Active synchronization and carrier phase locking of two separate mode-locked femtosecond lasers

Two independent mode-locked femtosecond lasers are synchronized to an unprecedented precision. The rms timing jitter between the lasers is 4.3 fs observed within a 160 Hz bandwidth over tens of seconds, or 26 fs within a 50 kHz bandwidth. Novel multi-stage phase-locked loops help to preserve this ultrahigh timing resolution while setting on arbitrary delay between the two pulse trains (0–5 ns). Under such synchronization, phase locking between the carrier frequencies of the two femtosecond lasers has been achieved. It is also demonstrated that the same level of synchronization can be achieved with two lasers at different repetition frequencies.     

Ozone Storage Effects on Anthocyanin Content and Fungal Growth in Blackberries

Ozone exposure was assessed for storage of thornless blackberries which are prone to fungal decay. Blackberries were harvested and stored for 12 days at 2°C in 0.0, 0.1, and 0.3 ppm ozone. Berries were evaluated for fungal decay, anthocyanins, color and peroxidase (POD) activity. Ozone storage suppressed fungal development for 12 days, while 20% of control fruits showed decay. The main mold was Botrytis cinerea. Ozone storage did not cause observable injury or defects. By 12 days, anthocyanin content of juice was similar to initial levels for all treatments. Surface color was better retained in 0.1 and 0.3 ppm-stored berries by 5 days and in 0.3 ppm berries by 12 days, by hue angle values. POD was greater in controls and 0.1 ppm samples, and was lowest in 0.3 ppm fruits by 12 days. Ozone storage resulted in market quality extension.     

Hematological Status of Rats Fed Oxidized Beef Lipids

Hemoglobin, hematocrit, total iron binding capacity, and erythrocyte thiobarbituric acid (TBA) numbers were measured in blood from rats given a diet containing 52.7% cooked ground beef which was fed as freshly cooked beef (control), or after refrigerated storage (5°C) for 1, 3 or 8 days. Rats were maintained on the experimental diets for 6 wk. As the level of oxidation increased in the meat, erythrocyte TBA numbers also increased and were significantly different among groups. There was a drop in the erythrocyte TBA numbers for rats consuming beef stored for 8 days, suggesting that a level of rancidity was reached that was adequate to induce synthesis of enzymes that metabolize free radicals such as catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase.     

Time-Intensity Evaluation of Sweetness and Fruitiness and Their Interaction in a Model Solution

Sweetness and fruitness were evaluated by time-intensity (TI) procedures in solutions varying in concentrations of glucose and peach essence at two temperatures. Of the eleven TI parameters quatified to characterize the TI curves, ten parameters varied significantly across samples for sweetness, whereas only seven varied significantly for fruitiness. Maximum sweetness intensity increased as glucose or peach essence concentration or solution temperature was raised. In contrast, maximum fruitiness intensity increased only with an increase in peach flavor concentration. Although the total persistence of aftertaste did not differ significantly between the two attributes, the mean time to maximum intensity for sweetness (6.6 sec) was 3.8 sec shorter than that found for fruitiness.     

SUPERCRITICAL CARBON DIOXIDE PERCOLATION OF SEA BUCKTHORN PRESS JUICE1

Sea buckthorn press juice was subjected to percolation with supercritical carbon dioxide at 13.8 and 27.6 MPa. Control juice was not percolated. Percolation extracted about 81 % of the oil present in the press juice, lightened the orange color compared with the control juice, and changed the character of the juice as perceived by observers. Percolated juices had no visible particulate that adhered to glass surfaces as did the control juice. All juices were perceived by taste panelists as to be very sour, and it was decided to sweeten the juices with 10% sucrose before proceeding with sensory evaluations. Control juice was more yellow and thicker in consistency than the percolated juices which did not differ from each other. Juices prepared by 27.6 MPa percolation were more frequently reported as having citrus and peach‐like quality attributes compared with either of the other two juices. Analytical values for protein, oil, moisture, titratable acidity and pH were reported for the juices. Light microscopy indicated a lower oil content in the percolated juices and that the particle sizes were smaller in the percolated juices. Some morphological characteristics of the particles in both juice types are described.     

PARTICLES AS DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEMS

ABSTRACT

Advances in genetically engineered products present an entirely new spectrum of drugs to the medical community. With these exciting new drugs come complex challenges for their delivery. The compounds are often high molecular weight proteins, many with extremely short in vivo half lives. The challenge is to deliver these new drugs to the body at a controlled rate. The rate can be uniform or programmed to a specific regimen, with time frames from hours to months. An additional challenge is posed by drugs that are highly toxic. If the drug were to home in directly on the site of action, systemic damage could be minimized. Drug loaded particles, (emulsions, liposomes or microcapsules), are being developed for both controlled and targeted drug delivery.     

A research note on the occurrence of 'star' flowers in grapevines: Observations during the 2003–2004 growing season

In 2003 star flowers were observed on three different grape varieties in the Coombe Vineyard at the University of Adelaide's Waite Campus. The earliest star flowers on Canada Muscat, and those on Gamay (which were also associated with stunted shoots), most closely resembled the structure of star flowers as described by previous authors. Later in the season, despite opening in star formation, the organs of the star flowers were normal. Star flowers may take different forms, which in turn hold implications for their comparative ability to set fruit. In contrast to previously published reports, the subsequent occurrence of normal flowers on a double-pruned Canada Muscat vine demonstrated that star flowers are not necessarily expressed during each and every generation of flowers. Occurrence of star flowers probably results from a genotype × environment × time interaction rather than a developmental aberration that is expressed during each and every generation of flowers.