VME Readout at and Below the Conversion Time Limit

The achievable acquisition rates of modern triggered nuclear physics experiments are heavily dependent on the readout software, in addition to the limits given by the utilized hardware. This paper presents an asynchronous readout scheme that significantly improves the livetime of an otherwise synchronous triggered Versa Module Eurocard Bus-based data acquisition system. A detailed performance analysis of this and other readout schemes, in terms of the basic data transfer operations, is described. The performance of the newly developed scheme as well as synchronous schemes on two systems has been measured. The measurements show excellent agreement with the detailed description. For the second system, which previously used a synchronous readout, the deadtime ratio is at a 20-kHz trigger request frequency reduced by 30% compared to the nearest contender, allowing 10% more events to be recorded in the same time. The interaction between the network and readout tasks for single-core processors is also investigated. A livetime ratio loss of a few percents can be observed, depending on the size of the data chunks given to the operating system kernel for network transfer. With appropriately chosen chunk size, the effect can be mitigated

Characterizing host-pathogen interactions between Zostera marina and Labyrinthula zosterae

Introduction Seagrass meadows serve as an integral component of coastal ecosystems but are declining rapidly due to numerous anthropogenic stressors including climate change. Eelgrass wasting disease, caused by opportunistic Labyrinthula spp., is an increasing concern with rising seawater temperature. To better understand the host-pathogen interaction, we paired whole organism physiological assays with dual transcriptomic analysis of the infected host and parasite. Methods Eelgrass (Zostera marina) shoots were placed in one of two temperature treatments, 11° C or 18° C, acclimated for 10 days, and exposed to a waterborne inoculation containing infectious Labyrinthula zosterae (Lz) or sterile seawater. At two- and five-days post-exposure, pathogen load, visible disease signs, whole leaf phenolic content, and both host- and pathogen- transcriptomes were characterized. Results Two days after exposure, more than 90% of plants had visible lesions and Lz DNA was detectable in 100% percent of sampled plants in the Lz exposed treatment. Concentrations of total phenolic compounds were lower after 5 days of combined exposure to warmer temperatures and Lz, but were unaffected in other treatments. Concentrations of condensed tannins were not affected by Lz or temperature, and did not change over time. Analysis of the eelgrass transcriptome revealed 540 differentially expressed genes in response to Lz exposure, but not temperature. Lz-exposed plants had gene expression patterns consistent with increased defense responses through altered regulation of phytohormone biosynthesis, stress response, and immune function pathways. Analysis of the pathogen transcriptome revealed up-regulation of genes potentially involved in breakdown of host defense, chemotaxis, phagocytosis, and metabolism. Discussion The lack of a significant temperature signal was unexpected but suggests a more pronounced physiological response to Lz infection as compared to temperature. Pre-acclimation of eelgrass plants to the temperature treatments may have contributed to the limited physiological responses to temperature. Collectively, these data characterize a widespread physiological response to pathogen attack and demonstrate the value of paired transcriptomics to understand infections in a host-pathogen system

Large area processes for 3D shaped electronics

Conformable electronic systems consisting of laterally distributed electronic components (typically sensors, actuators or LEDs) have attracted considerable interest during the last years. By using different technology approaches considerable elasticity, repeated stretchability and conformability of such systems has been shown by research groups. Contrary to the expression of interest by many potential industrial manufactures of stretchable electronics, the adaptation of related technologies into fabrication environments is lagging. Among the reasons for the reluctance with respect to industrialization are concerns with respect to material used in deformable electronics (silicones), reliability issues (repeated stretchability), and (initial) cost. In this paper an approach for “single cycle deformable” - electronic systems and some of its application scenarios will be presented. Based on a previously developed technology for stretchable electronics using thermoplastic polyurethane as the matrix material, an approach for three dimensionally shaped electronic systems was developed. In order to fabricate a stable self-supported structure the stretchable system is attached to a thermoplastic polymer sheet (typically polycarbonate) with a thickness between 200 and 800 μm prior to being 3D-deformed by thermo-forming. Potential applications are any kind of products (consumer electronics, automotive, household appliances), where a need to integrate sensors and actuators into ergonomically or aesthetically 3D-shaped surfaces is identified. The fabrication of deformable electronics is a process fully compatible with a typical printed circuit board manufacturing and electronics assembly line. Also the used materials are well compliant with wet-chemical processes used during the processing. Rather complex electronic systems with a number of components like distributed sensors or actuators can be assembled in a conventional way on a flat electronic panel. The low temperature solder SnBi is used for the electronics assembly. Mounted components are typically fixed additionally by an underfiller, so that during the thermoforming process when the solder eventually melts components are not released from the contact pads. The stretchable electronics is subsequently fixed to a stiff thermoplasitc support sheet prior to being 3D-deformed by a thermoforming process

Embedding of active components in multilayer flex boards

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Data from: Ecological intensification and arbuscular mycorrhizas: a meta-analysis of tillage and cover crop effects

1. Reliance on ecosystem services instead of synthetic, non-renewable inputs is increasingly seen as key to achieving food security in an environmentally sustainable way. This process, known as ecological intensification, will depend in large part on enhancing below-ground biological interactions that facilitate resource use efficiency. Arbuscular mycorrhizas (AM), associations formed between the roots of most terrestrial plant species and a specialized group of soil fungi, provide valuable ecosystem services, but the full magnitude of these services may not be fully realized under conventional intensively-managed annual agricultural systems. 2. Here we use meta-analysis to assess how reducing soil disturbance and periods without roots in agricultural systems affects the formation of AM and the diversity and community composition of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). We compiled data from 54 field studies across five continents that measured effects of tillage and/or cover cropping on AMF colonization and/or communities and assessed effects of management and environmental factors on these responses. 3. Less intensive tillage and winter cover cropping similarly increased AMF colonization of summer annual cash crop roots by ~30%. The key variables influencing the change in AMF colonization were the type of cover crop or the type of alternative tillage, suggesting that farmers can optimize combinations of tillage and cover crops that most enhance AM formation, particularly with no-till systems and legume cover crops. 4. Richness of AMF taxa increased by 11% in low-intensity vs. conventional tillage regimes. Several studies showed changes in diversity and community composition of AMF with cover cropping, but these responses were not consistent. 5. Synthesis and applications. This meta-analysis indicates that less intensive tillage and cover cropping are both viable strategies for enhancing root colonization from indigenous arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) across a wide range of soil types and cash crop species, and possibly also shifting AMF community structure, which could in turn increase biologically-based resource use in agricultural systems