Exact solution of lossy asymmetrical coupled dielectric slab waveguides

This paper gives an exact characteristic equation for asymmetrical coupled dielectric slab waveguides with losses in both the guiding and surrounding regions. For the lossless case the solution of a single transcendental equation is all that is required for the evaluation of the propagation constant

Assessing the costs and benefits of agricultural production using an ecosystem approach

Integrated Farm Management (IFM) is seen as one way for agriculture to contribute towards the UKs challenging national targets for climate change, pollution, biodiversity and other environmental factors. Whilst it is clear that IFM and associated assurance schemes have a role in food quality and enhancement of the environment, they fail to address a number of issues. In particular, they fail to take sufficient account of ‘impact’ and ‘outcome’. In contrast, the relatively new concept of an ecosystem approach does consider these and there is extensive synergy between this approach and IFM. This is pertinent because the UK Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is taking steps to embed an ecosystem approach in policy-making and delivery. This paper sets out to explore the links between IFM and an ecosystem approach and introduces a simple matrix to show how an ecosystem approach might be used to assess the outcome of IFM practices. Limited use of an ecosystem approach suggests that this type of methodology could deliver useful results for IFM. However, it should be used as a decision-support tool rather than a decision-maker. The advantage of using an ecosystem approach for assessing the impact of IFM is that it provides a holistic assessment of land management strategies, rather than focusing on either cropping, or environmental management, alone. However, the values assigned to individual parameters are generally based on expert opinion and, as such, are open to interpretation. Indeed, an ecosystem approach should be interdisciplinary, utilising the knowledge and expertise of a range of stakeholders. Whilst the development of an ecosystem approach for use within an agricultural setting shows promise, it is still in its infancy. There is a need for much discussion, between many disciplines, before it becomes accepted practice

Growth and population dynamics of crayfish Paranephrops planifrons in streams within native forest and pastoral land uses

Population dynamics of crayfish (Paranephrops planifrons White) in streams draining native forest and pastoral catchments, Waikato, New Zealand, were investigated from September 1996 to July 1998. Crayfish densities were generally greater in native forest streams because of high recruitment over summer, but varied greatly between streams in both land uses. Peak densities in summer were 9 crayfish m-2 in native forest and 6 crayfish m-2 in pasture streams, but peak biomass in summer was much greater in pasture streams. Mark-recapture data showed that crayfish, particularly juveniles, in pasture streams grew faster than in native forest streams, through both greater moult frequency and larger moult increments. Females reached reproductive size at c. 20 mm orbit-carapace length (OCL) after their first year in pasture streams, but after 2 years in native forest streams. Annual degree days >10°C appeared to explain the differences in the timing of life cycles. Estimates of annual crayfish production (range = 0.8-3.4 g dry weight m-2 year-1) were similar in both land uses, and P/B ratios were between 0.95 and 1.2. Despite deforestation and conversion to pasture, crayfish in these Waikato hill-country streams have maintained similar levels of annual production to those in native forest streams, although juvenile growth rates have increased and longevity has decreased

Cavity ringdown laser absorption spectroscopy and time-of-flight mass spectroscopy of jet-cooled silver silicides

The cavity ringdown technique has been employed for the first spectroscopic characterization of the AgSi molecule, which is generated in a pulsed laser vaporization plasma reactor. A total of 20 rovibronic bands between 365 and 385 nm have been measured and analyzed to yield molecular properties for the X, B, and C 2Sigma states of AgSi. A time-of-flight mass spectrometer simultaneously monitors species produced in the molecular beam and has provided the first direct evidence for the existence of polyatomic silver silicides. Comparison of the AgSi data to our recent results for the CuSi diatom reveals very similar chemical bonding in the two coinage metal silicides, apparently dominated by covalent interactions

Apollo experience report: Lunar module environmental control subsystem

A functional description of the environmental control subsystem is presented. Development, tests, checkout, and flight experiences of the subsystem are discussed; and the design fabrication, and operational difficulties associated with the various components and subassemblies are recorded. Detailed information is related concerning design changes made to, and problems encountered with, the various elements of the subsystem, such as the thermal control water sublimator, the carbon dioxide sensing and control units, and the water section. The problems associated with water sterilization, water/glycol formulation, and materials compatibility are discussed. The corrective actions taken are described with the expection that this information may be of value for future subsystems. Although the main experiences described are problem oriented, the subsystem has generally performed satisfactorily in flight

Temporal fluctuations in the differential rotation of cool active stars

This paper reports positive detections of surface differential rotation on two rapidly rotating cool stars at several epochs, by using stellar surface features (both cool spots and magnetic regions) as tracers of the large scale latitudinal shear that distorts the convective envelope in this type of stars. We also report definite evidence that this differential rotation is different when estimated from cool spots or magnetic regions, and that it undergoes temporal fluctuations of potentially large amplitude on a time scale of a few years. We consider these results as further evidence that the dynamo processes operating in these stars are distributed throughout the convective zone rather than being confined at its base as in the Sun. By comparing our observations with two very simple models of the differential rotation within the convective zone, we obtain evidence that the internal rotation velocity field of the stars we investigated is not like that of the Sun, and may resemble that we expect for rapid rotators. We speculate that the changes in differential rotation result from the dynamo processes (and from the underlying magnetic cycle) that periodically converts magnetic energy into kinetic energy and vice versa. We emphasise that the technique outlined in this paper corresponds to the first practical method for investigating the large scale rotation velocity field within convective zones of cool active stars, and offers several advantages over asteroseismology for this particular purpose and this specific stellar class.Comment: 14 pages, 4 figure

Influence of human pressures on large river structure and function

A large river study was conducted as part of the Cross Departmental Research Pool (CDRP) ecological integrity project to (i) provide an overview of the macroinvertebrate faunas of large rivers, including those in deep-water habitats, and (ii) to elucidate links between these faunas, river function and anthropogenic stressors. Eleven sites on 6th-order or 7th-order rivers were sampled; four in the South Island and seven in the North Island. We measured (i) macroinvertebrate communities colonising wood, riffles (where present), littoral habitats (1.5 m deep) (ii) ecosystem metabolism using a single-station open-channel approach based on natural changes in dissolved oxygen concentration over a 24-hour period, and (iii) wood and cellulose breakdown. Relationships were investigated between these response variables and reach-scale assessments of habitat quality, underlying upstream and segment environmental variables provided in the Freshwater Environments of New Zealand (FWENZ) database, and anthropogenic pressure variables provided by the Waters of National Importance (WONI) database