Fourier transform emission spectroscopy of YH and YD: observation of new A1Δ and B1Π electronic states.

The emission spectra of YH and YD molecules have been investigated in the 3600-12,000 cm(-1) region using a Fourier transform spectrometer. Molecules were formed in an yttrium hollow cathode lamp operated with a continuous flow of a mixture of Ne and Ar gases, and YH and YD were observed together in the same spectra. A group of bands observed near 1 µm have been identified as 0-0 and 1-1 bands of the A(1)Δ-X(1)Σ(+) and B(1)Π-X(1)Σ(+) transitions of YH and the 0-0 bands of the same two transitions for YD. The A(1)Δ and B(1)Π states of YH are separated by only about 12 cm(-1) and are involved in strong interactions. A perturbation analysis has been performed using the PGOPHER program to fit the two interacting electronic states and spectroscopic parameters for the A(1)Δ and B(1)Π states, including the interaction matrix elements, have been obtained for the first time.

Cultural linkage: treating Maori with alcohol and drug problems in dedicated Maori treatment programs.

Maori are the indigenous people of New Zealand and suffer more health problems, including alcohol and drug-related problems, per head of population compared with the Pakeha (non-Maori) population. An initiative to develop dedicated Maori alcohol and drug user treatment programs, which offer "cultural linkage," is currently being undertaken. This initiative is based on the premise that addressing cultural needs makes alcohol and drug treatment more effective for Maori than mainstream programs which do not specifically address these special needs issues. As yet, there are no data from controlled studies which address this proposition. Key problems related to the development of "cultural linkage" programs in New Zealand are identified and solutions suggested along with future direction for research in this area.

Visual recovery following treatment with very high dose corticosteroid in traumatic optic neuropathy.

Optic nerve compression is a true ophthalmic emergency. In addition to causes such as tumours, infection, mucoceles and granulomas, the majority of cases are the result of orbitofacial or closed-head trauma. The appropriate management of such cases is controversial; with some authors favouring surgical decompression while others advocate medical treatment using very high-dose corticosteroids, or a combination of both. We report a case of traumatic optic neuropathy in which there was marked improvement in visual acuity following the administration of methylprednisolone.

High-resolution Fourier-transform emission spectroscopy of the A(1)II-X(1)Σ(+) system of AIH.

The emission spectrum of the A(1)II-X(1)Σ(+) system of AIH, excited in a hollow-cathode discharge lamp, has been observed at high resolution with a Fourier-transform spectrometer. The rotational lines in the 0-0 and the 1-1 bands have been measured with a precision of ±0.001 cm(-1). The present measurements provide a considerable improvement overthe previous data of Zeeman and Ritter [Can. J. Phys. 32, 555 (1954)]. The present data, combined with the previous high-resolution measurements of the 1-0 vibration-rotation band by White et al. [J. Chem. Phys. 99, 8371 (1993)] and the J = 1-0 pure rotational line of Goto and Saito [Astrophys. J. 452, L147 (1995)] have been used to determine improved molecular constants for the A(1)!! state.

Modification of the conventional method for determination of the focal length of convex mirrors.

A simple experimental procedure is described for the precise measurement of focal lengths of medium-sized convex mirrors. This procedure is a modification of the conventional method reported in the literature. It has enabled us to minimize the errors introduced because of bench corrections and depth of focus of optical components that are generally encountered with conventional methods. The accuracy of the procedure has been found to be ±0.3%. The results of the measurements on a few test convex mirrors and experimental parameters are reported.

Quantitative studies on the mating system of opium poppy (Papaver somniferum L.).

Nearly 400 individuals at two locations and over a number of years were crossed and subsequently scored for selfing versus outcrossing in eight monohybrid populations of opium poppy (Papaver somniferum). Two different marker loci, petal colour (R/r) and capsule size (B/b) were used to determine the male gametes that had effected fertilizations in F2 recessives (rr and bb). The estimates of the outcrossing parameter α were found to vary with year, location and for the marker locus used (α range: 0.0988-0.3704). Study of two dihybrid crosses involving the two loci simultaneously, further confirmed that outcrossing at the R/r locus was significantly greater than that at the B/b locus. The nature of the outcrossing was, in general, nonrandom. Selfmg predominated in this species; however, there was a high frequency of natural outcrossing for generating variations in P. somniferum.

Photoacoustic determination of the color of inks.

Photoacoustic spectroscopy, using a PZT transducer, is a quick, direct, and accurate technique to measure ink colors from the absorption region and maximum absorption position.