Long Live the Plasma!

Another successful Plasma Club meeting has come and gone. Seven of us met at Squirrel's Tavern, and we covered a wide range of topics - from sample preparation to plasma-derived data. Jesse presented sediment geochemical data from the Chilean margin spanning the previous 30,000 years, and a set of data identifying a possible limitation on numbers obtained through microwave-assisted sediment digestions. The Chilean data spurred a lengthy discussion about possible basin-wide circulation changes in the Pacific throughout this time period, and the need to collaborate between groups to further investigate this question. Central to this discussion (and Jesse's data) was constraining the movement/expansion of the oxygen minimum zone on the Eastern Pacific rim.

The importance of dissolved oxygen was also observed in the life cycle of yeast, Sacchromyces cerevisiae. More dissolved oxygen means a bigger starting colony of yeast, which leads to a more successful fermentation.

Ting showed her understanding of geometry and physics by picking up the pool cue for the first time and giving us all a run for our money. Watch out for her!

All involved are looking forward to the next successful meeting. Hopefully next time Geosciences won't schedule their seminar during PlasmaClub, so that they can attend as well.

--Your VP, Jesse Muratli

Plasma Club Meeting

Everyone,

We've cleared it with Greg to have our meeting at Squirrels Tavern, that's on 2nd and Monroe, at 3:30 PM on Thursday, January 31st.

We'll have a couple of short talks, one from Ting and one from myself, so take good notes as there may be a test.

Bring some quarters too, for the pool table. Klinkhammer is rarin' to shoot some pool empirically derive the coefficient of friction between felt and phenolic resin!

Your VP,
Jesse Muratli