The Photodetector Array Camera and Spectrometer (PACS) on the Herschel Space Observatory

The Photodetector Array Camera and Spectrometer (PACS) is one of the three science instruments on ESA's far infrared and submillimetre observatory. It employs two Ge:Ga photoconductor arrays (stressed and unstressed) with 16x25 pixels, each, and two filled silicon bolometer arrays with 16x32 and 32x64 pixels, respectively, to perform integral-field spectroscopy and imaging photometry in the 60-210\mu\ m wavelength regime. In photometry mode, it simultaneously images two bands, 60-85\mu\ m or 85-125\mu\m and 125-210\mu\ m, over a field of view of ~1.75'x3.5', with close to Nyquist beam sampling in each band. In spectroscopy mode, it images a field of 47"x47", resolved into 5x5 pixels, with an instantaneous spectral coverage of ~1500km/s and a spectral resolution of ~175km/s. We summarise the design of the instrument, describe observing modes, calibration, and data analysis methods, and present our current assessment of the in-orbit performance of the instrument based on the Performance Verification tests. PACS is fully operational, and the achieved performance is close to or better than the pre-launch predictions

Science and Adaptive Optics Requirements of MICADO, the E-ELT adaptive optics imaging camera

MICADO is the adaptive optics imaging camera being studied for the E-ELT. Its design has been optimised for use with MCAO, but will have its own SCAO module for the initial operational phase; and in principle could also be used with GLAO or LTAO. In this contribution, we outline a few of the science drivers for MICADO and show how these have shaped its design. The science drivers have led to a number of requirements on the AO system related to astrometry, photometry, and PSF uniformity. We discuss why these requirements have arisen and what might be done about them.Comment: 6 pages, to appear in the proceedings of the AO4ELT conference, held in Paris, 22-26 June 200

Introduction to the Saskatchewan Herb Research Centre

Non-Peer Reviewe

Use of chemical markers for identification of species in the Genus echinacea

Non-Peer ReviewedHighly-priced seed and root of two commercially important species of echinacea, Echinacea angustifolia and Echinacea pallida, are very difficult to distinguish macro- and micro-scopically. In support of high standards of quality and in effort to clear the confusion on the medicinal plant market, we have developed a chemical fingerprint test for authentication of echinacea seed using chromatographic techniques (TLC and HPLC). This test is able to reveal whether seed is of true species, or a cross between the species. Reference will also be made to authentication of Echinacea species by chemical fingerprinting of lipophylic root extract

Determination of quality parameters in Hypericum perforatum grown in Saskatchewan

Non-Peer ReviewedHypericum perforatum, a medicinal plant known as Saint John’s Wort, has been used extensively for its antidepressant activity in North America over the past three years. The objective of this study was to establish the influence of plant part and time of harvest on phytomedicinal quality of Saint John’s Wort grown in Saskatoon. Varietal influence on quality was also investigated. Flowering tops, upper leaves and stems, and lower leaves and stems of two and three years old plants, variety Standard, harvested at seven different times from budding to post-blooming from June to September, 1998, were used for quality assessment. Extraction protocol for optimal recovery and an high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for quantification of 7 marker compounds for Saint John’s Wort, hypericin and pseudohypericin, and 5 selected flavonoids (quercitrin, quercetin, rutin, hyperoside and biapigenin) were developed. The flowering tops followed by the upper most leaves contained the highest concentration of hypericins and flavonoids when harvested in late June, 0.35 % and 4.0%, respectively. The hypericins content declined by more than 90% between late June and end of August. The content of flavonoids showed a similar declining trend from early July onward. A correlation between date of harvest and quality, and plant part and quality was apparent. Two varieties, Anthos and Elixir™, were found superior in both plant yield and plant quality

Influence of harvest time on quality and marketability of commercially important Echinacea spp.

Non-Peer ReviewedIn late 90’s Echinacea, particularly Echinacea angustifolia, has become a lucrative medicinal root crop on the prairies. In the absence of well substantiated and reliable information on optimal time to harvest, roots are harvested in the fall of the 3rd or 4th year of production. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of three harvest times, spring, mid-summer and fall on accumulation of compounds believed to be responsible for the immunostimulatory activity of Echinacea. Phenolic glycosides (echinacoside in E. angustifolia and chicoric acid in E. purpurea) (1), alkylamides (2), and polysaccharides (3), were the three classes of natural compounds used for the phytochemical quality assessment in this study. Results indicated that root of 3-year old E. angustifolia plants harvested in the fall contained significantly higher content of polysaccharides, slightly higher content of echinacoside and slightly lower content of total alkylamides than roots collected in spring and summer. Also, roots of 2-year old plants were significantly higher in echinacoside and total alkylamides and significantly lower in polysaccharides than their 3-year counterpart irrespective of harvest time. Roots of 4-year old E. purpurea harvested in the fall contained higher amount of chicoric acid than roots harvested in spring and mid-summer. Given that echinacoside content is presently used by herb industry as an indicator of crop quality (and price), and for standardization of botanical preparations (typically 4%), we also determined the distribution of echinacoside and cynarin in fall harvested E. angustifolia root system. Both compounds were found to accumulate in greater quantities in small rootlets and root crowns than in main tap roots suggesting that phytomedicinal quality and market value are greatly dependent on the harvesting method. Other aspects of cultivation with implications on marketability of Echinacea are also discussed

Feasibility of producing Comfrey (Symphytum spp.) pellet as a feed supplement

Non-Peer ReviewedComfrey (Symphytum spp.) is highly valued animal feed supplement which commands premium price in some parts of the world. It is a well documented medicinal plant which is easy to grow, but due to low fiber content, and high moisture and protein contents, is not as easy to dehydrate. The objective of this study was to generate preliminary information on cultivation and chemical composition, with emphasis on toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids (P As), of two comfrey species: S. officainale (common) and S. uplandicum (Russian). Also, the feasibility of pilot scale dehydration and pelletization of leaves was to be established. It was found that in comparison to alfalfa pellets, comfrey pellets were less durable (73% vs. 89%) and less hard (4.3 MPa vs. 6.84 MPa), but in appearance and some physical properties they met the alfalfa industry standards

First report of KPC-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in Croatia

In February 2011. a 78 old male patient was admitted to Clinical Hospital Center Zagreb with subdural haematoma. K. pneumoniae with reduced susceptibility to carbapenems was isolated. The aim of the study was to characterize the carbapenem-resistance mechanisms of the strain. The isolate showed resistance or intermediate susceptibility to expanded-spectrum cephalosporins, \u3b2-lactam combinations with inhibitors, carbapenems and gentamicin but remained susceptible only to ciprofloxacin and colistin. Modified Hodge test was consistent with the activity of carbapenemases. The MBL test for metallo-\u3b2-lactamase was negative indicating the absence of metallo \u3b2-lactamase. Imipenem resistance was not transferred to E. coli recipient strain by conjugation. PCR revealed the presence of blaKPC, blaTEM genes and blaSHV genes. Sequencing of blaKPC gene revealed the presence of KPC-2 \u3b2-lactamase. belong to ST37 clone by MLST. Infection control efforts limited the spread of KPC-producing clone of K. pneumoniae in our hospital so far. To our knowledge this is the first report of a KPC-producing K. pneumoniae in Croatia. This report demonstrates the need to monitor both hospitalized patients for the further emergence of carbapenem resistance in K. pneumoniae. Continuous surveillance in tracking KPC-producing K. pneumoniae in the hospitals is necessary to prevent their spread to other hospitals and communit