Very high-energy observations of the two high-frequency peaked BL Lac objects 1ES 1218+304 and H 1426+428

We present results of very-high-energy gamma-ray observations (E > 160 GeV) of two high-frequency-peaked BL Lac (HBL) objects, 1ES 1218+304 and H 1426+428, with the Solar Tower Atmospheric Cherenkov Effect Experiment (STACEE). Both sources are very-high-energy gamma-ray emitters above 100 GeV, detected using ground-based Cherenkov telescopes. STACEE observations of 1ES 1218+304 and H 1426+428 did not produce detections; we present 99% CL flux upper limits for both sources, assuming spectral indices measured mostly at higher energies

Observations of the BL Lac Object 3C 66A with STACEE

We present the analysis and results of recent high-energy gamma-ray observations of the BL Lac object 3C 66A conducted with the Solar Tower Atmospheric Cherenkov Effect Experiment (STACEE). During the 2003-2004 observing season, STACEE extensively observed 3C 66A as part of a multiwavelength campaign on the source. A total of 33.7 hours of data was taken on the source, plus an equivalent-duration background observation. After cleaning the data set a total of 16.3 hours of live time remained, and a net on-source excess of 1134 events was seen against a background of 231742 events. At a significance of 2.2 standard deviations this excess is insufficient to claim a detection of 3C 66A, but is used to establish flux upper limits for the source.Comment: Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journa

Very high energy observations of the BL Lac objects 3C 66A and OJ 287

Using the Solar Tower Atmospheric Cherenkov Effect Experiment (STACEE), we have observed the BL Lac objects 3C 66A and OJ 287. These are members of the class of low-frequency-peaked BL Lac objects (LBLs) and are two of the three LBLs predicted by Costamante and Ghisellini to be potential sources of very high energy (>100 GeV) gamma-ray emission. The third candidate, BL Lacertae, has recently been detected by the MAGIC collaboration. Our observations have not produced detections; we calculate a 99% CL upper limit of flux from 3C 66A of 0.15 Crab flux units and from OJ 287 our limit is 0.52 Crab. These limits assume a Crab-like energy spectrum with an effective energy threshold of 185 GeV.Comment: 24 pages, 15 figures, Accepted for publication in Astroparticle Physic

Selection before backcross during exotic germplasm introgression

Introgression of genes from exotic germplasm into breeding populations can broaden the genetic base of crop improvement. Only a very small percentage of genetic variability has been used in crop breeding programs. Traditionally, F1 plants are used to backcross to the adapted lines or populations. An alternative approach is to backcross the F2 individuals selected for agronomic acceptability. Our objective was to determine whether selection before backcross would lead to more progenies with both high yield and acceptable levels of agronomic performance than direct backcross without selection. To test the feasibility of the proposed approach, we conducted parallel experiments in which two exotic sorghum accessions were crossed to two adapted sorghum parents and further backcrossing was conducted with either F1 or selected F2 plants. Fifty random S1 families were evaluated in three test environments. Although selection before backcross resulted in a higher frequency of families with maturity equal to or earlier than those of the adapted parents, no consistent changes in grain yield and plant height were observed between populations with and without selection. Similar results were found with either an inbred or a population as the recurrent parents. Given these findings and the extra generation required, we do not recommend selection before backcross in the process of introgression of exotic germplasm