Transform-limited, narrow-linewidth lasing action in organic semiconductor microcavities

Lasing action in organic vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (OVCSEL) structures is demonstrated. Optically pumped OVCSELs with an active layer composed of a thin-film organic semiconductor tris-(8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum (Alq3) doped with DCM laser dye produced very narrow linewidth (0.2 +/- 0.1 angstrom), high-power (3 watts) emission that could be varied in different devices from orange to red. The efficient energy transfer from Alq3 to DCM results in a threshold input energy of 300 microjoules per square centimeter. An operational lifetime >10(6) laser pulses was achieved for a device operated well above threshold in atmosphere. The linewidths above threshold are Fourier transform-limited and could potentially be narrowed further.     

Post-cambrian trilobite diversity and evolutionary faunas

A cluster analysis of the stratigraphic distribution of all Ordovician trilobite families, based on a comprehensive taxonomic database, identified two major faunas with disjunct temporal diversity trends. The Ibex Fauna behaved as a cohort, declining through the Ordovician and disappearing at the end-Ordovician mass extinction. In contrast, the Whiterock Fauna radiated rapidly during the Middle Ordovician and gave rise to all post-Ordovician trilobite diversity. Its pattern of diversification matches that of the Paleozoic Evolutionary Fauna; hence, trilobites were active participants in the great Ordovician radiations. Extinction patterns at the end of the Ordovician are related to clade size: Surviving trilobite families show higher genus diversity than extinguished families.     

Phenotypic assessment of genetic gain from selection for improved drought tolerance in semi-tropical maize populations

Most maize production across the globe is rain-fed, and production is set to be negatively impacted as duration and occurrence of droughts increases due to climate change. Development of water-deficit tolerant maize germplasm has been a major focus for most breeding programmes. Here, we sought to assess the genetic gain for grain yield in two maize populations developed for drought tolerance at CIMMYT by evaluating their cycle progeny through hybrid performance. Inbreds derived from different cycles of the Drought Tolerant Population (DTP) and La Posta Sequia (LPS) were mated to a tester (CML550), and resulting hybrids were evaluated under managed water-deficit stress and well-watered conditions. The difference in yield between water-deficit and well-watered treatments was 27% and 36% for the DTP and LPS, respectively. Genetic gain for grain yield across cycles for the two populations was confirmed in the study. Genetic gain was observed for both treatments indicating that selection for water-deficit stress tolerance simultaneously improves grain yield in well-watered conditions. The DTP population had a genetic gain of 0.07 t ha⁻¹ cycle⁻¹, while the LPS had 0.16 t ha⁻¹ cycle⁻¹ under water-deficit conditions. Significant genetic gain was also observed in the well-watered treatments for both populations. Anthesis to silking interval was significantly reduced under water-deficit stress conditions in both populations. Plant and ear height were reduced in the LPS population in both treatments, while no reductions were observed for the trait in the DTP population. Potential water-deficit stress tolerance donor lines with yields comparable to commercial check varieties were identified.     

Modelling regional level spatial distribution of aphid (Lipaphis erysimi) growth in Indian mustard using satellite-based remote sensing data

Abstract

We developed a procedure for preparing a model for mapping spatially distributed zones of aphid pest (Lipaphis erysimi) outbreaks at a regional level. This study employed near-surface meteorological parameters derived from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Television and Infra-Red Operational Satellites (TIROS) Operational Vertical Sounder (TOVS) data and field observations of disease infestation. The study area comprised three sites representing semi-arid and sub-humid regions of dominant Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.)-growing regions of India. A model based on TOVS-derived cumulative surface air temperature and minimum specific humidity (SpH) was developed to estimate the date of ‘aphid onset’ (first appearance), date of peak infestation and location of severity with respect to aphid population density. Aphid population growth rate during the linear growth phase between aphid onset to peak was computed using SpH-weighted temperature and dates of sowing of the crop (crop age). Sowing dates of mustard crop, of northwest India, were obtained from spectral growth profiles derived from time series remote sensing (RS) products of the SPOT-4 VEGETATION sensor. Estimated dates of peak aphid infestation and peak population showed a strong match with the observed data. The location of peak aphid population density was depicted in each spatial grid of 25×25 km² for parts of northwest India. The simulated aphid population build-up and date of peak population density was validated with observed data for an unknown site in the Sriganganager district, Rajasthan state, India. Comparison of predicted dates of attaining peak aphid population with observations showed a deviation of ±7 days. After validation, the regional level model was applied over a large area of a mustard-growing region for varying dates of sowing, surface air temperature and specific humidity, to show the spatial distribution of aphid growing severity zones (population density) and to predict dates of severe aphid infestation (peak population) at each grid level in the region.     

Comparative analysis of multi-criteria probabilistic FR and AHP models for forest fire risk(FFR) mapping in Melghat Tiger Reserve(MTR) forest

A comparative study of Frequency Ratio(FR)and Analytic Hierarchy Process(AHP)models are performed for forest fire risk(FFR)mapping in Melghat Tiger Reserve forest,central India.Identification of FFR depends on various hydrometeorological parameters altitude,slope,aspect,topographic position index,normalized differential vegetation index,rainfall,air temperature,land surface temperature,wind speed,distance to settlements,and distance by road are integrated using a GIS platform.The results from FR and AHP show similar trends.The FR model was significantly higher accurate(overall accuracy of 81.3%,kappa statistic 0.78)than the AHP model(overall accuracy 79.3%,kappa statistic 0.75).The FR model total forest fire risk areas were classified into five classes:very low(7.1%),low(22.2%),moderate(32.3%),high(26.9%),and very high(11.5%).The AHP fire risk classes were very low(6.7%),low(21.7%),moderate(34.0%),high(26.7%),and very high(10.9%).Sensitivity analyses were performed for AHP and FR models.The results of the two different models are compared and justified concerning the forest fire sample points(Forest Survey of India)and burn images(2010-2016).These results help in designing more effective fire management plans to improve the allocation of resources across a landscape framework.     

Disease features in horses with induced equine monocytic ehrlichiosis (Potomac horse fever)

Fifty-five horses were inoculated IV and/or SC with materials containing Ehrlichia risticii, ie, infected whole blood, buffy coat cells, or cell culture, to study clinical and hematologic features of equine monocytic ehrlichiosis (Potomac horse fever). Major clinical and hematologic features of induced E risticii infection were biphasic increase in rectal temperature with peak increases of 38.9 C and 39.3 C on postinoculation days (PID) 5 and 12, respectively; depression; anorexia; decreased WBC count (maximal decrease of 47% on PID 12); and diarrhea from PID 14 to PID 18. Increased WBC count was an inconsistent feature, with a maximal increase of 51.5% on PID 20. During times of decreased and increased WBC counts, lymphocyte/neutrophil ratios remained fairly constant. However, not all horses had all clinical and hematologic features, and these features were present in different degrees among horses. Increased rectal temperature, depression, anorexia, and decreased WBC count were more consistent features, whereas diarrhea developed in 73% of the horses. Of 55 horses, 39 (71%) had all clinical and hematologic features of the disease (classic disease), whereas 16 (29%) horses did not have greater than or equal to 1 of these features (nonclassic disease). The E risticii titer in the blood (ehrlichemia) was maximum during the peak increase in rectal temperature. In 55 horses, mortality was 9%. Significant differences (P greater than 0.5) in clinical and hematologic features were not detected between horses that survived and those that died of E risticii infection.     

Treatment with vitamins A, D and E did not reduce weight loss in transported cattle

SUMMARY Two field trials using an injectable vitamin A, D and E solution conducted in the pastoral environment of northern Australia are described. It was found that treatment of lighter (< 150 kg) or heavier (> 372 kg) weight cattle did not reduce weight loss during road transport. These findings contradict anecdotal evidence of reduced weight loss during transport with the use of vitamins A, D and E. The lack of scientific basis for their use is discussed.