Half-open Penning trap with efficient light collection for precision laser spectroscopy of highly charged ions

We have conceived, built and operated a 'half-open' cylindrical Penning trap for the confinement and laser spectroscopy of highly charged ions. This trap allows fluorescence detection employing a solid angle which is about one order of magnitude larger than in conventional cylindrical Penning traps. At the same time, the desired electrostatic and magnetostatic properties of a closed-endcap cylindrical Penning trap are preserved in this congfiuration. We give a detailed account on the design and confinement properties, a characterization of the trap and show first results of light collection with in-trap produced highly charged ions

Switchable Magnetic Bottles and Field Gradients for Particle Traps

Versatile methods for the manipulation of individual quantum systems, such as confined particles, have become central elements in current developments in precision spectroscopy, frequency standards, quantum information processing, quantum simulation, and alike. For atomic and some subatomic particles, both neutral and charged, a precise control of magnetic fields is essen- tial. In this paper, we discuss possibilities for the creation of specific magnetic field configurations which find appli- cation in these areas. In particular, we pursue the idea of a magnetic bottle which can be switched on and off by transition between the normal and the superconducting phase of a suitable material in cryogenic environments, for example in trap experiments in moderate magnetic fields. Methods for a fine-tuning of the magnetic field and its linear and quadratic components in a trap are presented together with possible applications

Trapped Ion Oscillation Frequencies as Sensors for Spectroscopy

The oscillation frequencies of charged particles in a Penning trap can serve as sensors for spectroscopy when additional field components are introduced to the magnetic and electric fields used for confinement. The presence of so-called “magnetic bottles” and specific electric anharmonicities creates calculable energy-dependences of the oscillation frequencies in the radiofrequency domain which may be used to detect the absorption or emission of photons both in the microwave and optical frequency domains. The precise electronic measurement of these oscillation frequencies therefore represents an optical sensor for spectroscopy. We discuss possible applications for precision laser and microwave spectroscopy and their role in the determination of magnetic moments and excited state life-times. Also, the trap-assisted measurement of radiative nuclear de-excitations in the X-ray domain is discussed. This way, the different applications range over more than 12 orders of magnitude in the detectable photon energies, from below μeV in the microwave domain to beyond MeV in the X-ray domain

Anticipation in familial lattice corneal dystrophy type I with R124C mutation in the TGFBI (BIGH3) gene

Purpose: To report the clinical, ophthalmic, and genetic characteristics for lattice corneal dystrophy type I (LCDI) in a Chilean family. Methods: Six affected family members were examined clinically including visual acuity, color cornea photography, applanation tonography, and fundoscopy. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral leukocytes from six affected and three unaffected members of a family with lattice corneal dystrophy type I. Exon 4 of the transforming growth factorinduced gene (TGFBI) was screened for the most frequent mutation, R124C, in the proband by sequencing. We also designed a rapid polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method to analyze the same mutation, amplifying exon 4 and digesting with PstI restriction enzyme. Using this strategy, we analyzed the mutation in six affected and three healthy family members. Results: Three generations of family members were positively diagnosed with lattice corneal dystrophy. Six participants demonstrated LCD1 in both eyes, most of whom were symmetric. Age at onset of symptoms was variable (3–42 years old). Moreover, in this family, the age of onset of the disease decreased in succeeding generations, which could be interpreted as anticipation. Visual acuity varied from 1.0 to 0.13. Two patients, ages 69 and 44 years old, demonstrated a degree of severity “Bad” according to best-corrected vision and corneal commitment. The exon 4 sequence of TGFBI of the proband exhibits the heterozygous single-nucleotide mutation, C417T, leading to amino acid substitution (R124C) in the encoded TGF–induced protein. Using PCR-RFLP, we confirmed the heterozygous mutation in six affected family members and excluded it in three healthy members. Conclusions: The R124C mutation in TGFBI cosegregated with LCD type I in the investigated family. This is the first report of a molecular analysis of LCD type I in Chilean patients. The early onset affected persons in the fourth generation raises the possibility of anticipation.This research was supported by grant OAIC 203/06, Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile José Joaquín Aguirre, Santiago de Chile, Chile

Propagacion generativa y vegetativa y caracteristicas de floracion de Cananthera spp. y Calydorea xiphioides

Resumen (Spanish, English)67 p.Conanthera spp. y Calydorea xiphioides forman parte de la flora nativa chilena, y por su gran atractivo ornamental podrían ser explotadas comercialmente. Por esta razón, se hace imprescindible iniciar estudios de domesticación, comenzando por la propagación generativa y vegetativa de ellas. Con el propósito de conocer la respuesta germinativa de semillas de Conantheraspp. y Calydorea xiphioides, se evaluaron diferentes métodos germinativos tales como escarificación mecánica, prefrío (5°C por cinco días), lavado de semilla (flujo continuo de agua por dos días) en semillas de ocho meses en almacenamiento. Debido a la escasa respuesta germinativa en Conanthera spp.serealizó un segundo ensayo con semillas de once meses en almacenamiento, evaluando la aplicación de ácido giberélico en dosis de 1, 50, 100 y 150 ppm e inmersión en ácido sulfúrico por 5 y 10 minutos, y en semillas de dos semanas en almacenamiento, se evaluó solamente escarificación mecánica. El mayor porcentaje de germinación de Conanthera spp. correspondió a un 90%, que se obtuvo en semillas de dos semanas en almacenamiento y sin testa, la cual fue eliminada mecánicamente. Por otro lado, Calydorea xiphioides presentó una alta capacidad germinativa en semillas de ocho meses en almacenamiento, sin manifestar diferencias en los porcentajes de germinación en los métodos aplicados. En ambas especies, las semillas germinaron dentro de un periodo de dos meses y medio, cualquiera fuera el tratamiento aplicado. En la propagación vegetativa de Conanthera spp. se estudiaron los efectos de los diferentes tamaños del cormo; grande (>0,91 g), mediano (0,31 a 0,9 g) y pequeño (50,3 g), tratamientos de división (grandes divididos en dos y cuatro secciones verticales, y medianos dividido en dos secciones) y el periodo de almacenamiento de los cormos, sobre la capacidad multiplicativa, porcentaje y características de la floración. La mayor capacidad reproductiva se observó al plantar cormos grandes divididos en dos secciones sin almacenamiento (en receso) y el mayor porcentaje de floración (100%) se observó en cormos grandes enteros con brote, al momento de la plantación. En Calydorea xiphioides se evaluó el efecto de los diferentes tamaños del bulbo grande (>0,4 g) y pequeño (<0,4 g), tratamientos de división (bulbos grandes divididos en dos y cuatro secciones verticales, y bulbos pequeños divididos en dos secciones) y el período de almacenamiento de los bulbos, sobre la capacidad multiplicativa, porcentaje y características de la floración. La mayor capacidad de reproducción se observó al plantar bulbos grandes divididos en dos secciones sin almacenamiento. La floración sólo se desarrolló en unidades enteras con y sin almacenamiento, obteniéndose el mayor porcentaje en bulbos grandes enteros, floreciendoun533%delosindividuosplantado

Statistical forecasts for the occurrence of precipitation outperform global models over northern Tropical Africa

Short‐term global ensemble predictions of rainfall currently have no skill over northern tropical Africa when compared to simple climatology‐based forecasts, even after sophisticated statistical postprocessing. Here, we demonstrate that 1‐day statistical forecasts for the probability of precipitation occurrence based on a simple logistic regression model have considerable potential for improvement. The new approach we present here relies on gridded rainfall estimates from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission for July‐September 1998–2017 and uses rainfall amounts from the pixels that show the highest positive and negative correlations on the previous two days as input. Forecasts using this model are reliable and have a higher resolution and better skill than climatology‐based forecasts. The good performance is related to westward propagating African easterly waves and embedded mesoscale convective systems. The statistical model is outmatched by the postprocessed dynamical forecast in the dry outer tropics only, where extratropical influences are important.Plain Language Summary: Forecasts of precipitation for the next few days based on state‐of‐the‐art weather models are currently inaccurate over northern tropical Africa, even after systematic forecast errors are corrected statistically. In this paper, we show that we can use rainfall observations from the previous 2 days to improve 1‐day predictions of precipitation occurrence. Such an approach works well over this region, as rainfall systems tend to travel from the east to the west organized by flow patterns several kilometers above the ground, called African easterly waves. This statistical forecast model requires training over a longer time period (here 19 years) to establish robust relationships on which future predictions can be based. The input data employed are gridded rainfall estimates based on satellite data for the African summer monsoon in July to September. The new method outperforms all other methods currently available on a day‐to‐day basis over the region, except for the dry outer tropics, where influences from midlatitudes, which are better captured by weather models, become more important.Key Points: Raw and statistically postprocessed global ensemble forecasts fail to predict West African rainfall occurrence. A logistic regression model using observations from preceding days outperforms all other types of forecasts. The skill of the statistical model is mainly related to propagating African easterly waves and mesoscale convective systems.Deutsche ForschungsgemeinschaftKlaus Tschira Stiftun

A novel approach to the synthesis of N-substituted 1-C-aminomethyl glycofuranosides

Reductive amination of formyl C-glycofuranosides, easily available from hexose-derived equatorial-2-OH-glycopyranosides by DAST-promoted ring contraction, afforded N-substituted 1-C-aminomethyl glycofuranosides in most cases in high yield.European Commission, Directorate General for Science and Development FP6-508430Junta de Andalucía FQM14

Walter holding capacity of volcanic soils estimated by easily measured variables

Los suelos de la Región Andino Patagónica se desarrollan fundamentalmente a partir de cenizas y arenas volcánicas, lo que les otorga propiedades distintivas. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue generar modelos que permitan estimar las constantes hídricas [capacidad de campo (CC) y punto de marchitez permanente (PMP)] en suelos volcánicos, en función de variables de fácil determinación a campo: clase textural estimada al tacto y test de fluoruro de sodio (NaF), el cual permite estimar la presencia de aluminosilicatos no cristalinos. Los datos fueron analizados mediante modelos de regresión cuadrática, considerando la clase textural como variable ordinal independiente (x) y las constantes hídricas como variables dependientes. Se obtuvieron los siguientes modelos cuadráticos de regresión: Para suelos con reacción negativa al NaF (i.e., sin aluminosilicatos no cristalinos) (N = 132): CC = 47,18 – 4,09 * x + 0,13 * x2 (R2 = 0,52) PMP = 30,46 – 3,52 * x + 0,13 * x2 (R2 = 0,53) Para suelos con reacción positiva al NaF (i.e., con aluminosilicatos no cristalinos) (N = 211): CC = 35,50 + 1,26 * x – 0,23 * x2 (R2 = 0,25) PMP = 21,53 + 0,29 * x - 0,13 * x2 (R2 = 0,37) Siendo x el código ordinal de clase textural: 1 = arcilloso; 2 = arcillo limoso; 3 = franco arcillo limoso; 4 = arcillo arenoso; 5 = franco arcilloso; 6 = limoso; 7 = franco limoso; 8 = franco arcillo arenoso; 9 = franco; 10 = franco arenoso; 11 = areno franco; 12 = arenoso. Los modelos desarrollados presentaron un ajuste estadísticamente significativo, y tienen la practicidad de sólo necesitar datos de campo, fácilmente obtenibles.Soils in Patagonian Andean Region are developed mainly from volcanic ashes and they have distinct properties. We aimed to develop models in order to estimate Field capacity (FC) and Permanent Wilting Point (PWP) in volcanic soils, using easily measured variables: soil textural class and Fieldes test, which allows detecting non-crystalline aluminosilicates. Data were analyzed with second order regression models, considering textural class as ordinal independent variable (x) and FC and PWP as dependent variables. The following regression models were developed: For soils with negative Fieldes test (i.e., without non-crystalline aluminosilicates) (N = 132): FC = 47,18 – 4,09 * x + 0,13 * x2 (R2 = 0,52) PWP = 30,46 – 3,52 * x + 0,13 * x2 (R2 = 0,53) For soils with positive Fieldes test (i.e., with non-crystalline aluminosilicates) (N = 211): FC = 35,50 + 1,26 * x – 0,23 * x2 (R2 = 0,25) PWP = 21,53 + 0,29 * x - 0,13 * x2 (R2 = 0,37) x = code for textural class: 1 = clay; 2 = silty clay; 3 = silty clay loam; 4 = sandy clay; 5 = clay loam; 6 = silt; 7 = silt loam; 8 = sandy clay loam; 9 = loam; 10 = sandy loam; 11 = loamy sand; 12 = sand. These models showed significant fit, and are a useful tool based on readily available field data.Fil: la Manna, Ludmila Andrea. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Facultad de Ingeniería - Sede Esquel; ArgentinaFil: Tarabini, Manuela Mabel. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Facultad de Ingeniería - Sede Esquel; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Gómez, Federico Manuel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Facultad de Ingeniería - Sede Esquel; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria; ArgentinaFil: Noli, Pedro Agustin. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Facultad de Ciencias Naturales - Sede Esquel; ArgentinaFil: Vogel, Braian Emiliano. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Facultad de Ciencias Naturales - Sede Esquel; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Buduba, Carlos Guillermo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Facultad de Ciencias Naturales - Sede Esquel; Argentin