Stochastic late effects after partial body irradiation in diagnostic radiology: Evaluation of approximate data

Summary The paper describes a method to estimate the risk of inducing a malignant disease by the highly nonuniform partial body X-irradiation as performed in diagnostic radiological examinations. The cumulative probability,p, for the development of a radiation-induced malignant neoplasm is obtained from the equationp =G _t E _s, whereE _s is the energy imparted to the soft tissues of trunk and head during a special radiological procedure.G _t is the mean integral incidence function for trunk and head, reflecting the cancer inducibility of organs and tissues in trunk and head,G _t 0.3 kJ^–1. The value ofG _t was obtained from mortality risk factors for the different tissues at risk, adopted in ICRP Publication 26, 1977.The energy,E, imparted to the body in typical radiographic procedures is in the range of 1–30 mJ, going up to about 1 J in an extensive fluoroscopic examination of the gastrointestinal tract. The corresponding values forp are about 10^–6 to 10^–5, in extensive examinations 10^–4. As to a radiograph of chest, the method described in this paper yields practically the same value forp as the Monte Carlo calculation, using the MIRD phantom and the relevant mortality risk factors.     

Measurement of the chlorophyll fluorescence induction kinetics with a 10 µs time resolution and its application in the forest decline research

Summary Measurement methods are described which determine the initial phase of the fluorescence induction kinetics with a maximum time resolution of 10 µs simultaneously for the two fluorescence componentsF ₆₈₅(t) andF ₁₃₀(t) selected by filters at the wavelengths 685 nm and 730 nm, respectively. The excitation light provided by a He-Ne laser (632.8 nm) is switched on within 0.3 µs (maximum intensityI _e=12 mW/cm²).F _o,F _p, andF _s, the initial-, peak-, and steady-state intensity and the initial valueR _o of the ratioR(t)=F ₇₃₀(t)/F ₆₈₅(t) can accurately be determined as well as the initial time derivativeF _o ^* of the fluorescence intensity.F _o andF _o ^* are related to the quantum yield _a of the antenna and to the photochemical quantum yield _pc, respectively. Spruce, oak, birch, poplar, and soy bean show a decline ofR(t) fromR _o to a first minimumR _b at some 10 ms which has a similar value as the second minimumR _p in the time range of seconds. Furthermore, the initial valueR _o and the steady-state valueR _S ofR(t) are also very similar. Measurements on spruce with water deficiency and with varying excitation light intensityI _e show effects on the initial phase of the fluorescence induction kinetics. Further measurements on spruce of different damage classes indicate that for the current year's needles the ratioF _p/F_o, is the most sensitive parameter to differentiate between the damage classes and thatF _o/F_s andR _o/R_b are also affected. As demonstrated by measurements on leaves of soy beans, the initial decrease ofR(t) fromR _o toR _b originates from a change of the fluorescence spectrum because no change of the leaf transmission can be observed in the time range between 10 µs and 1 ms.     

Intensity of nitrification in soil as a function of time and soil moisture

Proceeding from three previously derived expressions for the intensity of nitrification in soil as a function of time (logΣN=K.logt+q), as a function of incubation moisture (logΣN=A.pF _i+B), as a function of initial moisture (logΣN=C.pF _v+D), it was shown that the nitrification intensity as a function of time and of moisture can be expressed by the bilinear function log ΣN=a.pF _i.logT+b.pF _i+c.logt+d; as a function of time and of initial moisture by the bilinear function logΣ=N=a.pF _v.logt+b.pF _v+c.logt+d; as a function of initial and incubation moisture by the bilinear function log ΣN=a.pF _ipF _v+b.pF _i+c.pF _v+d. The intensity of nitrification as a function of time, incubation moisture and initial moisture may be expressed by the multilinear function log ΣN=a.pF _i.pF _v.logt+b.pF _i.pF _v+c.pF _i.logt+d.pF _v.logt+e .pF _i+f.pF _v=g.logt+h. This function is valid for all the incubation moistures lying between pF _i 3.0 and 4.0 and for all initial moistures between 3.5 and 5.9 provided that the incubation temperature remains constant.     

Malthusian parameters,reproductive values and change under selection in self fertilizing age-structured populations

A population, reproducing wholly by selfing, is assumed to be observed at times . Individuals between x–1 and x units of age at time t are said to be in age class x at that time. The rate of increase in the long run of individuals of type A_iAj is denoted by m_ij+1=m_ji+1. For each genotype there is also a set of reproductive values, corresponding to all age classes and genotypes of individuals having descendants of that genotype. Then, if the number of individuals of each sort of ancestor is multiplied by its reproductive value and the products are summed, the result is the total value, which is V_ij(t) for genotype A_iAj. Then V_ij(t+1)–V_ij(t) is equal to m_ijV_ij(t), where m_ij is the Malthusian parameter for A_iAj. Furthermore, if the mean and variance at time t of the m_ijs, weighted by their corresponding reproductive values, are respectively (t) and _m²(t), then m¯(t+1)–m¯(t)=_m²(t)/(1+m¯(t)).     

In vivo analysis of chlorophyll <Emphasis Type="Italic">a</Emphasis> fluorescence induction

Quantitative characteristics of photosynthetic electron transport were evaluated in vivo on the basis of the multi-exponential analysis of OJIP fluorescence transients induced by saturating actinic light. The OJIP fluorescence curve F(t), measured in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii cells, was transformed into the (1 − F _O/F(t)) × (F _V /F _M)⁻¹ transient, which is shown to relate to PS 2 closure. We assumed that kinetics of PS 2 closure during OJIP rise reflects time-separated processes related to the establishment of redox equilibrium at the PS 2 acceptor side (OJ), PQ pool (JI), and beyond Cyt b/f (IP). Three-exponential fitting was applied to (1 − F _O/F(t)) × (F _V /F _M)⁻¹ transient to obtain lifetimes and amplitudes of the OJ, JI, and IP components of PS 2 closure, which were used to calculate overall rates of reduction and re-oxidation of the PS 2 acceptor side, PQ pool, and intermediates beyond Cyt b/f complex. The results, obtained in the presence of inhibitors, oxidative reagents, and under different stress conditions prove the suggested model and characterize the introduced parameters as useful indicators of photosynthetic function.     

Testing optimal foraging models for air-breathing divers

Models of diving optimality qualitatively predict diving behaviours of aquatic birds and mammals. However, none of them has been empirically tested. We examined the quantitative predictions of optimal diving models by combining cumulative oxygen uptake curves with estimates of power costs during the dives of six tufted ducks, Aythya fuligula. The effects of differing foraging costs on dive duration and rate of oxygen uptake (V_O2up) at the surface were measured during bouts of voluntary dives to a food tray. The birds were trained to surface into a respirometer after each dive, so that changes in V_O2up over time could be measured. The tray held either just food or closely packed stones on top of the food to make foraging energetically more costly. In contrast to predictions from the Houston & Carbone model, foraging time (t_f) increased after dives incorporating higher foraging energy costs but surface time (t_s) remained the same. While optimal diving models have assumed that the cumulative oxygen uptake curve is fixed, V_O2up increased when the energy cost of the dive increased. The optimal breathing model quantitatively predicted ts in both conditions and oxygen consumption during foraging (m₂t_f) in the control condition, for the mean of all ducks. This offers evidence that the ducks were diving optimally and supports the fundamentals of optimal diving theory. However, the model did not consistently predictt_s or m₂t_f for individual birds. We discuss the limits of optimal foraging models for air-breathing divers caused by individual variation. Copyright 2003 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd on behalf of The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.      

Sap flow in Scots pines growing under conditions of year-round carbon dioxide enrichment and temperature elevation

Starting in rrrr, individual trees of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) aged 30 years were grown in closed-top chambers and exposed to normal ambient conditions (CON), elevated CO₂ (Elev. C), elevated temperature (Elev. T) and a combination of elevated CO₂ and temperature (Elev. C + T). Using the constant-power heat balance method, sap flow was monitored simultaneously in a total of 16 trees, four for each treatment, over a 32 d period (after the completion of needle expansion and branch elongation in 1997). An overall variation in diurnal sap flow totals (F_t) was evident during the period of measurement (days 167–198, 1997) regardless of the treatments, with a range from 0·15 to 2·82 kg tree^–1 d^–1. Elev. C reduced F_t by 4·1–13·7% compared with CON on most days (P varies from 0·042 to 0·108), but slightly increased it on some days (P≥ 0·131), depending on the weather conditions. Although the decrease in F_t caused by Elev. C was statistically significant on only a few days (P≤ 0·042), the cumulative F_t for the 32 d decreased by 14·4% (P = 0·047), indicating that Elev. C may have an important influence on seasonal water use of the Scots pine. Analysis of the diurnal courses of sap flow combined with corresponding weather factors indicated that the CO₂-induced decrease in F_t could be largely attributed to an increase in stomatal sensitivity to vapour pressure deficit (VPD), whereas the CO₂-induced increase in F_t related to an increase in stomatal sensitivity to low light levels. Elev. T increased F_t by 11·2–35·6% throughout the measuring period and the cumulative F_t for the 32 d by 32·5% (P = 0·019), which could be largely attributed to the temperature-induced increase in current-year needle area and decrease in stomatal sensitivity to high levels of VPD. There were no significant interactive effects of CO₂ and temperature on sap flow, so that Elev. C + T had approximately the same F_t as Elev. T and similar diurnal patterns of sap flow, suggesting that the temperature factor played a dominant role in the case of Elev. C + T.     

Identification and fine mapping of a thermo-sensitive chlorophyll deficient mutant in rice (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oryza sativa </Emphasis>L.)

A thermo-sensitive chlorophyll deficient mutant was isolated from more than 15,000 transgenic rice lines. The mutant displayed normal phenotype at 23°C or lower temperature (permissive temperature). However, when grown at 26°C or higher (nonpermissive temperature) the plant exhibited an abnormal phenotype characterized by yellow green leaves. Genetic analysis revealed that a single nuclear-encoded recessive gene is responsible for the mutation, which is tentatively designed as cde1(t) (chlorophyll deficient 1, temporally). PCR analysis and hygromycin resistance assay indicated the mutation was not caused by T-DNA insertion. To isolate the cde1(t) gene, a map-based cloning strategy was employed and 15 new markers (five SSR and ten InDels markers) were developed. A high-resolution physical map of the chromosomal region around the cde1(t) gene was made using F₂ and F₃ population consisting of 1,858 mutant individuals. Finally, the cde1(t) gene was mapped in 7.5 kb region between marker ID10 and marker ID11 on chromosome 2. Sequence analysis revealed only one candidate gene, OsGluRS, in the 7.5 kb region. Cloning and sequencing of the target region from the cde1(t) mutant showed that a missense mutation occurred in the mutant. So the OsGluRS gene (TIGR locus Os02 g02860) which encode glutamyl-tRNA synthetase was identified as the Cde1(t) gene.     

Analysis of initial chlorophyll fluorescence induction kinetics in chloroplasts in terms of rate constants of donor side quenching release and electron trapping in photosystem II

The fluorescence induction F(t) of dark-adapted chloroplasts has been studied in multi-turnover 1 s light flashes (MTFs). A theoretical expression for the initial fluorescence rise is derived from a set of rate equations that describes the sequence of transfer steps associated with the reduction of the primary quinone acceptor Q _A and the release of photochemical fluorescence quenching of photosystem II (PSII). The initial F(t) rise in the hundreds of μs time range is shown to follow the theoretical function dictated by the rate constants of light excitation (k _L) and release of donor side quenching (k _si ). The bi-exponential function shows sigmoidicity when one of the two rate constants differs by less than one order of magnitude from the other. It is shown, in agreement with the theory, that the sigmoidicity of the fluorescence rise is variable with light intensity and mainly, if not exclusively, determined by the ratio between rate of light excitation and the rate constant of donor side quenching release.     

Photosynthesis in dynamic light: systems biology of unconventional chlorophyll fluorescence transients in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803

Photosynthetic organisms live in a dynamic environment where light typically fluctuates around a mean level that is slowly drifting during the solar day. We show that the far-from-equilibrium photosynthesis occurring in a rapidly fluctuating light differs vastly from the stationary-flux photosynthesis attained in a constant or slowly drifting light. Photosynthetic organisms in a static or slowly drifting light can be characterized by a steady-state quantum yield of chlorophyll fluorescence emission F′ that is changing linearly with small and slow variations of the incident irradiance I+ΔI(t): F′(I+ΔI(t))≈ F_mean^′(dF)/(dI)·ΔI(t). In Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, the linear approximation holds for an extended interval covering largely the static irradiance range experienced by the cyanobacteria in nature. The photosynthetic dynamism and, consequently, the dynamism of the chlorophyll fluorescence emission change dramatically when exposing the organism to a fluctuating irradiance. Harmonically-modulated irradiance I+ΔI · sin(2πt/T), T ≈ 1–25 s induces perpetual, far-from-equilibrium forced oscillations that are strongly non-linear, exhibiting significant hysteresis with multiple fluorescence levels corresponding to a single instantaneous level of the incident irradiance. We propose that, in nature, the far-from-equilibrium dynamic phenomena represent a significant correction to the steady-state photosynthetic activity that is typically investigated in laboratory. Analysis of the forced oscillations by the tools of systems biology suggests that the dynamism of photosynthesis observed in fluctuating light can be explained by a delayed action of regulatory agents.     

Identification of two major resistance genes against race IE-1k of Magnaporthe oryzae in the indica rice cultivar Zhe733

The race IE-1k of Magnaporthe oryzae recovered from the Southern US overcomes the resistance (R) gene Pita. The objectives of the present study were to identify and tag R genes to IE-1k for rice breeding. TM2, S1, 94071, and B isolates of the race IE-1k were used to identify and map R genes from a resistant indica rice cultivar Zhe733 using a recombinant inbred line population from a cross of the genetic stock KBNTlpa1-1 and Zhe733. The ratio of 3 resistant:1 susceptible in 162 RIL of an F_10-11 KBNTlpa1-1/Zhe733 (K/Z) population indicated that two major R genes in Zhe733 confer resistance to IE-1k. A total of 118 polymorphic simple sequence repeat markers were analyzed in 162 F_10-11 individuals of the K/Z population to determine chromosomal locations of the loci conferring resistance to race IE-1k using composite interval mapping. Two major R genes temporarily designated as Pi42(t) and Pi43(t) each providing complete resistance to IE-1k were identified on chromosomes 8 and 11, respectively. RILs containing Pi42(t) and Pi43(t) were also resistant to other US races IB-1, IB-45, IB-49, IB-54, IC-17, IE-1, IG-1, and IH-1. The Pi42(t) gene was mapped between RM310 and RM72, and the location of Pi43(t) was closely associated with two flanking SSR markers RM1233 and RM224 on chromosome 11 in a chromosomal region carrying the resistance gene Pi1. Two molecular markers RM72 and RM1233 identified in this study should be useful for fine mapping and for facilitating incorporation of Pi42(t) and Pi43(t) into advanced breeding lines by marker-assisted selection. The authors S. Lee and Y. Wamishe contribute equally to this work.     

Recovery rates of chlorophyll-fluorescence parameters in desiccation-tolerant plants: fitted logistic curves as a versatile and robust source of comparative data

Desiccation-tolerant plants vary greatly in the rate of recovery of chlorophyll-fluorescence parameters on re-wetting. This paper seeks general curves that will adequately describe the course of recovery, and quantify the variations in rate within and between species. Recovery of F _v /F _m is closely fitted in many species by a logistic curve, starting from zero, on a logarithmic time-scale (seconds to days). Such curves have three parameters, an asymptote at maximum F _v /F _m, a half-recovery time (T _0.5), and a slope constant (S). If F _v /F _m in dry material differs substantially from zero, four-parameter logistic curves can give a better fit. In either case, T _0.5 and S show wide ecologically-significant variation. Some species show anomalously high values of F _v /F _m in the early minutes of recovery, alongside low absolute values of F _m; these invite further investigation. Logistic curves give good fits to the recovery in light of Φ _PSII, q _P, and photosynthetic CO₂ fixation. The results provide the means to quantify ‘high-inertia’ versus ‘low-inertia’ strategies of desiccation tolerance, and to explore the factors influencing recovery time and rate, and the reasons for some discrepancies from the common course of recovery. There is substantial overlap in all parameters between the bryophytes and pteridophytes studied.     

Effect of serum concentration on production of monoclonal antibodies and on shear sensitivity of a hybridoma

The effect of serum content of culture medium on the specific production rate of monoclonal antibodies (Mab's) and on shear sensitivity has been studied with hybridoma's, cultured in a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR). No decrease in specific Mab-production was found when the serum concentration was reduced from 10 to 2.5%, while steady state cell concentrations were hardly affected as well. In contrast the cell death rate in a bubble column strongly increased when the serum concentration was lowered, which could be ascribed to a reduced physical protective effect by the serum.List of Symbols k _d s^–1 death-rate constant - k _g s^–1 growth-rate constant - D m diameter of bubble column - d m diameter of air bubble - H m height of bubble column - X m³ hypothetical killing volume - X (m³/m³) specific hypothetical killing volume - F m³/s volumetric air-flow rate - C cells/m³ number of viable cells - C₀ cells/m³ number of viable cells at t=0 - t s time     

The S-Distribution: Approximation of Discrete Distributions

The S-distribution is defined by the ordinary differential equation dF/dX = α(F^g — F^h F_o = F(X_o), where F is the cumulative distribution of the random variable X, and α, g, h, and F_o are parameters. The S-distribution was recently described in this journal as a tool for the approximation and classification of univariate, unimodal continuous probability distributions. This article shows that the S-distribution rather accurately models the commonly used univariate discrete distributions.     

Sleep Patterns of Day-Working,Evening High-Schooled Adolescents of São Paulo,Brazil

Children who grow up in developing countries of the world must work to help financially support their families, and they must also attend school. We investigated the impact of work on the sleep of working vs. nonworking high school students. Twenty-seven São Paulo, Brazil, public high school students (eight male and eight female working students plus six nonworking female and five nonworking male students) 14–18 yrs of age who attended school Monday–Friday between 19:00 to 22:30 h participated. A comprehensive questionnaire about work and living conditions, health status, and diseases and their symptoms was also answered. The activity level and rest pattern (sleep at night and napping during the day) were continuously assessed by wrist actigraphy (Ambulatory Monitoring, USA). The main variables were analyzed by a two-factor ANOVA with application of the Tukey HSD test for multiple comparisons, and the length of sleep during weekdays vs. weekends was compared by Student t-test. Working students went to sleep earlier weekends [F_(1,23) = 6.1; p = 0.02] and woke up earlier work days than nonworking students [F_(1,23) = 17.3; p = 0.001]. The length of nighttime sleep during weekdays was shorter among all the working [F_(1,23) = 16.7; p < 0.001] than all the nonworking students. The sleep duration of boys was shorter than of girls during weekends [F_(1,23) = 10.8; p < 0.001]. During weekdays, the duration of napping by working and nonworking male students was shorter than nonworking female students. During weekdays, working girls took the shortest naps [F_(1,23) = 5.6; p = 0.03]. The most commonly reported sleep complaint during weekdays was difficulty waking up in the morning [F_(1,23) = 6.5; p = 0.02]. During weekdays, the self-perceived sleep quality of working students was worse than nonworking students [F_(1,23) = 6.2; p = 0.02]. The findings of this study show that work has negative effects on the sleep of adolescents, with the possible build-up of a chronic sleep debt with potential consequent impact on quality of life and school learning.     

A model of photosystem II for the analysis of fast fluorescence rise in plant leaves

The polyphasic patterns of fluorescence induction rise in pea leaves in vivo and after the treatment with ionophores have been studied using a Plant Efficiency Analyzer. To analyze in detail photosystem II (PS II) electron transfer processes, an extended PS II model was applied, which included the sums of exponential functions to specify explicitly the light-driven formation of the transmembrane electric potential (ΔΨ(t)) as well as pH in the lumen (pH_L(t)) and stroma (pH_S(t)). PS II model parameters and numerical coefficients in ΔΨ(t), pH_L(t), and pH_S(t) were evaluated to fit fluorescence induction data for different experimental conditions: leaf in vivo or after ionophore treatment at low or high light intensity. The model imitated changes in the pattern of fluorescence induction rise due to the elimination of transmembrane potential in the presence of ionophores, when ΔΨ = 0 and pH_L(t), pH_S(t) changed to small extent relative to control values in vivo, with maximum ΔΨ(t) ∼ 90 mV and ΔΨ(t) ∼ 40 mV for the stationary state at ΔpH ≅ 1.8. As the light intensity was increased from 300 to 1200 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹, the heat dissipation rate constants increased threefold for nonradiative recombination of P680⁺Phe⁻ and by ∼30% for P680⁺Q_A⁻. The parameters ΔΨ, pH_S and pH_L were analyzed as factors of PS II redox state populations and fluorescence yield. The kinetic mechanism of fluorescence quenching is discussed, which is related with light-induced lumen acidification, when ⁺Q_A⁻ and P680⁺ recombination probability increases to regulate the Q_A reduction.     

The Effect of Downy and Powdery Mildew on Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) Leaf Gas Exchange

The impact of powdery (Uncinula necator) and downy mildew (Plasmopara viticola) on grapevine leaf gas exchange was analysed. Gas exchange measurements (assimilation A, transpiration E, stomatal conductance g_s, intercellular concentration of CO₂C_i) were made on three different leaf materials: (i) healthy tissue of diseased leaves, (ii) infected tissue of diseased leaves, (iii) healthy tissue of healthy leaves (control treatment). Using the same source of leaf tissue, photosynthetic pigment concentration (chlorophyll a, b) and fluorescence levels (minimal fluorescence F₀, maximal fluorescence F_m and the optimal quantum yield [F_m ? F₀]/F_m) were determined to explain the mechanism of action of the two diseases on leaf assimilation. The results indicated that powdery and downy mildew reduced the assimilation rates, not only through a reduction in green leaf area (visual lesions), but also through an influence on gas exchange of the remaining green leaf tissues, determining a ‘virtual lesion’. The ratios between virtual and visual lesions were higher in powdery mildewed leaves than in the downy mildewed leaves. The photosynthetic fluorescence level (F_v/F_m) was affected by neither of the two pathogens. The reduction in intercellular concentration of CO₂ and photosynthetic pigment may explain the lower assimilation rates in the healthy tissues of powdery and downy mildewed leaves respectively.     

Molecular-Dynamics Simulations for the Density Autocorrelation Function in a Supercooled Fluid Phase

Abstract

We have re-calculated the self part of the density autocorrelation function F_s(k, t) (incoherent scattering function) for the binary soft-sphere fluid with a much longer molecular-dynamics (MD) simulation than our previous MD calculations, and with a larger system size (N = 4000) to a longer time window as well as to study a system-size dependence, if it exists. The full density autocorrelation function F(k, t) was also computed. It is found that all F(k, t)'s that we have computed in this work can be fitted over a wide range of time steps (at least over three figures of the decay) by a Williams-Watts stretched exponential function F_s(k, t) = A exp [— (t/t ₀)^β], where A, β and t ₀ are adjustable parameters. Other significant dynamical behaviours were also presented in mean square displacements and non-Gaussian parameters for highly supercooled fluids with N = 4000. The present results are compatible to our previous computations with N = 500, but a significant size dependence is suggested.     

Measurements of the gas temperature in an oxygen plasma by spectroscopy of the O2( b 1Σ g+ ) → O2( X 3Σ g? ) transition

A method for measuring the gas temperature in an oxygen plasma by spectroscopy of the electronic transition from the O₂(b ¹Σ _g ⁺ , v = 0) metastable state of molecular oxygen into the O₂(X ³Σ _g ⁻ , v = 0) ground state is considered in detail. The method is verified experimentally for the plasma of dc glow discharge in pure oxygen. It is shown that the gas temperature can be determined by analyzing high-resolution spectra of the P branch of this transition, no matter whether its fine structure (^P P and ^P Q branches) is resolved or masked, provided that the rotational structure of the spectrum is resolved. The feasibility of the method proposed in 1999 by P. Maco and P. Veis for determining the gas temperature from the ratio between the intensity maxima of the R and P branches of the O₂(b ¹Σ _g ⁺ , v = 0) → O₂(X ³Σ _g ⁻ , v = 0) transition in a poorly resolved spectrum was studied experimentally. It is shown that, in order to use this method, it is necessary to know the spectrograph instrumental function. The effect of the spatial inhomogeneity of the temperature and concentration of O₂(b ¹Σ _g ⁺ ) molecules on the accuracy of integral (over the plasma volume) measurements of the gas temperature is investigated using spatially resolved spectroscopy of the O₂(b ¹Σ _g ⁺ , v = 0) → O₂(X ³Σ _g ⁻ , v = 0) transition. It is shown that precise measurements of the temperature require that the optical measurement system be thoroughly adjusted in order for the temperature and concentration of the emitting particles to vary insignificantly over the optically selected volume. Original Russian Text ? S.M. Zyryanov, D.V. Lopaev, 2007, published in Fizika Plazmy, 2007, Vol. 33, No. 6, pp. 563–574.