Application, design, and evolution of DWDM in Pan-European Transport Networks

This article is a follow-up to our March 2000 article, "Application, design, and evolution of WDM in GTS's pan-European transport network" (Struyve et al. 2000). Since then, many events have led toward dismantling the GTS pan-European transport network. In this article we choose to reiterate the main statements of our previous article that are still valid today, and give a general overview of the current status and possible evolution trends of DWDM-based transport networks.     

Effect of farm type on within-herd Salmonella prevalence, serovar distribution, and antimicrobial resistance

Salmonella represents a major challenge to the pig industry, as pork presents a risk for human salmonellosis. In this study, we have examined the effect of farm type on the prevalence of fattening pigs shedding Salmonella on 12 farms at risk for harboring Salmonella. On six open (grow-to-finish) and six closed (farrow-to-finish) farms, the prevalence of pigs shedding Salmonella was determined on two occasions approximately 2 months apart. The serovar, phage type, and antimicrobial resistance of the obtained Salmonella isolates were determined. On all farms, pigs shedding Salmonella were detected on at least one of the two sampling days. The mean within-herd prevalence was 7.8%. Closed farms were two times less likely to have pigs shedding Salmonella than open farms. On open farms, the odds of finding Salmonella shedding in pigs were 1.9 times higher when sampling was performed at slaughter age than when samples were taken halfway through the fattening period. Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium was the most predominant serotype, with a prevalence of 62 to 63% on both farm types. Of all the Salmonella Typhimurium isolates, 65% had the tetraresistant profile ASSuT (ampicillin, streptomycin, sulfonamide, and tetracycline) with or without additional resistance to trimethoprim-sulfonamide. Phage type DT120 seemed to be especially associated with this antimicrobial-resistant profile. The prevalence of Salmonella Typhimurium isolates showing resistance to ampicillin, streptomycin, tetracycline, sulfonamide, trimethoprim-sulfonamide, and lincomycin hydrochloride and spectinomycin sulfate tetrahydrate was significantly higher on open farms than on closed farms.     

Planning of WDM Ring Networks

The rapid introduction of wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) technology to cope with the increased bandwidth requirements of transmission networks has intensified the need for recovery mechanisms at the optical layer. A first step towards survivable optical networking will be seen through the introduction of optical rings. This paper presents different types of optical rings (dedicated and shared protection WDM rings) and the planning issues associated with these WDM rings. In particular, we give mathematical models as well as solution methods for the ring loading and wavelength assignment problem. We compare the wavelength requirement of dedicated and shared protection rings under scenarios with different demand patterns. We also discuss the influence of the WDM equipment cost, and present a mathematical model for the optimization of hybrid networks with both dedicated and shared protection rings.     

Validation of the ORA spatial inversion algorithm with respect to the Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment II data

We present the results of a comparison of the total extinction altitude profiles measured at the same time and at same location by the ORA (Occultation Radiometer) and Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment II solar occultation experiments at three different wavelengths. A series of 25 events for which the grazing points of both experiments lie within a 2 degrees window has been analyzed. The mean relative differences observed over the altitude range 15-45 km are -8.4%, 1.6%, and 3% for the three channels (0.385, 0.6, and 1.02 mum). Some systematic degradation occurs below 20 km (as the result of signal saturation and possible cloud interference) and above 40 km (low absorption). The fair general agreement between the extinction profiles obtained by two different instruments enhances our confidence in the results of the ORA experiment and of the recently developed vertical inversion algorithm applied to real data.     

Liquid helium cryopump and reliable opening device for a balloon-borne mass spectrometer

The design, technical characteristics, and test and flight results of a liquid helium cryopump and an opening device operating on board a balloon-borne mass spectrometer combining a cryopump and a quadrupole mass filter are reported. The gas inlet of this mass spectrometer is opened through a simple and reliable remote-controlled system, which is also described.     

Architecture and design of optical channel protected ring networks

In this paper, different optical ring architectures are considered and the optical add/drop multiplexer (OADM) functional architecture is described. In addition, different aspects of ring network design and their impact on the network architecture are discussed     

Cook-off studies of propellants and explosives

A theoretical and an experimental study of the cook-off problem is proposed. The critical temperature for thermal explosion is analyzed as a function of the initial mass of propellant. A good agreement is found between theory and experiments.     

Effusion of ions through small holes

The effusion of ions through small holes with cylindrical geometry, mady in conductive materials, has been theoretically studied, assuming that each ion striking the wall is converted into a neutral particle. The results of the calculations are compared with some preliminary experimental results.