A Triggerless readout system for the ANDA electromagnetic calorimeter

One of the physics goals of the future ANDA experiment at FAIR is to research newly discovered exotic states. Because the detector response created by these particles is very similar to the background channels, a new type of data readout had to be developed, called "triggerless" readout. In this concept, each detector subsystem preprocesses the signal, so that in a later stage, high-level phyiscs constraints can be applied to select events of interest. A dedicated clock source using a protocol called SODANET over optical fibers ensures proper synchronisation between the components. For this new type of readout, a new way of simulating the detector response also needed to be developed, taking into account the effects of pile-up caused by the 20 MHz interaction rate.</p

Plant traits associated with resistance to Thrips tabaci in cabbage (Brassica oleracea var capitata)

Thrips tabaci is a major problem in the cultivation of cabbage for storage, as this pest causes symptoms that necessitate the removal of affected leaves from the product. Between cabbage varieties large differences in susceptibility occur. This study aimed to identify plant traits associated with these differences, in field experiments with natural infestation in 2005 and 2006. One factor affecting the amount of thrips damage was the timing of the development of the head. In an experiment with different planting dates especially the early maturing, more susceptible varieties were shown to benefit from later planting. In comparisons of multiple varieties in both years, regression studies showed that more advanced plant development in August and early September increased thrips damage at the final harvest. However, no single plant trait explained more than 25% (2005, Brix) or 48% (2006, compactness) of the variation in thrips damage. Optimal regression models, explaining up to 75% of the variation in thrips damage included Brix and leaf surface wax late in the season, as well as an indicator of plant development earlier in the season, and in 2005 also leaf thickness. The possible role of these plant traits in relation to thrips is discusse

Measuring recovery in deaf, hard-of-hearing, and tinnitus patients in a mental health care setting:validation of the I.ROC

This study was aimed at validating the Individual Recovery Outcomes Counter (I.ROC) for deaf, hard-of-hearing, and tinnitus patients in a mental health care setting. There is a need for an accessible instrument to monitor treatment effects in this population. The I.ROC measures recovery, seeing recovery as a process of experiencing a meaningful life, despite the limitations caused by illness or disability. A total of 84 adults referred to 2 specialist mental health centers for deaf, hard-of-hearing, and tinnitus adults in the Netherlands completed the Dutch version of I.ROC and 3 other instruments. A total of 25 patients refused or did not complete the instruments: 50% of patients using sign language and 18% of patients using spoken language. Participants completed the measures at intake and then every 3 months. In this sample I.ROC demonstrated good internal consistency and convergent validity. Sensitivity to change was good, especially over a period of 6 or 9 months. This study provides preliminary evidence that the I.ROC is a valid instrument measuring recovery for hard-of-hearing and tinnitus patients using spoken language. For deaf patients using sign language, specifically those with limited language skills in spoken and written Dutch, more research is needed.</p

Earliness, leaf surface wax and sugar content predict varietal differences for thrips damage in cabbage

When cabbage is cultivated for storage in the Netherlands, it is usually harvested around mid-October. This type of cabbage crop may be severely damaged by thrips (Thrips tabaci). The thrips population on the plants and the more severe symptoms develop mostly during September and October. Also during cold storage symptoms continue to develop. The damage caused by thrips is due to the symptoms that develop after feeding, which are small callus-like growths that will turn brownish after some time and which may cover substantial amounts of leaf area. Large differences exist between cabbage varieties in their susceptibility to thrips damage. It is not clear whether these differences are due to resistance (affecting the thrips population in the plant) or to tolerance (affecting the development of symptoms upon thrips feeding). Further, not much is known about plant traits affecting the resistance or tolerance to thrips. In order to guide selection and breeding for resistance to thrips, this study aimed to identify plant traits causing these differences. In the years 2005, 2006 and 2007 we performed field experiments with collections of varieties differing in a number of plant traits, with earliness varying from moderately late to very late. In the field experiments we relied upon natural infestation by thrips. Several times during the period August-October plants were harvested and assessed for the amount of thrips damage and the number of thrips, as well as for several morphological and physiological traits, including head circumference, leaf thickness, developmental stage, head compactness, leaf surface wax, and Brix value as an indication of the content of soluble sugars. One factor affecting the amount of thrips damage was the timing of the development of the head. Regression studies showed that more advanced plant development at the end of August increased thrips damage at the final harvest. Other plant traits affecting thrips damage were Brix and the amount of leaf surface wax. However no single plant trait explained more than 45% of the variation in thrips damage at the final harvest. Optimal regression models, explaining up to 75% of the variation in thrips damage included Brix and leaf surface wax late in the season, as well as an indicator of plant development earlier in the season, and in 2005 also leaf thickness. The possible role of these plant traits in relation to thrips is discussed

A Triggerless readout system for the ANDA electromagnetic calorimeter

One of the physics goals of the future ANDA experiment at FAIR is to research newly discovered exotic states. Because the detector response created by these particles is very similar to the background channels, a new type of data readout had to be developed, called "triggerless" readout. In this concept, each detector subsystem preprocesses the signal, so that in a later stage, high-level phyiscs constraints can be applied to select events of interest. A dedicated clock source using a protocol called SODANET over optical fibers ensures proper synchronisation between the components. For this new type of readout, a new way of simulating the detector response also needed to be developed, taking into account the effects of pile-up caused by the 20 MHz interaction rate

Participatory plant breeding: a way to arrive at better-adapted onion varieties

The search for varieties that are better adapted to organic farming is a current topic in the organic sector. Breeding programmes specific for organic agriculture should solve this problem. Collaborating with organic farmers in such programmes, particularly in the selection process, can potentially result in varieties better adapted to their needs. Here, we assume that organic farmers' perceptive of plant health is broader than that of conventional breeders. Two organic onion farmers and one conventional onion breeder were monitored in their selection activities in 2004 and 2005 in order to verify whether and in which way this broader view on plant health contributes to improvement of organic varieties. They made selections by positive mass selection in three segregating populations under organic conditions. The monitoring showed that the organic farmers selected in the field for earliness and downy mildew and after storage for bulb characteristics. The conventional breeder selected only after storage. Farmers and breeder applied identical selection directions for bulb traits as a round shape, better hardness and skin firmness. This resulted in smaller bulbs in the breeders’ populations, while the bulbs in the farmer populations were bigger than in the original population. In 2006 and 2007 the new onion populations will be compared with each other and the original populations to determine the selection response

Observation of the Singly Cabibbo-Suppressed Decay D+ -&gt; omega pi(+) and Evidence for D-0 -&gt; omega pi(0)

Based on 2.93 fb(-1) e(+)e(-) collision data taken at center-of-mass energy of 3.773 GeV by the BESIII detector, we report searches for the singly Cabibbo-suppressed decays D+ -> omega pi(+) and D-0 -> omega pi(0). A double tag technique is used to measure the absolute branching fractions B(D+ -> omega pi(+)) = (2.79 +/- 0.57 +/- 0.16) x 10(-4) and B(D-0 +/- omega pi(0)) = (1.17 +/- 0.34 +/- 0.07) x 10(-4), with statistical significances of 5.5 sigma and 4.1 sigma, where the first and second uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively

Observation of psi (3686) -&gt; n(n)over-bar and improved measurement of psi (3686) -&gt; p(p)over-bar

We observe the decay psi (3686) -> n (n) over bar for the first time and measure psi (3686) -> p (p) over bar with improved accuracy by using 1.07 x 10(8) psi (3686) events collected with the BESIII detector. The measured branching fractions are B(psi(3686) -> n (n) over bar) = (3.06 +/- 0.06 +/- 0.14) x 10(-4) and B(psi(3686) -> p (p) over bar) = (3.05 +/- 0.02 +/- 0.12) x 10(-4). Here, the first uncertainties are statistical, and the second ones are systematic. With the hypothesis that the polar angular distributions of the neutron and proton in the center-of-mass system obey 1 + alpha cos(2) theta, we determine the a parameters to be alpha(n (n) over bar) = 0.68 +/- 0.12 +/- 0.11 and alpha(p (p) over bar) = 1.03 +/- 0.06 +/- 0.03 for psi(3686) -> n (n) over bar and psi(3686) -> p (p) over bar, respectively

BIO-IMPULS: innovatie in de biologische aardappelketen

In 2008 is het project BIO-IMPULS gestart om de biologische aardappelteelt in Nederland te verbeteren. BIO-IMPULS richt zich op innovaties in de gehele aardappelketen, van veredeling, teeltoptimalisatie (gewasbescherming, teeltvervroeging, bemesting, oogst en bewaring) en de markintroductie van nieuwe rassen en producten tot voorlichting en kennisoverdrach