted in a reduction of 71.6 percent in melon bruising, 68 percent in the number of cracked melons, and 30.6 percent in surface scarring as compared with loading melons lengthwise of the car (the conventional method). The overall reduction in total external damage to melons was 70.5 percent. Observations were made on a total for both seasons of 111 test cars with the melons loaded crosswise and 109 companion carloads of comparable melons loaded lengthwise

Efficiency and Potential Economies of Dual-Purpose Shipping Containers for Mature-Green Tomatoes

Excerpt from the report: The main objective of this research was to determine the feasibility of shipping mature-green tomatoes in various types of comparatively new containers, especially those designed for reuse, and to measure the potential savings that might be realized from their use. One of the primary considerations was to determine whether bulk fruit packed in each type of container would reach the repacker in good condition as compared to the most commonly used containers. This included measuring the comparative quality, ripeness, bruising, and decay of the fruit as related to the transportation, refrigeration, and handling involved in packing and shipping in several different types of containers. Various loading patterns were tested to determine which methods would provide adequate circulation of air for desirable fruit temperatures. Another purpose of this research was to find out which size, type, and design of container would produce the most economies in packing, shipping, and repacking operations