ALBERT

Notes: Electron cyclotron resonance heating (ECRH) has made rapid progress over the last few years due primarily to improved gyrotron source technology. The unique ability of ECRH to deposit energy locally offers numerous advantages, such as the ability to preionize, initiate, control, and heat fusion plasmas. However, wave propagation and absorption mechanisms are not well understood and the fusion community would clearly benefit from a nonperturbing monitor of ECRF wave activity. The use of FIR collective Thomson scattering techniques on the upcoming ECRH experiment on TEXT is described. The intention is to probe both k⊥ and k(parallel) ECRF wave activity as well as simultaneously monitoring microturbulence levels. The existing source frequency of 245 GHz will experience a large frequency shift (∼60 GHz) after scattering from ECRF waves. This has a number of important consequences for the accurate interpretation of scattering data. These will be described in detail as well as alternative CO2 and FIR laser scattering schemes.

Notes: Abstract. Studies of the isoprene emission rate in response to changes in photon-flux density and CO2 partial pressure were conducted using a recently developed on-line isoprene analyser combined with a gas exchange system and chlorophyll fluorometer. Upon darkening, the isoprene emission rate from leaves of aspen (Populus tremuloides Michaux.) began to decline immediately, demonstrating that the internal pool of isoprene, or its precursors, is small and that the instantaneous emission rate is tightly coupled to the rate of synthesis. A post-illumination burst of isoprene was observed within 5 min after darkening and lasted for 15–20 min in four isoprene-emitting species that were examined. In leaves of eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus Labill.), the magnitude of the post-illumination burst was dependent on the photon-flux density that existed before darkening, but not on ambient CO2 partial pressure. The dependence of the post-illumination burst on photon-flux density paralleled that for the steady-state rate of isoprene emission. A step-wise increase in intercellular CO2 partial pressure from 24.5 to 60 Pa resulted in an immediate decrease in isoprene emission rate and non-photochemical fluorescence quenching, but an increase in CO2 assimilation rate. Given the several recent studies that link isoprene emission to chloroplastic processes, the results of this study indicate that the linkage is not dependent on the rate of CO2 flux through the reductive pentose phosphate pathway, but rather on more complex relationships involving metabolites not appreciably influenced by CO2 partial pressure.

Notes: [Auszug] The pile is described as having been "shattered . . . into long splinters". Charring is not mentioned, and I assume it to have been minimal. If the detonation was produced by the rapid boiling of the water absorbed in the wood, the energy required to vaporize a sufficient amount of water to shatter ...

Notes: Abstract Isoprene emission from plants represents one of the principal biospheric controls over the oxidative capacity of the continental troposphere. In the study reported here, the seasonal pattern of isoprene emission, and its underlying determinants, were studied for aspen trees growing in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. The springtime onset of isoprene emission was delayed for up to 4 weeks following leaf emergence, despite the presence of positive net photosynthesis rates. Maximum isoprene emission rates were reached approximately 6 weeks following leaf emergence. During this initial developmental phase, isoprene emission rates were negatively correlated with leaf nitrogen concentrations. During the autumnal decline in isoprene emission, rates were positively correlated with leaf nitrogen concentration. Given past studies that demonstrate a correlation between leaf nitrogen concentration and isoprene emission rate, we conclude that factors other than the amount of leaf nitrogen determine the early-season initiation of isoprene emission. The late-season decline in isoprene emission rate is interpreted as due to the autumnal breakdown of metabolic machinery and loss of leaf nitrogen. In potted aspen trees, leaves that emerged in February and developed under cool, springtime temperatures did not emit isoprene until 23 days after leaf emergence. Leaves that emrged in July and developed in hot, midsummer temperatures emitted isoprene within 6 days. Leaves that had emerged during the cool spring, and had grown for several weeks without emitting isoprene, could be induced to emit isoprene within 2 h of exposure to 32°C. Continued exposure to warm temperatures resulted in a progressive increase in the isoprene emission rate. Thus, temperature appears to be an important determinant of the early season induction of isoprene emission. The seasonal pattern of isoprene emission was examined in trees growing along an elevational gradient in the Colorado Front Range (1829–2896 m). Trees at different elevations exhibited staggered patterns of bud-break and initiation of photosynthesis and isoprene emission in concert with the staggered onset of warm, springtime temperatures. The springtime induction of isoprene emission could be predicted at each of the three sites as the time after bud break required for cumulative temperatures above 0°C to reach approximately 400 degree days. Seasonal temperature acclimation of isoprene emission rate and photosynthesis rate was not observed. The temperature dependence of isoprene emission rate between 20 and 35°C could be accurately predicted during spring and summer using a single algorithm that describes the Arrhenius relationship of enzyme activity. From these results, it is concluded that the early season pattern of isoprene emission is controlled by prevailing temperature and its interaction with developmental processes. The late-season pattern is determined by controls over leaf nitrogen concentration, especially the depletion of leaf nitrogen during senescence. Following early-season induction, isoprene emission rates correlate with photosynthesis rates. During the season there is little acclimation to temperature, so that seasonal modeling simplifies to a single temperature-response algorithm.