Quantum supergroups V. Braid group action

We construct a braid group action on quantum covering groups. We further use this action to construct a PBW basis for the positive half in finite type which is pairwise-orthogonal under the inner product. This braid group action is induced by operators on the integrable modules; however, these operators satisfy spin braid relations.Comment: v1. 31 pages v2. minor revisions, updated references, to appear in CM

Radio observations of the massive stellar cluster Westerlund 1

High-dynamic range radio observations of Westerlund 1 are presented that detect a total of 21 stars in the young massive stellar cluster, the richest population of radio emitting stars known for any young massive galactic cluster in the Galaxy. We will discuss some of the more remarkable objects, including the highly radio luminous supergiant B[e] star W9, with an estimated mass-loss rate ~10^{-3} solarmass/yr, comparable to that of eta Carina, along with the somewhat unusual detection of thermal emission from almost all the cool red supergiants and yellow hypergiants. There is strong supporting evidence from X-ray observations that each of the WR stars with radio emission are likely to be colliding-wind binariesComment: To appear in the proceedings of "Massive Stars: Fundamental Parameters and Circumstellar Interactions". 2 pages, 1 figur

Relationship Between Fruit Yield and Damage by Codling Moth and Plum Curculio in a Biologically-Managed Apple Orchard

Fruit yield, codling moth (Cydia pomonella) damage, and plum curculio (Conotrachelus nenuphar) damage were monitored over an 8-year period in a O.5-ha, biologically-managed apple orchard in southwestern Michigan. The relationship between yield and damage was examined for both of these pests. The orchard showed clear biennial bearing patterns of alternating high and low yields. A significant negative correlation was found for yield and percent- age damage by codling moth but not for plum curculio damage. However, the estimated amount of fruit damaged by codling moth remained relatively stable over the period, indicating that changes in percentage damage depended on yield dynamics rather than changes in codling moth abundance. In contrast, the amount of fruit damaged by plum curculio showed biennial fluctuations and a positive correlation with yield, indicating that the population of this pest was capable of responding with increased oviposition in years with greater fruit yield. In addition, a comparison of codling moth fruit injury in years with and without the use of pheromone mating disruption showed no statistically significant reduction in damage as a result of using this method, suggesting that the orchard may be too small or codling moth populations too high for effective use of this management tactic