Retrieval of the ultraviolet aerosol optical depth during a spring campaign in the Bavarian Alps

A measurement campaign was organized in March 1999 in the Bavarian Alps as part of the European project, Characteristics of the UV Radiation Field in the Alps (CUVRA), to analyze the effect of altitude, aerosols, and snow cover on ground-level UV spectral irradiance. We present the results of simultaneous measurements of aerosol optical depth (AOD) made at various sites on two cloudless days in March 1999. The two days exhibited different aerosol conditions. Results derived from spectral measurements of UV irradiance are compared with data from filter radiometer measurements made at discrete wavelengths extending from the UV to the near IR. The different methods generated values for the AOD that were in good agreement. This result confirms that one can use either method to retrieve the AOD with an uncertainty of approximately 0.03-0.05. On 18 March, high turbidity was observed at low altitude (400-nm AOD approximately 0.5 at 700 m above sea level), and the AOD decreased regularly with altitude; on 24 March, the turbidity was much less (0.11 at 700 m above sea level). On both days very low AODs (0.05-0.09) were measured at 3000 m above sea level. The spectral dependence of the AOD is often parameterized by the angstrom relationship; the alpha parameter is generally difficult or impossible to retrieve from spectral measurements because of the relatively narrow wavelength range (320-400 nm), and only one of the spectro-radiometers used during the campaign permits this retrieval. In most cases, during this field campaign, alpha was found by filter sunphotometers to be 1.1-1.5.     

Toxic effects of Irgarol 1051 on phytoplankton and macrophytes in Lake Geneva

Irgarol 1051 is a recent herbicidal compound, inhibitor of photosynthesis, used in antifouling paints. This toxic is persistent in aquatic environments, with low abiotic and biotic degradation, highly phytotoxic, and has already been detected in estuaries and coastal areas, with suspected negative impacts on non-target organisms (aquatic plants and algae). We measured the toxicity of Irgarol 1051 to macrophytes and phytoplankton from Lake Geneva (between Switzerland and France) by determining chlorophyll fluorescence yield, and phytoplankton primary production. Long-term toxicity for phytoplankton was estimated in a microcosm study, and growth inhibition tests were performed with isolated algal strains. The concentration of Irgarol 1051 was analysed in the water, and the most polluted site showed a higher level (up to 135 ng/L) than the lowest observed effect concentration for phytoplankton (8-80 ng/L), while the macrophytes appeared to be more tolerant to Irgarol 1051 in short-term tests. The microcosm study showed that phytoplankton structure might be even more sensitive to Irgarol 1051.     

Development of an electromagnetic tool for the accurate synthesis of manifold multiplexers: The dynamic inverter

This article presents an electromagnetic tool for the synthesis of manifold multiplexers — the dynamic inverter. By associating this model with the classical circuit model of the filter, the broadband behaviour of each filter can be analysed rapidly and then optimised accurately for an efficient synthesis of the manifold multiplexer. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J RF and Microwave CAE, 2005.     

Multiple-pass cell for very-long-path infrared spectrometry

A multiple-pass cell for mid-IR spectrometry that has been designed to operate in an evacuable environmental chamber is described. Using this new modified White arrangement, we can significantly increase the path length while keeping the spectrometric beam stable. An approximate expression that ties the number of reflections to the optimal signal-to-noise ratio in multiple-reflection cells is derived.     

Application of evolution strategies for the solution of an inverse problem in near-field optics

We introduce an inversion procedure for the characterization of a nanostructure from near-field intensity data. The method proposed is based on heuristic arguments and makes use of evolution strategies for the solution of the inverse problem as a nonlinear constrained-optimization problem. By means of some examples we illustrate the performance of our inversion method. We also discuss its possibilities and potential applications.     

Near-field optical patterning and structuring based on local-field enhancement at the extremity of a metal tip

We present a particular approach and the associated results allowing the nanostructuration of a thin photosensitive polymer film. This approach based on a scanning near-field optical microscopy configuration uses the field-enhancement (FE) effect, a so-called lightning-rod effect appearing at the extremity of a metallic tip when illuminated with an incident light polarized along the tip axis. The local enhancement of the electromagnetic field straight below the tip's apex is observed directly through a photoisomerization reaction, inducing the growth of a topographical nanodot characterized in situ by atomic-force microscopy using the same probe. From a survey of the literature, we first review the different experimental approaches offered to nanostructure materials by near-field optical techniques. We describe more particularly the FE effect approach. An overview of the theoretical approach of this effect is then given before presenting some experimental results so as theoretical results using the finite-element method. These results show the influence on the nanostructuration of the polymer of a few experimental parameters such as the polarization state, the illumination mode and the tip's geometry. Finally, the potentiality of this technique for some applications in the field of lithography and high-density data storage is shown via the fabrication of nano-patterns.     

Biomechanical assessment of new hand-powered pruning shears

The aim of the study was to assess the biomechanical strains on the hand-wrist system during grapevine pruning with newly designed pruning shears. Surface electromyography of the finger flexor muscle and wrist postures were analyzed in four vineyard workers during actual work with the new and reference hand-powered pruning shears. Due to the large inter-individual differences in biomechanical data observed with both pruning shears, no systematic effect of the new pruning shears on "extreme" flexion/extension (F/E) and ulnar/radial (U/R) wrist deviations was demonstrated. However, the use of the new pruning shears was associated with a higher frequency of "neutral and moderate" U/R deviations (U/R < 20%(max)) and, to a lesser extent, of "neutral and moderate" F/E deviations (F/E < 20%(max)). Due to the small sample of workers, this result must be confirmed in a larger population of vineyard workers.     

Authentication in wireless networks: state of the art and integration with smart card

Wirelesslan have spread very quickly over the past few years. Demand for wireless access tolans has raised due to new mobile computing devices, such as laptops and personal digital assistants, and a desire for seamless and permanent connections to networks. Nevertheless a lot of security issues remain and stop its deployment in corporations. One of the most important issues is the authentication of a terminal to an Access Point. We propose an interface to integrate the Extensible Authentication Protocol into smart cards and will show that smart cards could constitute the de-facto device for authentication in Wirelesslan as they are forgsm and will be forumts (Universal Mobile Telecommunication System).