Studies of the spectroscopy and collision dynamics of some lon-pair states of 12 using laser optical-optical double resonsance excitation

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Circumferential pressure probe

A probe for measuring circumferential pressure inside a body cavity is disclosed. In the preferred embodiment, a urodynamic pressure measurement probe for evaluating human urinary sphincter function is disclosed. Along the length of the probe are disposed a multiplicity of deformable wall sensors which typically comprise support tube sections with flexible side wall areas. These are arranged along the length of the probe in two areas, one just proximal to the tip for the sensing of fluid pressure inside the bladder, and five in the sensing section which is positioned within the urethra at the point at which the urinary sphincter constricts to control the flow of urine. The remainder of the length of the probe comprises multiple rigid support tube sections interspersed with flexible support tube sections in the form of bellows to provide flexibility

A METHOD COMPARISON STUDY OF ACCELEROMETER BASED BLOCK RESPONSE TIMES IN SPRINTING

This study aimed to provide a method comparison of a rail mounted accelerometer for detection of block response-times (RT) with an International Association of Athletic Federation (IAAF) approved automatic start control system (IAAF RT). Twenty national and international sprinters completed sprint trials under simulated race conditions. An accelerometer was placed on the block rail of blocks and RT was determined using visual inspection of the accelerometer signal and using a 3SD threshold method. On average, the visual method detected the RT event 7 ms before, and the 3SD method detected RT 1 ms after the IAAF RT. The results indicated close agreement between the 3SD threshold method and the IAAF RT, however, this highlights the need for further re-examination of threshold-based detection algorithms which may delay the detection of the RT event

VISUAL DETECTION OF RESPONSE TIME IN ATHLETICS: A “GOLD STANDARD”?

The response time (RT) in the sprint start in athletics is determined automatically from sensors on the blocks but the final decision on whether an athlete is disqualified is determined by visual inspection of the sensor data. This study explored the level of uncertainty of the visual detection of athletes’ RT in the sprint start. Fifteen sprinters performed six sprint starts while forces from the front block, rear block and hands were recorded. Two experimenters performed visual RT detection on two consecutive occasions using two sizes for the analysis window. Intra- and inter-reliability analysis indicated that the mean level of uncertainty of the visual detection was approximately 20 ms for the starting block data. More research is needed to formally assess the precision of the visual detection, which may result in changes in the current false start regulation

Initial test results on bolometers for the Planck high frequency instrument

We summarize the fabrication, flight qualification, and dark performance of bolometers completed at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for the High Frequency Instrument (HFI) of the joint ESA/NASA Herschel/Planck mission to be launched in 2009. The HFI is a multicolor focal plane which consists of 52 bolometers operated at 100 mK. Each bolometer is mounted to a feedhorn-filter assembly which defines one of six frequency bands centered between 100-857 GHz. Four detectors in each of five bands from 143-857 GHz are coupled to both linear polarizations and thus measure the total intensity. In addition, eight detectors in each of four bands (100, 143, 217, and 353 GHz) couple only to a single linear polarization and thus provide measurements of the Stokes parameters, Q and U, as well as the total intensity. The measured noise equivalent power (NEP) of all detectors is at or below the background limit for the telescope and time constants are a few ms, short enough to resolve point sources as the 5 to 9 arc min beams move across the sky at 1 rpm

Quasi-phase-matched Faraday rotation in semiconductor waveguides with a magnetooptic cladding for monolithically integrated optical isolators

Strategies are developed for obtaining nonreciprocal polarization mode conversion, also known as Faraday rotation, in waveguides in a format consistent with silicon-on-insulator or III–V semiconductor photonic integrated circuits. Fabrication techniques are developed using liftoff lithography and sputtering to obtain garnet segments as upper claddings, which have an evanescent wave interaction with the guided light. A mode solver approach is used to determine the modal Stokes parameters for such structures, and design considerations indicate that quasi-phase-matched Faraday rotation for optical isolator applications could be obtained with devices on the millimeter length scale

Full-Scale Manipulation of the Empty Bed Contact Time to Optimize Dissolved Organic Matter Removal by Drinking Water Biofilters

A study was conducted at a water treatment plant to optimize parallel rapid gravity biofilters for dissolved organic matter (DOM) removal. The biofilters treat urban and agriculturally impacted river water using a commercial non-adsorptive, expanded-clay filter medium. The study aimed to locate the optimal operating conditions via experimental manipulation of the biofilter empty bed contact time (EBCT) during full-scale operation at the plant. During a two-month experiment, contact times in four parallel biofilters were switched to and maintained at 15, 30, 50, and 80 min by manipulating the hydraulic loading on each filter. The removal efficiency of organic matter fractions increased with EBCT for dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and microbial humic-like (F290/420) and protein-like (F280/340) fluorescent organic matter. Other DOM fractions were largely unaffected by biofiltration, or at slightly higher concentrations in the effluent. Protein-like fluorescence is associated with labile organic matter fractions, which are known to be removed poorly by drinking water treatment barriers apart from biological filters. The results suggest that long contact times (>30 min) have advantages for the operation of some biological filters, especially if placed ahead of barriers that are sensitive to biofouling, e.g., membranes