Simple autocollimation laser refractometer with highly sensitive, fiber-optic output

A simple autocollimation scheme for a laser refractometer with a highly sensitive, single-mode, fiber-optic output is described. It allows for the determination of the refractive index and dispersion of optical materials with an accuracy exceeding 10(-5), which is confirmed by both experimental and analytical investigations.     

Electronic speckle interferometry, phase-mapping, and nondestructive testing techniques applied to real-time, thermal loading

A digital phase-mapping method has been developed for application in real-time electronic speckle interferometry studies. Its principles and application to a continuously deforming object are described. An efficient digital image-processing algorithm has been developed that permits quantitative interpretation of the resulting phase maps.     

Ultraviolet-visible spectrograph optics: ODIN project

We describe one of the possible designs for the UV-visible spectrograph optics to be employed in the ODIN project. The spectrograph will be used in a future satellite mission for aeronomy observations and will image a column of atmosphere just above the Earth's surface onto a two-dimensional CCD array with the spatial and spectral content aligned orthogonal to one another.     

Microbiological survey of a South African poultry processing plant

Bacterial populations associated with poultry processing were determined on neck skin samples, equipment surfaces and environmental samples by replicate surveys. Aerobic plate counts, Enterobacteriaceae counts, Enterobacteriaceae counts and Pseudomonas counts were performed by standard procedures and the prevalence of Listeria, presumptive Salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus determined. Statistically significant (P < 0.05) increases in counts of all types of bacteria were obtained on product samples as a result of processing. Although bacterial counts on neck skin samples decreased by 0.3 to 0.4 log CFU g-1 after spray washing of carcasses, subsequent spinchilling and packaging of whole carcasses resulted in 0.7 to 1.2 log CFU g-1 increases. Bacterial numbers on equipment surfaces, however, decreased significantly from the "dirty" to the "clean" areas of the abattoir. Transport cages, "rubber fingers", defeathering curtains, shackles and conveyor belts repeatedly showed aerobic plate counts in excess of 5.0 log CFU 25 cm-2. Aerobic plate counts of scald tank and spinchiller water were 2 log CFU ml-1 higher than those of potable water samples. Bacterial numbers of the air in the "dirty" area were higher than those of the "clean" area. Listeria, presumptive Salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus were isolated from 27.6, 51.7 and 24.1% of all product samples, respectively, and Listeria and Staphylococcus aureus were also isolated from selected equipment surfaces.     

Professional groups with a close irradiation dose distribution

RMAPO. O. G. Pol'skii, A. I. Sobolev, and L. F. Verbova. Moscow Scientific and Industrial Association "Radon". Translated from Atomnaya énergiya, Vol. 79, No. 2, pp. 145–152, August, 1995.