Optical Instrument Survival In A Major Earthquake

Many organizations presently are evaluating the potential loss to plant, equipment and production capability in event of a major earthquake in their area. Often it is found that equipment can be protected at a fraction of the replacement cost. The paper discusses ground accelerations, seismic probability and certain characteristics of earthquake ground motion. Methods for determining loads from the Uniform Building Code and acceleration response spectrums are explained. Protection techniques for optical equipment are presented including rigid anchors, snubbers and sensing systems. The paper is for optical engineers and managers, with no particular background in seismology or structural engineering required

The enigmatic spin evolution of PSR J0537-6910: r-modes, gravitational waves and the case for continued timing

We discuss the unique spin evolution of the young X-ray pulsar PSR J0537-6910, a system in which the regular spin down is interrupted by glitches every few months. Drawing on the complete timing data from the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE, from 1999-2011), we argue that a trend in the inter-glitch behaviour points to an effective braking index close to $n=7$, much larger than expected. This value is interesting because it would accord with the neutron star spinning down due to gravitational waves from an unstable r-mode. We discuss to what extent this, admittedly speculative, scenario may be consistent and if the associated gravitational-wave signal would be within reach of ground based detectors. Our estimates suggest that one may, indeed, be able to use future observations to test the idea. Further precision timing would help enhance the achievable sensitivity and we advocate a joint observing campaign between the Neutron Star Interior Composition ExploreR (NICER) and the LIGO-Virgo network.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figures, emulate ApJ forma

Response of Putnam county soils to phosphate fertilizer

The experiment was designed to test the response of the major cultivated soil types found in Putnam County to phosphate fertilizer, Marglobe tomato plants being used as the medium, with the following treatments: 1. Nitrogen and potash with no phosphate 2. Nitrogen and potash with phosphate 3. Nitrogen and potash with different amounts of phosphat