Characterization Of A Clustering Gas Jet For High Energy Density Plasma Production

When expanding through a nozzle into a vacuum in a high-pressure-backed supersonic jet, certain gases can condense into van der Waals-bound atomic or molecular clusters. These clusters absorb intense, pulsed laser light more efficiently than uniform gas jets of the same average density, making them useful sources of high energy density plasmas. An argon gas jet designed to produce such clusters was studied using Rayleigh scattering and interferometry

Triggered single photons from a quantum dot

We demonstrate a new method for generating triggered single photons. After a laser pulse generates excitons inside of a single quantum dot, electrostatic interactions between them and the resulting spectral shifts allow a single emitted photon to be isolated. Autocorrelation measurements show a reduction of the two-photon probability to 0.12 times the value for Poisson light. Strong anti-bunching persists when the emission is saturated. The emitted photons are also polarized.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, RevTex, to be published in PR

Software framework for geophysical data processing, visualization and code development

IGeoS is an integrated open-source software framework for geophysical data processing under development at the UofS seismology group. Unlike other systems, this processing monitor supports structured multicomponent seismic data streams, multidimensional data traces, and employs a unique backpropagation execution logic. This results in an unusual flexibility of processing, allowing the system to handle nearly any geophysical data. In this project, a modern and feature-rich Graphical User Interface (GUI) was developed for the system, allowing editing and submission of processing flows and interaction with running jobs. Multiple jobs can be executed in a distributed multi-processor networks and controlled from the same GUI. Jobs, in their turn, can also be parallelized to take advantage of parallel processing environments such as local area networks and Beowulf clusters. A 3D/2D interactive display server was created and integrated with the IGeoS geophysical data processing framework. With introduction of this major component, the IGeoS system becomes conceptually complete and potentially bridges the gap between the traditional processing and interpretation software. Finally, in a specialized application, network acquisition and relay components were written allowing IGeoS to be used for real-time applications. The completion of this functionality makes the processing and display capabilities of IGeoS available to multiple streams of seismic data from potentially remote sites. Seismic data can be acquired, transferred to the central server, processed, archived, and events picked and placed in database completely automatically

Effects of boron and light treatments on the ascorbate concentration of alfalfa sprouts [abstract]

Abstract only availableAlfalfa (Medicago sativa) sprouts are an inexpensive, year-round source of fresh produce. Consumption of sprouts could be further advocated if their nutritional benefits were improved. The purpose of this study was to determine if growing alfalfa sprouts with boron and light treatments will increase the ascorbic acid (vitamin C) content of the sprouts. Alfalfa seeds were germinated for 3 days with and without boron. Both +boron and -boron treatments were grown in the dark or given a 3 hour light treatment. Dark germination of alfalfa with boron increased the ascorbate content of the sprouts by 30% compared to those grown without boron. Light treatment increased ascorbate in both +boron and -boron treatments, but boron did not seem to cause a significant difference in ascorbate among the light treated sprouts. These findings may present a method for increasing the ascorbic acid concentration in dark grown sprouts by germination in the presence of boron.Missouri Fertilizer and Lime Boar

High phosphorus rapidly increase squash root magnesium, sodium and calcium concentration

Abstract only availablePrevious studies in our laboratory have shown a significant impact of phosphorus nutrition on mineral element dynamics in plant roots and shoots (Reinbott and Blevins 1991, 1994, 1999). We hypothesize that increased P availability increases ATP concentration, driving rapid increases in root concentration of several cations by stimulating the proton pump and opening gated ion channels. Considering the rapid turnover of ATP in plant tissues, P-induced changes in root mineral element concentrations should be observed in a relatively short time. Therefore, experiments were designed to evaluate the effect of P on root tissue cation concentrations over the time course of 30 min to 8 hrs. Squash plants were grown hydroponically in a complete nutrient solution (500 µM P) for six days, following by four days with 50 µM P. Treatments of 50 and 500 & µM P were started on day 10 and roots were harvested after 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 8 hours. Roots were rinsed in DI H2O, blotted, frozen in liquid nitrogen, and freeze-dried. Freeze-dried samples were ground, digested in nitric acid using a closed-vessel microwave system, and macro- and micronutrient concentrations were determined using ICP-OES. As expected, higher P in nutrient solution resulted in higher P concentrations in squash roots. This increase was first observed after 2 hrs. As for other cations, high P increased leaf magnesium, sodium, and calcium concentrations, and decreased zinc and potassium concentrations. Interestingly, the change in concentration of all these elements was observed within 30 min. This is, to our knowledge, the first study showing a short-time impact of P nutrition on root cation composition. It supports the hypothesis of the role of P in cation uptake.Gyeongsang National Universit

\u3cem\u3eRhizobium etli\u3c/em\u3e CE3 Bacteroid Lipopolysaccharides Are Structurally Similar but Not Identical to Those Produced by Cultured CE3 Bacteria

Rhizobium etli CE3 bacteroids were isolated from Phaseolus vulgaris root nodules. The lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from the bacteroids was purified and compared with the LPS from laboratory-cultured R. etli CE3and from cultures grown in the presence of anthocyanin. Comparisons were made of the O-chain polysaccharide, the core oligosaccharide, and the lipid A. Although LPS from CE3 bacteria and bacteroids are structurally similar, it was found that bacteroid LPS had specific modifications to both the O-chain polysaccharide and lipid A portions of their LPS. Cultures grown with anthocyanin contained modifications only to the O-chain polysaccharide. The changes to the O-chain polysaccharide consisted of the addition of a single methyl group to the 2-position of a fucosyl residue in one of the five O-chain trisaccharide repeat units.This same change occurred for bacteria grown in the presence of anthocyanin. This methylation change correlated with the inability of bacteroid LPS and LPS from anthocyanin-containing cultures to bind the monoclonal antibody JIM28. The coreoligosaccharide region of bacteroid LPS and from anthocyanin grown cultures was identical to that of LPS from normal laboratory-cultured CE3. The lipid A from bacteroids consisted exclusively of a tetraacylated species compared with the presence of both tetra-and pentaacylated lipid A from laboratory cultures. Growth in the presence of anthocyanin did not affect the lipid A structure. Purified bacteroids that could resume growth were also found to be more sensitive to the cationic peptides, poly-L-lysine, polymyxin-B, and melittin

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ORCO MOLE BAIT IN CONTROLLING MOLE DAMAGE

The tunneling damage caused by eastern moles (Scalopus aquaticus) and star-nosed moles (Condvlura cristata) is well known to professionals in lawn care, golf course maintenance, and turf grass production, as well as many private landowners. Present damage control methods, including trapping, gas and smoke fumigants, and insecticide applications have a wide variety of limitations and prove impractical in some situations. An easily applied mole damage control method is needed that professional and nonprofessional applicators can use in a variety of environmental and physical conditions. This study tested the effectiveness of Oreo Mole Bait, a chlorophacinone pellet placed in active tunnel systems. The bait was tested on both mole species, three soil types (sand, loam and muck), and two watering regimes (irrigated and not irrigated). Oreo Mole Bait was equally effective in controlling the damage caused by both eastern and star-nosed moles. Captive moles readily accepted the dry, hard bait pellets. The average time to control in field trials was 303 days following first application (21.5 days on dry soils, 38.7 days on irrigated soils). The bait was effective on all three soil types, but irrigation appeared to lessen effectiveness. On untreated control sites there was no correlation between precipitation, evaporation, or average maximum and minimum temperature and mole activity. Multiple occupancy and/or rapid reinvasion of abandoned tunnel systems and the use of tunnels by other fossorial species occurred on several study sites. Human alterations to the environment encourage mole activity. Several individuals utilized the areas beneath patios, wood piles and mulched areas for activity centers, and frequented artificial feeding sites such as birdfeeders. Oreo mole bait was a practical, effective mole damage control agent that was more easily applied than present damage control methods

Fertility management of cotton (1993)

The proper fertilization of cotton is difficult to determine because many variables can affect development and production. Anything that causes plant stress will affect nutrient uptake. Some factors involved are: soil texture, drainage, field preparation, weather, variety, time of planting, plant populations, emergence and stand, previous crop, and carry-over fertility and/or chemicals. A current soil test is still the best tool for taking the guesswork out of fertilization, and a balanced fertility program is necessary for good yields.David W. Albers (State Extension Specialist-Cotton, Delta Center), Steve Hefner (Research Associate, Delta Center), Dale Klobe (Area Agronomy Specialist, New Madrid County)New March 199

The Effectiveness of a New Mole Repellent for Preventing Damage to Lawns by Eastern Moles

A new product containing 65% castor oil with the trade name Mole-Med was evaluated for its effectiveness in repelling eastern moles (Scalopus aquaticus) from lawns. Seven lawns in southern Michigan during September, 1993 were selected as preliminary test sites, and the ridges over mole tunnels in the lawns were flattened each day for 3 days. If some existing and new ridges were raised each day, the site was classified as having mole activity and continuing damage. The repellent was then applied according to label directions, and ridges above mole tunnels were flattened as described previously. If no tunnels were raised on the test lawn after one week, the repellent was considered to be effective. The repellent was classified as effective on all 7 test lawns. In May-July, 1994, 17 additional lawns were selected in the same way as preliminary test sites and classified as having or not having mole damage. Eleven received repellent treatment, while 6 were considered control, 3 adjacent to a treated area, 3 not adjacent to treated areas. Raised mole produced ridges were flattened on all test sites. On any site where ridges remained flattened and no new ridges were created for one week, moles were considered repelled. Mole activity as indicated by raised ridges ceased on eleven treated sites but continued on 5 of 6 control sites. The effectiveness of the repellent as indicated by the lack of new ridges continued for 65 days on one treatment site and for 30 days on the remaining treatment sites