Mode locking of electron spin coherences in singly charged quantum dots

The fast dephasing of electron spins in an ensemble of quantum dots is detrimental for applications in quantum information processing. We show here that dephasing can be overcome by using a periodic train of light pulses to synchronize the phases of the precessing spins, and we demonstrate this effect in an ensemble of singly charged (In,Ga)As/GaAs quantum dots. This mode locking leads to constructive interference of contributions to Faraday rotation and presents potential applications based on robust quantum coherence within an ensemble of dots.     

Epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate (EGCG) and green tea polyphenols do not improve stallion semen parameters during cooling at 4°C

Stallion semen storage for artificial insemination is mainly based on liquid cooled storage. In many stallions this technique maintains sperm quality for an extended period of time (24–72 hr) at 7°C. While this technique is commonly used in the horse industry, there can be a decline in fertility in some stallions, due to an inability of their sperm to tolerate the cool storage process. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the effect of two natural antioxidants (epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate (EGCG) at 20, 60 and 120 μm and green tea polyphenols, and p at .001, .01 and .1 mg/ml) on some sperm parameters (sperm motility, viability/acrosome integrity and DNA quality) in extended semen immediately after its collection (T0) and after 2, 6, 24 and 48 hr of cool storage. Two ejaculates from three trotter stallions were analysed after 48 hr of storage at 4°C. No beneficial effect on the analysed parameters was observed: the two antioxidants were not able to improve sperm quality after 48 hr of storage. These results are in agreement with previous findings on the effect of different antioxidants reported by other researches, who have demonstrated that stallion semen keeps good antioxidant capacity after dilution for 24 hr. In conclusion, the positive effect exerted by antioxidant molecules in other species is not confirmed in the equine one.     

Knowledge and attitudes of Australian livestock producers concerning biosecurity practices

Biosecurity risks are a major threat to the profitability of the industry as well as impacting human and animal health. Livestock producers play a crucial role in biosecurity as the first to notice changes in the health or productivity of their stock and are generally responsible for implementing protective measures. However, uptake of biosecurity measures by producers is variable. We critically appraised the current literature regarding biosecurity practices in Australian livestock industries and highlight aspects that are well understood as well as those where further research or information is needed. Findings from 12 cross-sectional studies suggest that Australian producers' knowledge of biosecurity methods and importance might have a positive influence on their willingness to implement or incorporate biosecurity practices. There is moderate evidence supportive of biosecurity being well understood by livestock producers across Australia. Barriers to producers using biosecurity practices included lack of information or communication from agricultural, veterinary or government organisations. It was found that larger stock numbers were positively correlated with biosecurity implementation and that producers used veterinarians, government and industry agencies as resources for trusted information.     

A 13C-NMR study on the formation of soil organic matter from grass residues

The development of C-distribution on functional groups in soil organic matter (SOM) was investigated in whole soil samples and organomineral particle-size fractions from the 34-year-old pot experiment Hu3-Loamy marl at Rostock. CPMAS-¹³C-NMR spectra of grass roots and whole soil samples indicated the enrichment of carboxyl-C, aliphatic C and aromatic C in SOM, Only minor changes were observed in the SOM-C distribution on functional groups between 13th and 34th experimental year. The investigation of organomineral clay and silt-size fractions showed a specific retention of aliphatics in clay. The most obvious changes in organic matter composition in size-fractions were the increase of carbohydrate-C and decrease of aromatic C.     

Io's atmospheric response to eclipse: UV aurorae observations

The New Horizons (NH) spacecraft observed Io's aurora in eclipse on four occasions during spring 2007. NH Alice ultraviolet spectroscopy and concurrent Hubble Space Telescope ultraviolet imaging in eclipse investigate the relative contribution of volcanoes to Io's atmosphere and its interaction with Jupiter's magnetosphere. Auroral brightness and morphology variations after eclipse ingress and egress reveal changes in the relative contribution of sublimation and volcanic sources to the atmosphere. Brightnesses viewed at different geometries are best explained by a dramatic difference between the dayside and nightside atmospheric density. Far-ultraviolet aurora morphology reveals the influence of plumes on Io's electrodynamic interaction with Jupiter's magnetosphere. Comparisons to detailed simulations of Io's aurora indicate that volcanoes supply 1 to 3% of the dayside atmosphere.     

Mercury uptake patterns of biota in a seasonally anoxic northern California Reservoir

Biotic uptake of mercury (Hg) in Davis Creek Reservoir, California increased dramatically in conjunction with the entrainment of anoxic hypolimnetic water into the mixed layer. This indicated a seasonal pulse increase of bioavailable Hg associated with thermal destratification. The effect was more pronounced in juvenile bass (70–200% seasonal increases in muscle Hg concentration), as compared to adults (15–25% increases), and was most distinct in zooplankton, which spiked to concentrations of 3–6 mg/kg, dry weight, immediately following fall destratification (130–270% seasonal increases over pre-fall levels). In addition to the general buildup of methyl Hg in the hypolimnion under anoxic conditions, a dense layer of photosynthetic anaerobic bacteria just beneath the thermocline is implicated as a potentially important seasonal source of methyl Hg to reservoir fish. Hg increases in juvenile and adult fish correspond to late summer and fall entrainment of upper hypolimnetic water, while zooplankton spike increases may be partially related to ingestion or adsorption of Hg-scavenging manganese oxides, which precipitate following full turnover. A simple and effective, syringe-based cold vapor atomic absorption method for total Hg is also described.