Laser excited luminescence of coronene in a shpolskii matrix

The luminescence spectrum of coronene in n-heptane at 77°K has been studied using both xenon lamp and argon ion laser excitation. The results illustrate the Shpolskii theory of different emitting sites. With xenon excitation the emission spectrum consists of two similar slightly shifted subspectra. With laser excitation at 3511 Å only the longer wavelength subspectrum is observed. Fluorescence and phosphorescence excitation spectra show that this laser line is absorbed by the longwave component of the S₂←S₀ doublet.     

3-Methylpyrazolo [1,2-a] pyridazin-1-one. Selenium derivatives of 5,8-dihydropyrazolo[1,2-a]pyridazine

The dehydrogenation of the known 3-methyl-5,8-dihydropyrazolo[1,2-a]pyridazin-1-one (2) to the ten π electron heteroaromatic 3-methylpyrazolo[1,2-a]pyridazin-1-one ( 3 ) is reported. Conversions of the pyrazolone 2 to the pyrazoloselenone 6 via the chloropyrazolium chloride 7 , and of pyrazolones 2 and 3 and pyrazoloselenone 6 into the corresponding O or Se ethyl pyrazolium fluoroborates 5, 4 , and 8 by triethyloxonium fluoroborate are also described.     

Acoustic features of objects matched by an echolocating bottlenose dolphin

The focus of this study was to investigate how dolphins use acoustic features in returning echolocation signals to discriminate among objects. An echolocating dolphin performed a match-to-sample task with objects that varied in size, shape, material, and texture. After the task was completed, the features of the object echoes were measured (e.g., target strength, peak frequency). The dolphin's error patterns were examined in conjunction with the between-object variation in acoustic features to identify the acoustic features that the dolphin used to discriminate among the objects. The present study explored two hypotheses regarding the way dolphins use acoustic information in echoes: (1) use of a single feature, or (2) use of a linear combination of multiple features. The results suggested that dolphins do not use a single feature across all object sets or a linear combination of six echo features. Five features appeared to be important to the dolphin on four or more sets: the echo spectrum shape, the pattern of changes in target strength and number of highlights as a function of object orientation, and peak and center frequency. These data suggest that dolphins use multiple features and integrate information across echoes from a range of object orientations.     

Testing the odontocete acoustic prey debilitation hypothesis: no stunning results

The hypothesis that sounds produced by odontocetes can debilitate fish was examined. The effects of simulated odontocete pulsed signals on three species of fish commonly preyed on by odontocetes were examined, exposing three individuals of each species as well as groups of four fish to a high-frequency click of a bottlenose dolphin [peak frequency (PF) 120 kHz, 213-dB peak-to-peak exposure level (EL)], a midfrequency click modeled after a killer whale's signal (PF 55 kHz, 208-dB EL), and a low-frequency click (PF 18 kHz, 193-dB EL). Fish were held in a 50-cm diameter net enclosure immediately in front of a transducer where their swimming behavior, orientation, and balance were observed with two video cameras. Clicks were presented at constant rates and in graded sweeps simulating a foraging dolphin's "terminal buzz." No measurable change in behavior was observed in any of the fish for any signal type or pulse modulation rate, despite the fact that clicks were at or near the maximum source levels recorded for odontocetes. Based on the results, the hypothesis that acoustic signals of odontocetes alone can disorient or "stun" prey cannot be supported.