Effect of crossed beams on Stokes gain and interaction length in stimulated Raman gain spectroscopy

We have numerically calculated the change in spatial resolution and Stokes gain for stimulated Raman gain experiments that use two crossed laser beams. The laser beams are modeled as diffraction-limited, Gaussian TEM(00) beams. Results for interaction length and relative Stokes gain are presented for crossing angles of 0-15°, focusing ?/#'s 2-250, and mismatches in the positions of the focal points of the two beams. The numerical results for spatial resolution and gain are compared with geometric approximations that have been previously published. These numerical simulations show where the approximations are valid and also extend into regions where the approximations are invalid. PACS: 42.65 Dr.     

Earth Observing System AM1 mission to Earth

In 1998, NASA launches EOS-AMI, the first of a series of the Earth Observing System (EOS) satellites. EOS will monitor the evolution of the state of the earth for 18 years, starting with the morning observations of EOS-AM1 (10:30 a.m. equatorial crossing time). An integrated view of the earth, as planned by EOS, is needed to study the interchange of energy, moisture, and carbon between the lands, oceans, and atmosphere. The launch of EOS-AM1 and other international satellites marks a new phase of climate and global change research. Both natural and anthropogenic climate change have been studied for more than a century. It is now recognized that processes that vary rapidly in time and space-e.g. aerosol, clouds, land use, and exchanges of energy and moisture-must be considered to adequately explain the temperature record and predict future climate change. Frequent measurements with adequate resolution, as only possible from spacecraft, are key tools in such an effort. The versatile and highly accurate EOS-AM1 data, together with previous satellite records, as well as data from ADEOS, TRMM, SeaWiFS, ATSR, MERIS, ENVISAT, EOS-PM1, Landsat and ground-based networks is expected to revolutionize the way scientists look at climate change. This article introduces the EOS-AM1 mission and the special issue devoted to it. Following a brief historical perspective for an insight into the purpose and objectives of the mission, the authors summarize the characteristics of the five instruments onboard EOS-AM1. Specifically, they concentrate on the innovative elements of these five instruments and provide examples of the science issues that require this type of data     

Multigrid transmission-line modelling method for solving electromagnetic field problems

The development of a novel approach to solve electromagnetic problems in three dimensions is presented. The method described as the 'multigrid TLM method' uses different grid sizes to model space thus allowing the modelling of small features using a fine mesh of grid points, whereas the rest of space is modelled using a coarse mesh. The advantage of this method is that it offers simultaneously very high space resolution and modest computer storage and run-time requirements. The basis of the method is described briefly, together with typical results and conclusions.<>     

Safflower meal

Safflower meal from undecorticated commercial seed is useful feed for ruminant animals. Its low energy content is a problem in poultry and swine rations. Partially decorticated meals are valuable for ruminants and are also quite suitable in poultry rations if provision is made for extra metabolizable calories, and if other feed ingredients supply additional lysine and methionine. In a properly balanced ration safflower meal produces growth rates superior to those from optimally supplemented soybean oilmeal. The flour obtained by essentially complete removal of oil and hulls is light colored, bitter, and contains about 60% protein. Debittering yields a relatively bland, 70% protein flour which has potential as a human food. Presented at the AOCS Meeting, Cincinnati, October 1965. W. Utiliz. Res. Dev. Div., ARS. USDA.     

New Methodology for Quantifying Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) Using High-Resolution Aerosol Mass Spectrometry

This article presents a new methodology to potentially quantify polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) isomers using high-resolution time of flight aerosol mass spectrometer (HR-AMS). The fragmentation of PAHs within the HR-AMS is such that significant signal remains at the molecular ion. After quantifying the molecular ion signal and taking into account potential interferences, the amount of the parent PAH in the aerosol may be inferred once its fragmentation pattern is also known. The potential of this approach was evaluated using mixed gasoline and diesel engine exhaust sampled under varying conditions. This dataset led to the identification and quantification within the aerosol mass spectra of the molecular ions associated with 53 PAH isomers, including both unsubstituted and functionalized species. An evaluation of anticipated interferences shows that interferences from larger molecular weight PAHs (i.e., PAH/PAH interferences) could be constrained based on the fragmentation behavior of PAHs from existing HR-AMS laboratory spectra. Other signal interferences for this data set are typically less than 5% of the total signal or, for ¹³C isotopic interferents, are well constrained by measurements of the dominant isotope. The experimental data reveal that the fractional PAH molecular ion signal remained stable despite dramatic temporal variability of the total particulate organic signal. The fractional contributions of the molecular ions for grouped PAH species and even individual compounds were remarkably consistent across experiments. The distribution of PAHs showed no apparent dependence on engine load or exhaust type. Full application of this approach will require a greater number of standard HR-AMS spectra for PAHs, so that the relationship between compounds and their molecular ions may be understood more precisely.

Copyright 2015 American Association for Aerosol Research     

Selecting alabama waterway industrial sites for public development

Described is a numerical screening procedure to be used as an aid in determining which sites fronting on Alabama waterways should receive priority in the allocation of public development funds. The presented modeling procedure is an adaptation of a method for the evaluation of waterfront industrial site potential developed by the Regional Economic Development Center (REDC) at Memphis State University. Reasons for the revisions of the REDC effort are explained. In addition, model use procedures are introduced.     

Sex similarities in verbal and performance IQ deficits following unilateral cerebral lesions.

Investigated whether men and women produce similar Verbal IQ and Performance IQ patterns following unilateral cerebral lesions. Ss included 24 women (mean age 43.96 yrs) and 24 men (mean age 45.08 yrs) with independent neurological evidence of neoplastic or vascular lesions of the right cerebral hemisphere, 24 women (mean age 47.88 yrs) and 24 men (mean age 47.50 yrs) with such lesion evidence of the left cerebral hemisphere, and 14 female (mean age 46.43 yrs) and 14 male (mean age 45.50 yrs) controls. Each group was equated for education, lesion site, severity, chronicity, and etiology. Ss were administered the Wechsler-Bellevue Intelligence Scale, and differences in Verbal and Performance IQ values were compared. Contrary to reports in the literature, no consistent evidence of Sex?×?Lesioned Hemisphere interactions was found. Differences in the lateralization effects between men and women were not reflected in direction or pattern but only in magnitude, arguing against a theory of differential cognitive lateralization according to sex. (15 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Nonresonant referenced laser-induced thermal acoustics thermometry in air

We report a detailed investigation of nonresonant laser-induced thermal acoustics (LITA) for the single-shot measurement of the speed of sound (v(S)) in an oven containing room air. A model for the speed of sound that includes important acoustic relaxation effects is used to convert the speed of sound into temperature. A reference LITA channel is used to reduce uncertainties in v(S). Comparing thermocouple temperatures with temperatures deduced from our v(S) measurements and model, we find the mean temperature difference from 300 to 650 K to be 1% (+/-2sigma). The advantages of using a reference LITA channel are discussed.     

Planar diffracted-beam interferometry/holography

A method to interfere planar electron diffracted beams that have been created by a primary electron beam passing through a crystal specimen has been invented and referred to as planar diffracted-beam interferometry/holography (planar DBI/H). Planar DBI/H is able to measure the intensity and coherence properties of the diffracted electron beams. When the diffracted electron beams are energy filtered, planar DBI/H is also able to measure the intensity and coherence properties of the zero-loss electrons, phonon-loss electrons and plasmon-loss electrons. These coherence properties are useful to help our understanding of the Stobbs factor and the properties of advanced materials, necessary for our understanding of nanoscience and the development of nanotechnology.