Sites structure and spectroscopic properties of Yb-doped and Yb, Na-codoped CaF2 laser crystals

For the first time, the effect of Na+ on crystal structure, valence state of Yb ions, spectroscopic properties of YbF3-doped CaF2 system was systematically studied. Na+ can greatly suppress the deoxidization of Yb3+ to Yb2+. Absorption and emission spectra showed codoping Na+ with different Na:Yb ratios can modulate the spectroscopy and photoluminescence properties of Yb3+ ions in CaF2 lattice in a large scope. The emission lifetime and quantum efficiency of Yb3+ in CaF2 were greatly enhanced by the codopant of Na+. The potential laser performances of the new Yb, Na-codoped CaF2 crystals were predicted. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Meus favoritos: crianças, sites e metodologias de pesquisa

Esta dissertação apresenta uma pesquisa que teve por objetivo descobrir qual a relação das crianças com a Internet e mais especificamente com os sites. Tendo como interlocutores cinco crianças que moram em uma mesma Vila Residencial, a pesquisa, que aconteceu neste espaço, pautou-se em questões do cotidiano, para investigar os usos que as crianças fazem dos sites que acessam. Os desafios de pesquisar em espaços particulares, onde questões como amizade, autoridade e metodologia de pesquisa ganharam destaque, fizeram-se presentes em todo o processo: do campo à escrita do texto. Uma grande questão que perpassa a discussão metodológica é sobre como, ao pesquisar através dos jogos, surge o desafio em conciliar os papéis de pesquisadora e jogadora. As reflexões sobre a construção de uma metodologia de pesquisa em espaços particulares contou com a contribuição de autores como Nilda Alves, Mikhail Bakhtin, Marília Amorim, Angela Borba, Fabiana Marcello dentre outros. As questões do cotidiano foram feitas a partir do debate principalmente com Michel de Certeau. As reflexões mais específicas sobre a Internet foram feitas a partir do que emergiu em campo, com as crianças, e contaram com o auxílio de, entre outros, André Lemos, Edméa Santos, Lucia Santaella e Marco Silva.

Matrix analysis of an anisotropic optical thin film

Based on Maxwell's equations, standard boundary conditions are imposed on resultant electric- and magnetic-field vectors at interfaces, and the propagating characteristics of extraordinary waves, such as the forward- and backward-propagating directions of wave vectors, rays and their corresponding refractive indices are determined in a uniaxially birefringent thin film. Furthermore, 2 x 2 characteristic matrices of a birefringent thin film are derived including multiple reflections for the extraordinary wave.

Electric fishing survey of the gravel addition sites on the River Wyre, Grizedale Beck and Joshua's Beck.

Although geographically the River Wyre lies between two rivers containing major migrations of adult salmon and sea trout, its rod & line fisheries have for a number of years produced exceptionally low catches. In order to determine the causes of this the Wyre Salmon and Sea trout Restoration Group (WSSRG) was conceived in 1994 as a partnership between the then National Rivers Authority (now Environment Agency), local landowners, angling clubs and interested parties. Two studies of 1994 and 1995 stated that there is a shortage of useable spawning gravels on the river. This is compounded by Abbeystead Reservoir acting as a gravel trap, the siltation of gravels on several side becks and problems with access to available gravels by returning adults. There was also perceived to be a need for accurate fishery data from the river encompassing redd counts, catch data and surveys of fry populations. The 1995 report suggested a number of management proposals which might be adopted in order to improve and create available spawning habitat for migratory salmonids. Funding was made available to create three spawning gravels on each of two side becks (Grizedale Beck and Joshua's Beck) and the addition of gravels to a site oh the main river below Abbeystead Reservoir. Modifications were also made to the fish pass at Abbeystead to allow easier passage of fish. These improvements were made in the autumn of 1995. Salmonid spawning redd counting was undertaken on the whole Wyre catchment in 1995/1996 and specific surveys by electric fishing on the gravel enhancement sites in the summer of 1996. This report details the current state of the improvement works that were undertaken and presents the results of electric fishing surveys in September 1996. A number of lessons have been learnt which will be of great benefit to the Fisheries Function in other parts of the Wyre catchment and the Central Area in general.

Analysis of characteristic matrix for a uniaxially birefringent thin film

As the principal section consistent with the principal plane, electromagnetic propagation in a uniaxially birefingent thin film can be described with a concise 2 x 2 characteristic matrix, in which the refractive indices of the forward and backward propagating extraordinary rays are different and dependent. In this letter, based on Huygen's construction, the refractive indices and effective optical admittances of the forward and backward propagating extraordinary rays are discussed further, and the 2 x 2 characteristic matrix is simplified. Furthermore, the input optical admittance, reflectance and transmittance of assembly is presented, just as an isotropic thin film. The result can be extended to the general case of multilayer uniaxially birefringent thin films with their optic axes in the incident plane. Copyright (c) EPLA, 2007.

Effects of trawling for ocean shrimp (Pandalus jordani) on macroinvertebrate abundance and diversity at four sites near Nehalem Bank, Oregon

Surveys with a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) at four mudhabitat sites with different histories of ocean shrimp (Pandalus jordani) trawling showed measurable effects of trawling on macroinvertebrate abundance and diversity. Densities of the sea whip (Halipteris spp., P<0.01), the flat mud star (Luidia foliolata, P< 0.001), unidentified Asteroidea (P<0.05), and squat lobsters (unidentified Galathoidea, P<0.001) were lower at heavily trawled (HT) sites, as was invertebrate diversity based on the Shannon-Wiener index. Sea cucumbers (unidentified Holothuroidea) and unidentified corals (Hydrocoralia) were observed at lightly trawled (LT) sites but not at HT sites. Hagfish (Eptatretus spp.) burrows were the dominant structural feature of the sediment surface at all sites and were more abundant at the HT sites (P<0.05), a result potentially related to effects from fishery discards. Substantial heterogeneity was found between the northern and southern site pairs, indicating high site-to-site variability in macroinvertebrate densities in these deep (146–156 m) mud habitats. Two of the study sites were closed to trawling in June 2006. The data from this study can be used in combination with future surveys to measure recovery rates of deep, mud, seaf loor habitats from the effects of trawling, thus providing a critical piece of information for ecosystem-based management.

Sensitivity of angler benefit estimates from a model of recreational demand to the definition of the substitute sites considered by the angler

Fishery managers are mandated to understand the effects that environmental damage, fishery regulations, and habitat improvement projects have on the net benefits that recreational anglers derive from their sport. Since 1994, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has worked to develop a consistent method for estimating net benefits through site choice models of recreational trip demand. In estimating net benefits with these models, there is a tradeoff between computational efficiency and angler behavior in reality. This article examines this tradeoff by considering the sensitivity of angler-welfare estimates for an increase in striped bass (Morone saxatalis) angling quality across choice sets with five travel distance cutoffs and compares those estimates to a model with an unrestricted choice set. This article shows that 95% confidence intervals for welfare estimates of an increase in the striped bass catch and keep rate overlap for all distance-based choice sets specified here.

Influence of Extracellular Matrix Components on the Expression of Integrins and Regeneration of Adult Retinal Ganglion Cells

Purpose Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are exposed to injury in a variety of optic nerve diseases including glaucoma. However, not all cells respond in the same way to damage and the capacity of individual RGCs to survive or regenerate is variable. In order to elucidate factors that may be important for RGC survival and regeneration we have focussed on the extracellular matrix (ECM) and RGC integrin expression. Our specific questions were: (1) Do adult RGCs express particular sets of integrins in vitro and in vivo? (2) Can the nature of the ECM influence the expression of different integrins? (3) Can the nature of the ECM affect the survival of the cells and the length or branching complexity of their neurites? Methods Primary RGC cultures from adult rat retina were placed on glass coverslips treated with different substrates: Poly-L-Lysine (PL), or PL plus laminin (L), collagen I (CI), collagen IV (CIV) or fibronectin (F). After 10 days in culture, we performed double immunostaining with an antibody against beta III-Tubulin to identify the RGCs, and antibodies against the integrin subunits: alpha V, alpha 1, alpha 3, alpha 5, beta 1 or beta 3. The number of adhering and surviving cells, the number and length of the neurites and the expression of the integrin subunits on the different substrates were analysed. Results PL and L were associated with the greatest survival of RGCs while CI provided the least favourable conditions. The type of substrate affected the number and length of neurites. L stimulated the longest growth. We found at least three different types of RGCs in terms of their capacity to regenerate and extend neurites. The different combinations of integrins expressed by the cells growing on different substrata suggest that RGCs expressed predominantly alpha 1 beta 1 or alpha 3 beta 1 on L, alpha 1 beta 1 on CI and CIV, and alpha 5 beta 3 on F. The activity of the integrins was demonstrated by the phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK). Conclusions Adult rat RGCs can survive and grow in the presence of different ECM tested. Further studies should be done to elucidate the different molecular characteristics of the RGCs subtypes in order to understand the possible different sensitivity of different RGCs to damage in diseases like glaucoma in which not all RGCs die at the same time.

The relationship of shell dimensions and shell volume to live weight and soft tissue weight in the mangrove clam, Polymesoda erosa (Solander, 1786) from northern Australia

Shell dimensions (length, height, width) and shell volume were evaluated as estimators of growth for Polymesoda erosa in northern Australia. Each parameter was a good estimator when applied to live weight (r2 values of 76-96 percent), but not to soft tissue weight (wet, dry, or ash-free dry weight) (r2 values of 13-32 percent). The b value for shell volume to weight relationship of clams collected during the dry season (June to October) was signifi cantly different than for those collected in the wet season (February to April).