Conservation status of the blind mole rat populations in Hungary (Rodentia: Spalacinae: Nannospalax) revisited.

Regular reviews of long-term research and conservation programs are useful sources of information for future directions in science and for the assessment of current conservation status of taxa. In this paper, we compiled all available data from the last 10 years related to Hungarian blind mole rat populations and assessed this information according to the following main themes: systematics, distribution and threats, and conservation actions. Based on the most recent information, national and global risk assessments are provided for the three species of Nannospalax (N.

An optical trapping system for particle probes in plasma diagnostics.

We present one of the first experiments for optically trapping of single microparticles as probes for low temperature plasma diagnostics. Based on the dual laser beam, counter-propagating technique, SiO microparticles are optically trapped at very large distances in low-temperature, low-pressure rf plasma. External forces on the particle are measured by means of the displacement of the probe particle in the trap.

Light-Controlled Conductance Switching in Azobenzene-Containing MWCNT-Polymer Nanocomposites.

We report on reversible light-controlled conductance switching in devices consisting of multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)-polymer nanocomposites blended with azobenzene molecules and photoisomerization of the latter. Both the azobenzene molecules and MWCNT, which are functionalized with carboxyl groups (MWCNT-COOH), are embedded independently in a poly(methyl methacrylate) matrix, and thin films are prepared by using a simple spin-coating technique. We demonstrate the feasibility of the present concept with a photocurrent switching amplitude of almost 10%.

An experiment for the investigation of forces on microparticles in ion beams.

A novel experiment for the study of forces on microparticles in ion beams is presented. A broad beam ion source provides a vertically upward directed beam wherein 100 microm hollow glass spheres are injected. The particles are illuminated by a diode laser and recorded with a charge-coupled device camera.