Emission Optics of the Steigerwald Type Electron Gun

The emission optics of a Steigerwald type electron gun is re-examined. The virtual and real points of divergence, divergence angles and beam-widths of the electron beams at different telefocusing strength are measured in detail for first time . Two different Wehnelt cylinders are used to establish a contrasting viewpoint. The original `focusing' curves measured by Braucks are reconstructed and will be explained only through a `new' interpretation which is different from the conventional views. While the image of the emitting surface in front of the filament is indeed telefocused beyond the anode, the envelope of the beam does not `focus' as expected. A new model for the emission mechanism is established based on our results.Comment: 14 pages, 10 figure

Highly tunable low-threshold optical parametric oscillation in radially poled whispering gallery resonators

Whispering gallery resonators (WGR's), based on total internal reflection, possess high quality factors in a broad spectral range. Thus, nonlinear optical processes in such cavities are ideally suited for the generation of broadband or tunable electromagnetic radiation. Experimentally and theoretically, we investigate the tunability of optical parametric oscillation in a radially structured WGR made of lithium niobate. With a 1.04 /mum pump wave, the signal and idler waves are tuned from 1.78 to 2.5 \mum - including the point of degeneracy - by varying the temperature between 20 and 62 {\deg}C. A weak off-centering of the radial domain structure extends considerably the tuning capabilities. The oscillation threshold lies in the mW-power range.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figure

C-Terminal truncation of NR2A subunits impairs synaptic but not extrasynaptic localization of NMDA receptors

NMDA receptors interact via the extended intracellular C-terminal domain of the NR2 subunits with constituents of the postsynaptic density for purposes of retention, clustering, and functional regulation at central excitatory synapses. To examine the role of the C-terminal domain of NR2A in the synaptic localization and function of NR2A-containing NMDA receptors in hippocampal Schaffer collateral–CA1 pyramidal cell synapses, we analyzed mice which express NR2A only in its C-terminally truncated form. In CA1 cell somata, the levels, activation, and deactivation kinetics of extrasynaptic NMDA receptor channels were comparable in wild-type and mutant NR2A^(ΔC/ΔC) mice. At CA1 cell synapses, however, the truncated receptors were less concentrated than their full-length counterparts, as indicated by immunodetection in cultured neurons, synaptosomes, and postsynaptic densities. In the mutant, the NMDA component of evoked EPSCs was reduced in a developmentally progressing manner and was even more reduced in miniature EPSCs (mEPSCs) elicited by spontaneous glutamate release. Moreover, pharmacologically isolated NMDA currents evoked by synaptic stimulation had longer latencies and displayed slower rise and decay times, even in the presence of an NR2B-specific antagonist. These data strongly suggest that the C-terminal domain of NR2A subunits is important for the precise synaptic arrangement of NMDA receptors

An Evaluation Of Provision In A School Designated As Catering For Pupils Categorised As Having 'Emotional And Behavioural Difficulties' In The Light Of The Perspectives And Expectations Of Its Various Stakeholders

Line End is an 11-16 day school for pupils categorised as having emotional and behavioural difficulties (EBD). It is maintained by Farside Local Education Authority, and provides secondary education for pupils who are statemented as having emotional and behavioural difficulties. Some have additional learning difficulties, this assessment being based on reading ages that are considerably lower than their chronological ages, and scores in KS2 SATs that are below National averages. All referrals come through the local authority’s special educational needs department; invariably, the pupils who are placed at Line End either transfer from the EBD primary unit, or are those who have been excluded from mainstream secondary schools within the borough. The aim of the study is to establish the extent to which Line End is felt to be effective by its various stakeholders; and in establishing this position, it is first important to elicit the criteria by which the various stakeholders judge the school to be effective. The first phase of the study, therefore, is aimed at eliciting these stakeholder criteria, whilst the second phase focuses on the extent to which the school is perceived to be effective in its various areas of provision, based on these very criteria. A subsequent analysis of findings seeks to examine stakeholder perspectives, and the extent to which there is congruence and/or divergence of perspective amongst and between stakeholders might create conflict or tensions between and amongst stakeholders. Findings from the first phase of the study suggest that there is broad agreement amongst stakeholders about what should constitute effective provision for Line End pupils: addressing both academic and emotional/behavioural needs effectively, providing a safe and positive environment in which to make such provision, and providing opportunities for the reintegration of pupils to mainstream where appropriate and practicable. These three areas reflect the three major aims of the school as outlined in the staff handbook, and alongside these as key indicators of quality, stakeholders included relationships between home and school, and the management/organisation of the school -the extent to which it was strategically or ‘crisis’ managed. Findings from the second phase of the research suggested that the school was perceived to be effective by virtually all of its stakeholders - in some areas for some of the time. There were differences of perspective within stakeholder groups, and sometimes differences of emphasis between stakeholder groups. These differences did not necessarily lead to tension, as it was possible for differing perspectives to co-exist; the tensions became evident when perspectives conflicted rather than co-existed, as the group or individual who held the greatest power would invariably have its way in translating its perspective into policy and practic

Does the food ingredient pectin provide a risk for patients allergic to non-specific lipid-transfer proteins?

Pectin, a dietary fiber, is a polysaccharide that is widely used in food industry as a gelling agent. In addition, prebiotic and beneficial immunomodulatory effects of pectin have been demonstrated, leading to increased importance as food supplement. However, as cases of anaphylactic reactions after consumption of pectin-supplemented foods have been reported, the present study aims to evaluate the allergy risk of pectin. This is of particular importance since most of the pectin used in the food industry is extracted from citrus or apple pomace. Both contain several allergens such as non-specific lipid transfer proteins (nsLTPs), known to induce severe allergic reactions, which could impair the use of pectins in nsLTP allergic patients. Therefore, the present study for the first time was performed to analyze residual nsLTP content in two commercial pectins using different detection methods. Results showed the analytical sensitivity was diminished by the pectin structure. Finally, spiking of pectin with allergenic peach nsLTP Pru p 3 led to the conclusion that the potential residual allergen content in both pectins is below the threshold to induce anaphylactic reactions in nsLTP-allergic patients. This data suggests that consumption of the investigated commercial pectin products provides no risk for inducing severe reactions in nsLTP-allergic patients

Unique Electron Polarimeter Analyzing Power Comparison and Precision Spin-Based Energy Measurement

Precision measurements of the relative analyzing powers of five electron beam polarimeters, based on Compton, Moller, and Mott scattering, have been performed using the CEBAF accelerator at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility ( Jefferson Laboratory). A Wien filter in the 100 keV beam line of the injector was used to vary the electron spin orientation exiting the injector. High statistical precision measurements of the scattering asymmetry as a function of the spin orientation were made with each polarimeter. Since each polarimeter receives beam with the same magnitude of polarization, these asymmetry measurements permit a high statistical precision comparison of the relative analyzing powers of the five polarimeters. This is the first time a precise comparison of the analyzing powers of Compton, Moller, and Mott scattering polarimeters has been made. Statistically significant disagreements among the values of the beam polarization calculated from the asymmetry measurements made with each polarimeter reveal either errors in the values of the analyzing power or failure to correctly include all systematic effects. The measurements reported here represent a first step toward understanding the systematic effects of these electron polarimeters. Such studies are necessary to realize high absolute accuracy (ca. 1%) electron polarization measurements, as required for some parity violation measurements planned at Jefferson Laboratory. Finally, a comparison of the value of the spin orientation exiting the injector that provides maximum longitudinal polarization in each experimental hall leads to an independent and very precise ( better than 10-4) absolute measurement of the final electron beam energy

Synthesis of CdS and CdSe nanocrystallites using a novel single-molecule precursors approach

The synthesis of CdS and CdSe nanocrystallites using the thermolysis of several dithioor diselenocarbamato complexes of cadmium in trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO) is reported. The nanodispersed materials obtained show quantum size effects in their optical spectra and exhibit near band-edge luminescence. The influence of experimental parameters on the properties of the nanocrystallites is discussed. HRTEM images of these materials show well-defined, crystalline nanosized particles. Standard size fractionation procedures can be performed in order to narrow the size dispersion of the samples. The TOPO-capped CdS and CdSe nanocrystallites and simple organic bridging ligands, such as 2,2¢-bipyrimidine, are used as the starting materials for the preparation of novel nanocomposites. The optical properties shown by these new nanocomposites are compared with those of the starting nanodispersed materials

First results of undersea muography with the Tokyo-Bay Seafloor Hyper-Kilometric Submarine Deep Detector

Tidal measurements are of great significance since they may provide us with essential data to apply towards protection of coastal communities and sea traffic. Currently, tide gauge stations and laser altimetry are commonly used for these measurements. On the other hand, muography sensors can be located underneath the seafloor inside an undersea tunnel where electric and telecommunication infrastructures are more readily available. In this work, the world’s first under-seafloor particle detector array called the Tokyo-bay Seafloor Hyper-Kilometric Submarine Deep Detector (TS-HKMSDD) was deployed underneath the Tokyo-Bay seafloor for conducting submarine muography. The resultant 80-day consecutive time-sequential muographic data were converted to the tidal levels based on the parameters determined from the first-day astronomical tide height (ATH) data. The standard deviation between ATH and muographic results for the rest of a 79-day measurement period was 12.85 cm. We anticipate that if the length of the TS-HKMSDD is extended from 100 m to a full-scale as large as 9.6 km to provide continuous tidal information along the tunnel, this muography application will become an established standard, demonstrating its effectiveness as practical tide monitor for this heavy traffic waterway in Tokyo and in other important sea traffic areas worldwide