QCD Corrections to Hadronic Z and tau Decays

We present a brief (mainly bibliographical) report on recently performed calculations of terms of order O(\alpha_s^4 n_f^2) and O(\alpha_s^4 n_f^2 m_q^2) for hadronic Z and \tau decay rates. A few details about the analytical evaluation of the masters integrals appearing in the course of calculations are presented.Comment: revised version (some references corrected); 3 pages, talk given at International Europhysics Conference on High Energy Physics, Aachen, Germany, 17-23 July 200

Ultrafast spatio-temporal dynamics of terahertz generation by ionizing two-color femtosecond pulses in gases

We present a combined theoretical and experimental study of spatio-temporal propagation effects in terahertz (THz) generation in gases using two-color ionizing laser pulses. The observed strong broadening of the THz spectra with increasing gas pressure reveals the prominent role of spatio-temporal reshaping and of a plasma-induced blue-shift of the pump pulses in the generation process. Results obtained from (3+1)-dimensional simulations are in good agreement with experimental findings and clarify the mechanisms responsible for THz emission

Planning a Central Sewer System for Rural Areas

Rural areas may need planning assistance more than other areas. Population increases in non-metropolitan areas in the 1970s are more than offsetting the decreases of the previous decade. As population densities increase in these rural areas, community leaders must investigate alternatives to the individual septic tank and absorption field.Reviewed October 1993.Includes bibliographical reference

Planning a Rural Fire Protection Service

Fire remains one of the major problems of this country and causes more loss of life and property than all natural disasters combined. Small towns and rural areas reported a greater frequency of fires with higher death rates and dollar losses per capita than larger cities and metropolitan areas. As more people move into small towns and rural areas, provision of adequate fire protection services becomes even more important. The following information can assist local decision makers in planning new or additional fire services.Reviewed October 1993