bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vibronically and spin-orbit coupled diabatic potentials for X(P) + CH4 → HX + CH3 reactions: General theory and application for X(P) = F(2P)
Authors: Lenzen Tim , Manthe Uwe
Published: February 2019

An approach to systematically construct vibronically and spin-orbit coupled diabatic potential energy surfaces (PESs) for X(P) + CH4 → HX + CH3 reactions is proposed. Permutational symmetry and permutational invariants of the S4 group and its S3 and S2 × S2 subgroups are used to construct a diabatic model which properly describes the reaction starting from reactants to products. As a first example, the approach is applied to the construction of diabatic potentials for the F(2P) + CH4 → HF + CH3 reaction. The description of the entrance channel relies on a set of vibronically and spin-orbit coupled diabatic PESs previously developed by Westermann et al. [Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 53, 1122 (2014)]. The same set of diabatic electronic states is also used in the transition state region and all four exit channels. There the lowest adiabatic PES derived from the diabatic model reproduces the CSBB-PES of Czakó et al. [J. Chem. Phys. 130, 084301 (2009)]. Interesting aspects of the newly developed diabatic potential matrix and the corresponding adiabatic PESs are discussed.
Suppression of non-radiative recombination toward high efficiency perovskite light-emitting diodes
Authors: Liu Yuqiang , Wu Tian , Liu Yuan , Song Tao , Sun Baoquan
Published: February 2019

Nickel oxide (NiO) would be an alternative hole transport layer for perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs). However, the performances of NiO-based PeLEDs are still inferior due to the adverse non-radiative recombination at the interface. Here, a poly(9-vinlycarbazole) (PVK) layer is inserted between the perovskite and the NiO film. The photoluminescence quantum yield is dramatically enhanced from 23% to 54% in the presence of PVK layer owing to suppression of the non-radiative recombination. Combined with the favorable hole injection from the ladder energy band scheme of NiO/PVK layer, an external quantum efficiency of 11.2% for a green PeLED is achieved. This work demonstrates the importance of interface control to boost the radiative recombination rate for high performance PeLEDs.
A flexible rheometer design to measure the visco-elastic response of soft solids over a wide range of frequency
Authors: Rolley Etienne , Snoeijer Jacco H. , Andreotti Bruno
Published: February 2019

We present a flexible setup for determining the rheology of visco-elastic materials which is based on the mechanical response of a magnet deposited at the surface of a slab of material and excited electromagnetically. An interferometric measurement of the magnet displacement allows one to reach an excellent accuracy over a wide range of frequency. Except for the magnet, there is no contact between the material under investigation and the apparatus. At low frequency, inertial effects are negligible so that the mechanical response, obtained through a lock-in amplifier, directly gives the material complex modulus. At high frequency, damped waves are emitted and the rheology must be extracted numerically from a theoretical model. To validate the design, the instrument was used to measure the rheology of a test polydimethylsiloxane gel which presents an almost perfect scale free response at high frequency.
Construction of a hybrid clamped cell for high-pressure neutron-diffraction experiments with a large diamond window
Authors: Benz S. , Möller A. , Marioneck T. , Hofmann M. , Brenk J. , Dronskowski R.
Published: February 2019

A hybrid pressure cell was fabricated from commercially available copper-beryllium and custom-made Ni-Cr-Al Russian alloy, tailored for usage as a reaction vessel supplying a volume of about 400 mm3. In order to directly (in situ) monitor pressure and chemical reactions within the chamber, a large diamond window suitable for spectroscopic sample analysis was implemented. The performance of the hybrid cell was validated from high-pressure neutron-diffraction measurements on carbon dioxide.
Impact of SiGe layer thickness in starting substrates on strained Ge-on-insulator pMOSFETs fabricated by Ge condensation method
Authors: Jo Kwang-Won , Kim Wu-Kang , Takenaka Mitsuru , Takagi Shinichi
Published: February 2019

We study the impact of the SiGe thickness in starting substrates composed of Si/Si0.25Ge0.75/SOI(100) structures for the Ge condensation process on the resulting Ge-on-insulator (GOI) film properties. We evaluate the physical properties of the GOI films using AFM and Raman spectroscopy. It is found that 10-nm-thick GOI films with higher compressive strain (εc = 1.75%) and more uniform spatial strain distribution are obtained for 40 nm-thick-Si0.75Ge0.25 through a Ge condensation process with slow cooling than 60 nm-thick-SiGe. This suppression of strain relaxation is due to the lower total strain energy by the thinner SiGe layer. By using this GOI substrate, 10-nm-thick GOI p-channel metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistors (pMOSFETs) are demonstrated with the high performance of μh = 467 cm2 V−1 s−1 and Ion/Ioff > 7.2 × 105. The effective hole mobility of the 10 nm-thick GOI pMOSFET increases significantly with reducing measurement temperature from 298 K to 100 K, indicating the high contribution of phonon scattering to the mobility.
Extraction of source functions of surface photovoltage transients at very short times
Authors: Dittrich Th. , Garcia Vera O. , Fengler S. , Pineda S. , Bönisch S.
Published: February 2019

The measurement of surface photovoltage (SPV) transients over 12 orders of magnitude in time was recently demonstrated [Rev. Sci. Instrum. 88, 053904 (2017)]. In dedicated experiments, however, a high-impedance buffer shall be placed outside the measurement chamber, which has consequences for SPV measurements at very short times. By varying the LCR circuit of a measurement configuration, applying a multi-parameter fit and simulating the corresponding SPV transients, we show, on the examples of highly doped silicon and a CdS thin film, that the source function of SPV transients can be reconstructed with a resolution time better than 1 ns.
Chemical vapor deposition synthesis of graphene films
Authors: Qing Fangzhu , Hou Yuting , Stehle Richard , Li Xuesong
Published: February 2019

Chemical vapor deposition synthesis of graphene films has developed over the past decade and has been used in both academia and industry. This perspective discusses the major areas of focus for this topic, including the recent achievements and the challenges to be overcome.
Direct observation of spatial distribution of carrier localization sites in ultrathin GaN/AlN quantum wells by spreading resistance microscopy
Authors: Sviridov D. E. , Jmerik V. N. , Rouvimov S. , Nechaev D. V. , Kozlovsky V. I. , Ivanov S. V.
Published: February 2019

Spreading resistance microscopy (SRM) was used to study nanoscale variations in electronic and structural properties of an ultrathin near-surface GaN/AlN quantum well (QW). In the SRM images of the growth surface of the GaN/AlN QW heterostructure, an inhomogeneous current contrast was detected in the form of disk-like regions of increased conductivity with the sizes in the range of 50–160 nm and a density of ∼1.7 × 109 cm−2. Analysis of the current contrast dependence on the polarity of the sample dc bias and the growth surface morphology revealed that these regions are the GaN islands of various thicknesses. These islands spread predominantly within the crystal grains rather than along their boundaries and represent electron localization sites in the QW plane. The results demonstrate the applicability of SRM as an express and non-destructive technique to delineate quantitatively in-plane fluctuations in the electronic and structural properties of near-surface GaN/AlN QWs with a high spatial resolution of ∼10 nm.
Assessing the electro-deformation and electro-poration of biological cells using a three-dimensional finite element model
Authors: Shamoon D. , Dermol-Černe J. , Rems L. , Reberšek M. , Kotnik T. , Lasquellec S. , Brosseau C. , Miklavčič D.
Published: February 2019

In this Letter, we explore how cell electro-deformation and electro-poration are connected. We build a time-domain model of layered concentric shells (a model of biological cells) including their dielectric and elastic properties. We simulate delivery of one trapezoidal voltage pulse to either a single spherical cell or an assembly of three neighboring cells in a specific configuration and calculate cell deformation and pore formation. We describe the qualitative features of the electric field, surface charge density, transmembrane voltage, cell elongation, and pore density distribution at specific times i.e., before, during and after the application of the electric pulse and explore the correlations between them. Our results show that (1) the polarization charge redistribution plays a significant role in the spatial distribution of electrical stresses at μs time scales and (2) the cell deformation and pore density can be correlated with regions of high surface charge density. In future work, our model could be used for understanding basic mechanisms of electro-deformation and electro-poration with high-frequency short bipolar pulses of biological cells in suspension or tissues.
Dynamics of soliton solutions of the nonlocal Kundu-nonlinear Schrödinger equation
Authors: Shi Xujie , Li Jie , Wu Chengfa
Published: February 2019

In this paper, we investigate the nonlocal Kundu-nonlinear Schrödinger (Kundu-NLS) equation, which can be obtained from the reduction of the coupled Kundu-NLS system. Based on the analysis of the eigenfunctions, a Riemann-Hilbert problem is constructed to derive the N-soliton solutions of the coupled Kundu-NLS system. The N-soliton solutions of the nonlocal Kundu-NLS equation are then deduced with properly chosen symmetry relations on the scattering data. The dynamics of the solitons in the nonlocal Kundu-NLS equation are explored. The impact of the gauge function on the solitons is displayed for one-solitons. Compared with the dynamics of the two-solitons in the local Kundu-NLS equation, the two-solitons in the nonlocal Kundu-NLS equation display many differences. The repeated collapsing is a common feature of the singular solitons, and it seems that some of them are not the superposition of one-solitons. The singular solitons exhibit various behaviors in different eigenvalue configurations in the spectral space. Besides that, three kinds of bounded solutions are presented according to these eigenvalue configurations. In addition, two kinds of degenerate solutions are presented, and in particular, the positon solutions are discussed in detail. The decomposition of the positon solutions is analyzed and their trajectories are given approximately.
Macromolecular tumbling and wobbling in large-amplitude oscillatory shear flow
Authors: Jbara Layal M. , Giacomin A. Jeffrey
Published: February 2019

For a suspension of rigid dumbbells, in any simple shear flow, we recently solved for the diffusion equation for the orientation distribution function by a power series expansion in the shear rate magnitude. In this paper, we focus specifically on large-amplitude oscillatory shear flow, for which we extend the orientation distribution function to the 6th power of the shear rate amplitude. We arrive at the Fourier solution for each harmonic contribution to the total orientation distribution function, separating each harmonic into its coefficients in and out-of-phase with cos nωt, ψn′ and ψn″, respectively. We plot, for the first time, the evolving normalized alternant macromolecular orientation. Moreover, to deepen our understanding of the macromolecular motions, we distinguish and study the two types of possible rotations, tumbling and wobbling.
Efficient HF exchange evaluation through Fourier convolution in Cartesian grid for orbital-dependent density functionals
Authors: Ghosal Abhisek , Mandal Tanmay , Roy Amlan K.
Published: February 2019

We present a purely numerical approach in a Cartesian grid, for efficient computation of the Hartree-Fock (HF) exchange contribution in the HF and density functional theory models. This takes inspiration from a recently developed algorithm by Liu et al., in 2017, where the rate-determining step is the accurate evaluation of electrostatic potential. This introduces the Fourier convolution theorem in conjunction with a range-separated Coulomb interaction kernel. The latter is efficiently mapped into a real grid through a simple optimization procedure, giving rise to a constraint in the range-separated parameter. The overall process offers logarithmic scaling with respect to the molecular size. It is then extended toward global hybrid functionals such as B3LYP, PBE0, and BHLYP within pseudopotential Kohn-Sham theory, through an LCAO-MO ansatz in a Cartesian grid, developed earlier in our laboratory. For the sake of comparison, a parallel semi-numerical approach has also been worked out that exploits the familiar Obara-Saika recursion algorithm without any additional techniques. An excellent agreement between these two routes is demonstrated through total energy and orbital energy in a series of atoms and molecules (including 10 π-electron molecules), employing an LANL2DZ-type basis function. A critical analysis of these two algorithms reveals that the proposed numerical scheme could lead to very attractive and competitive scaling. The success of our approach also enables us for further development of optimally tuned range-separated hybrid and hyper functionals.
Fragility and robustness of self-sustained oscillations in an epidemiological model on small-world networks
Authors: Tang Guo-Mei , Wu Zhi-Xi
Published: February 2019

We investigate the susceptible-infected-recovered-susceptible epidemic model, typical of mathematical epidemiology, with the diversity of the durations of infection and recovery of the individuals on small-world networks. Infection spreads from infected to healthy nodes, whose infection and recovery periods denoted by τI and τR, respectively, are either fixed or uniformly distributed around a specified mean. Whenever τI and τR are narrowly distributed around their mean values, the epidemic prevalence in the stationary state is found to reach its maximal level in the typical small-world region. This non-monotonic behavior of the final epidemic prevalence is thought to be similar to the efficient navigation in small worlds with cost minimization. Besides, pronounced oscillatory behavior of the fraction of infected nodes emerges when the number of shortcuts on the underlying network become sufficiently large. Remarkably, we find that the synchronized oscillation of infection incidences is quite fragile to the variability of the two characteristic time scales τI and τR. Specifically, even in the limit of a random network (where the amplest oscillations are expected to arise for fixed τI and τR), increasing the variability of the duration of the infectious period and/or that of the refractory period will push the system to change from a self-sustained oscillation to a fixed point with negligible fluctuations in the steady state. Interestingly, negative correlation between τI and τR can give rise to the robustness of the self-sustained oscillatory phenomenon. Our findings thus highlight the pivotal role of, apart from the external seasonal driving force and demographic stochasticity, the intrinsic characteristic of the system itself in understanding the cycle of outbreaks of recurrent epidemics.
Origin of biquadratic interlayer exchange coupling in Co2MnSi-based current-perpendicular-to-plane pseudo spin valves
Authors: Inoue Masaki , Inubushi Kazuumi , Mouri Daiki , Tanimoto Tessei , Nakada Katsuyuki , Kondo Kenji , Yamamoto Masafumi , Uemura Tetsuya
Published: February 2019

We fabricated current-perpendicular-to-plane pseudo spin valves (CPP PSVs) having Co2MnαSi0.82 electrodes with various Mn compositions, α, and an Ag spacer and investigated the strength of biquadratic interlayer exchange coupling (90° coupling) in the CPP PSVs by comparing magnetoresistance characteristics and spin-transfer-torque induced magnetization switching characteristics. We experimentally found that (a) the strength of the 90° coupling increased as α increased, (b) it was weakened by insertion of an ultrathin CoFe layer between Co2MnSi (CMS) and the Ag spacer, resulting in the suppression of the 90° coupling at 290 K, and (c) it strongly depended on temperature. These results clarify that the Mn atoms diffused into an Ag spacer with paramagnetic character are the origin of the 90° coupling in CMS-based CPP PSVs.
Inferring fuel areal density from secondary neutron yields in laser-driven magnetized liner inertial fusion
Authors: Davies J. R. , Barnak D. H. , Betti R. , Campbell E. M. , Glebov V. Yu. , Hansen E. C. , Knauer J. P. , Peebles J. L. , Sefkow A. B.
Published: February 2019

A technique to infer the areal density ρR of compressed deuterium (D) in cylindrical implosions from the ratio of secondary D–T (deuterium–tritium) neutrons to primary D–D neutrons is described and evaluated. For ρR to be proportional to the ratio of D–T to D–D yield, the increase in the D–T fusion cross-section with collisional slowing down of the tritium must be small, requiring ρR≪15T keV3/2 mg/cm2, where TkeV is the electron temperature in keV. The technique is applied to the results from laser-driven magnetized liner inertial fusion (MagLIF) targets on OMEGA, where ρR is certainly less than 4 mg/cm2. OMEGA MagLIF targets do not achieve a sufficiently high, radially integrated, axial magnetic field BR to confine the tritium, as occurs in Z MagLIF targets, because they are ∼10× smaller in radius. The inferred areal densities show that fuel convergence is reduced by preheating, by an applied axial magnetic field, and by increasing the initial fuel density, which are key features of the MagLIF scheme. The results are compared with 1-D and 2-D magnetohydrodynamic simulations for nominal laser and target parameters, which predict areal densities 2× to 3× higher than the measurements.
A simple, parameter-free method for computing solvation free energies of ions
Authors: Setiadi Jeffry , Kuyucak Serdar
Published: February 2019

Solvation free energies of ions are difficult to determine from molecular dynamics simulations due to the long-range Coulomb interactions. Various approximations and corrections are introduced to enable their calculation in small systems, which, however, raises issues of robustness. We show that solvation free energies of ions can be calculated using the spherical boundary conditions without introducing any corrections at the boundary via a buffer zone. The results are shown to converge for a droplet size of 21 Å and are independent of the parameters used for confining water or restraining the ion. The proposed method thus resolves the robustness issues in solvation free energy calculations of ions and can be used with confidence to determine force field parameters from such calculations. We apply the method to calculate the solvation free energies of the side chain analogs of charged amino acids. Tests using periodic boundary conditions show that similar results are also obtained in that case.
Stability of mud-water interface under long surface waves
Authors: Liu Jiebin , Zhou Jifu
Published: February 2019

Fluid mud often exists in coastal areas with an interface separating it from its upper water layer. When a surface wave propagates over a bed covered with water and fluid mud, it will cause an interfacial wave of the mud-water interface, which damps the surface wave and results in mass transport of fluid mud. Most researches about wave attenuation and mass transport of fluid mud are based on the assumption that the mud-water interface is unbroken. This assumption excludes the breaking interfacial waves that are known as an important mechanism responsible for mass and momentum transport between the two fluids. When the surface wave is long, its velocity field, which also serves as basic flows, may be susceptible to the Kelvin-Helmholtz (K-H) instability if the shears at the interface are strong enough. In the present paper, the critical conditions for the K-H instability to occur for the mud-water interface is investigated via linear stability analysis and numerical simulation. It is found that, for a K-H instability to occur, the Stokes boundary layer thickness induced by a surface wave must be large enough to penetrate the fluid mud layer and produce a strong shear at the interface. Meanwhile, a critical condition is found for a long surface wave to cause breakup of mud-water interface through K-H instability. This is practically instructive for waterway and harbor construction and protection because it predicts that a thicker mud layer is harder to be taken away by a surface wave.
Giant light deflection via electro-mechanical modulation of liquid crystals
Authors: Imamura Koki , Yoshida Hiroyuki , Ozaki Masanori
Published: February 2019

Liquid crystals (LCs) are matter with fluidity and anisotropy and have been used in various electro-optic devices for their capability to modulate the refractive index by voltage. Here, we show that LCs are capable of electro-mechanically modulating light to cause giant light deflection at low voltages (exceeding 64° at 1.0 V). We use a composite material where polymerized cholesteric LC particles that show optical Bragg reflection float in a nematic LC medium. The polymer-particles are elastically coupled with the host director through their surface molecular anchoring and rotate from a face-on to side-on configuration at the Frederik transition. Rigid-body rotation of the reflection plane causes light deflection, which is well reproducible and can be modelled theoretically. Our findings demonstrate the capability of LCs as a micro-electrical-mechanical system platform, which are potentially useful for large-area light-controlling applications.
Super plasticity in a cold-welded Al-Cu joint
Authors: Gao Jing , Wang Kaifeng , Fu Xiaoqian , Chen Sijing , Zhang Zijiao , Wang Qiannan , Li Jingjing , Yu Qian
Published: February 2019

The technology of welding dissimilar metals at the nanoscale is of importance in the fabrication of electronics. In this work, we achieved cold welding of aluminum (Al) and copper (Cu) nanowires by simple mechanical contact without extra heating and/or voltage applied in transmission electron microscopy (TEM). During the welding process, the welding surface gradually disappeared due to the significant inter-diffusion between Al and Cu under a relatively low pressure, which resulted in the formation of an Al/Cu solid solution and Al3Cu2 intermetallic compound. The following in-situ TEM tensile test revealed that the joint displayed super plasticity with a total elongation even beyond 100%. The corresponding plastic deformation was dominated by the partial dislocation glide and grain rotation. Our results not only shed light on developing the advanced welding technology for dissimilar metals at the nanoscale but also improved the understanding of the joint deformation mechanisms.
High resolution photoelectron imaging of boron-bismuth binary clusters: Bi2Bn− (n = 2–4)
Authors: Cheung Ling Fung , Czekner Joseph , Kocheril G. Stephen , Wang Lai-Sheng
Published: February 2019

Bismuth boride is a heavy member of the III-V semiconductors. Although there have been some theoretical interests in this material, it has not been synthesized experimentally. Here, we report a high-resolution photoelectron imaging study on a series of boron-bismuth binary clusters, Bi2Bn− (n = 2–4), produced by laser vaporization of a B/Bi mixed target. Vibrationally resolved photoelectron spectra are obtained for all three clusters, and the measured vibrational and electronic information is used to compare with theoretical calculations to understand their structures and bonding. Bi2B2− is found to be linear (D∞h, 2Πg) with a B2 unit and two terminal Bi atoms, while Bi2B3− is found to be planar (C2v, 1A1), consisting of a B3 triangle with two bridging Bi atoms. Interestingly, the spectra of Bi2B4− reveal two co-existing isomers; both are found to be planar and contain a rhombus B4 unit with two bridging Bi atoms in a trans (C2h, 2Au) and cis (C2v, 2B1) fashion separated only by 0.03 eV in energy. The interactions between the two Bi atoms and the Bn motifs are understood using chemical bonding analyses. This study shows that the Bi–B bonding is weak enough so that the Bn units maintain their structural integrity with the Bi atoms bonded to the cluster periphery only.
The role of incidence angle in the laser ablation of a planar target
Authors: Scheiner Brett , Schmitt Mark
Published: February 2019

The effect of the laser ray incidence angle on the mass ablation rate and ablation pressure of planar inertial confinement fusion (ICF) targets is explored. In this work, a modified version of the textbook model of laser ablation [Manheimer et al., Phys. Fluids 25, 1644 (1982)] is used to demonstrate that the mass ablation rate and ablation pressure scale with the 4/3 and 2/3 power of the cosine of the laser ray incidence angle relative to the target normal. Using an idealized planar model of ablation, it is demonstrated that constant irradiance is insufficient to produce similar velocities of a target when comparing cases driven at different incidence angles. Additionally, the effect of the incidence angle on the absorption fraction is demonstrated and it is shown that a longer duration is needed to achieve maximum absorption for greater angles. This further affects the mass ablation rate and ablation pressure in the first nanosecond of ablation. These results, when extrapolated, may provide insight into the variation of drive conditions encountered due to incidence in polar direct drive ICF.
Strange attractor existence for non-local operators applied to four-dimensional chaotic systems with two equilibrium points
Authors: Doungmo Goufo Emile F.
Published: February 2019

Not every chaotic system has the particularity of displaying attractors with a fractal structure. That is why strange attractors remain enthralling not only for their fractal structure, but also for their amazing chaotic and multi-scroll dynamics. In this work, we apply the non-local and non-singular kernel operator to a four-dimensional chaotic system with two equilibrium points and show the existence of various types of attractors, including the butterfly type and strange type. Recently, there have been virulent communications related to the validity or not of the index law in fractional differentiation with non-local operators. These discussions resulted in pointing out many important features of the Mittag-Leffler function used as kernel and suitable to describe more complex real world problems. This paper follows the same momentum by pointing out another important feature of the non-local and non-singular kernel operator applied to chaotic models. We solve the model numerically and discuss the bifurcation and period doubling dynamics that eventually lead to chaos (in the form of butterfly attractor). Lastly, we provide related numerical simulations which prove the existence of a chaotic fractal structure (strange attractors).
A fractional optimal control problem with final observation governed by wave equation
Authors: İğret Araz Seda
Published: February 2019

In this paper, we deal with the problem of controlling the source function for an optimal control problem involving the fractional wave equation. We show that an optimal solution exists and it is unique for the considered fractional optimal control problem. We calculate the Frechet derivative of the cost functional by means of an adjoint problem and derive necessary optimality conditions. Also, we introduce an efficient numerical approximation for the fractional wave equation with the Atangana-Baleanu derivative.
Night Parrot
Authors: Olsen Penny
Published: February 2019

For well over a century, the Night Parrot lured its seekers into Australia's vast, arid outback. From the beginning it was a mysterious bird. Fewer than 30 specimens were collected before it all but disappeared, offering only fleeting glimpses and the occasional mummified body as proof of its continued existence. Protected by spinifex and darkness, the parrot attained almost mythical status: a challenge to birdwatchers and an inspiration to poets, novelists and artists.
Night Parrot documents the competitiveness and secrecy, the triumphs and adventures of the history of the bird and its followers, culminating in the recent discovery of live birds at a few widely scattered locations. It describes what we are now unravelling about the mysteries of its biology and ecology and what is still left to learn. Complemented by guest essays, illustrations and photographs from a wide variety of sources, this book sheds light on Australia's most elusive bird.
Farming Meat Goats
Authors: Vincent Barbara
Published: February 2019

Goat meat is growing in popularity in Australia and is also an important export industry. It offers many opportunities for large- and small-scale farmers who need to diversify or seek alternative enterprises. Farming Meat Goats provides producers with comprehensive and practical information on all aspects of the goat meat industry. It covers selecting and preparing a property, choosing breeding stock, breeding, health care and nutrition, drought feeding, condition scoring and marketing.
This second edition of Farming Meat Goats has been updated throughout and contains new information about the National Livestock Identification System, current regulations for ovine Johne's disease and animal welfare during transportation, and information about marketing. It will allow farmers to produce animals to specification for targeted markets in Australia and overseas including: butchers; supermarkets; restaurants; on-farm live sales; sales to abattoirs that specialise in Halal kills; and breeding stock either as replacements or for improved herd genetics.
Birds in Their Habitats
Authors: Fraser Ian
Published: February 2019

Everywhere we go there are birds, and they all have mysteries to be unravelled. These mysteries include the way they look, from bizarre to apparently mundane, why they live where they live, and the things they do, many of which are far too incredible ever to be imagined as fiction.
Birds in Their Habitats is a collection of stories and experiences, which introduce fascinating aspects of birdlife, ecology and behaviour. Informed by a wealth of historical and contemporary research, Ian Fraser takes the reader on a journey through four continents: from places as unfamiliar as the Chonos Archipelago of southern Chile and the arid Sahel woodlands of northern Cameroon to those as familiar as a suburban backyard. This is a book of discovery of birds and the places they live. And with humour and personal insight, it is a book about the sometimes strange world of the people who spend a life absorbed in birds.
Tawny Frogmouth
Authors: Kaplan Gisela
Published: February 2019

The tawny frogmouth is one of Australia’s most intriguing and endearing birds. Written by award-winning author Gisela Kaplan, one of Australia’s leading authorities on animal behaviour and native birds, this second edition of Tawny Frogmouth presents an easy-to-read account of these unique nocturnal birds, which can be found across almost the entire continent. Fully revised and updated throughout, this book combines 20 years of systematic observation with published research and information from regional surveys, and represents the most comprehensive single study ever conducted on tawny frogmouths.
We learn that tawny frogmouths are very affectionate, have close bonds with lifelong partners, scream like prowling tomcats when distressed, fight with lightning speed and defend nest sites from reptilian predators by mobbing and spraying pungent faeces at them. Uncompromising male fights are contrasted with the touching gentleness of males as fathers. We also learn how resilient and unusual tawny frogmouths are in the way they cope with heat and cold and scarcity of water, sit out danger, and use a large variety of food items.
This fascinating book has a wide appeal to bird lovers, amateur ornithologists and naturalists, as well as those with a scientific or professional interest in native birds, their communication, emotions and skills.
Bees of Australia
Authors: Dorey James
Published: February 2019

Bees are the darlings of the insect world. It is a joy to see these insects hard at work, peacefully buzzing from flower to flower. Many people recognise the worth of bees, as well as that they face multiple threats. But very few know about the diversity and importance of our native bee species. There are an estimated 2000 to 3000 bee species in Australia, yet we know very little about the vast majority of these and there are many that are yet to be described.
Bees of Australia introduces some of our incredible native bees, many of which, if you look closely, can be found in your own garden. Open this book wherever you like or read it from cover to cover. The combination of photography and contributions from some of Australia’s leading bee researchers allows anyone to become enthralled by our native bees. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself looking closer at every flower that you pass in search of our wonderful native bees.
Bat's End
Authors: Woinarski John
Published: February 2019

On the evening of 26 August 2009, the last known pipistrelle emerges from its day-time shelter on Christmas Island. Scientists, desperate about its conservation, set up a maze of netting to try to catch it. It is a forlorn and futile exercise – even if captured, there is little future in just one bat. But the bat evades the trap easily, and continues foraging. It is not recorded again that night, and not at all the next night. The bat is never again recorded. The scientists search all nearby areas over the following nights. It has gone. There are no more bats. Its corpse is not, will never be, found. It is the silent, unobtrusive death of the last individual. It is extinction.
This book is about that bat, about those scientists, about that island. But mostly it is an attempt to understand that extinction; an unusual extinction, because it was predicted, witnessed and its timing is precise.
A Bat's End is a compelling forensic examination of the circumstances and players surrounding the extinction of the Christmas Island pipistrelle. A must-read for environmental scientists, policy-makers, and organisations and individuals with an interest in conservation.
Great Lizard Trek
Authors: Bradshaw Felicity , MacDonald Norma
Published: February 2019

Rocky, an ornate dragon, lives on granite rocks in the south-west of Australia. But further north, where it is getting hotter and wetter, his desert relatives are having trouble with their eggs. As the lizards trek through country in search of a new home, Rocky shares local Indigenous and Western understanding of these changing environments and the animals that live in them.
Written by Felicity Bradshaw, a retired Research Officer at University of Western Australia, and illustrated by Norma MacDonald, an Aboriginal Yamatji artist, The Great Lizard Trek will delight, entertain and inform primary aged children.
Restoring Farm Woodlands for Wildlife
Authors: Lindenmayer David , Michael Damian , Crane Mason , Florance Daniel , Burns Emma
Published: February 2019

Millions of hectares of temperate woodland and billions of trees have been cleared from Australia’s agricultural landscapes. This has allowed land to be developed for cropping and grazing livestock but has also had significant environmental impacts, including erosion, salinity and loss of native plant and animal species.
Restoring Farm Woodlands for Wildlife focuses on why restoration is important and describes best practice approaches to restore farm woodlands for birds, mammals and reptiles. Based on 19 years of long-term research in temperate agricultural south-eastern Australia, this book addresses practical questions such as what, where and how much to plant, ways to manage plantings and how plantings change over time. It will be a key reference for farmers, natural resource management professionals and policy-makers concerned with revegetation and conservation.
Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia
Authors: Cogger Harold
Published: February 2019

Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia is a complete guide to Australia’s rich and varied herpetofauna, including frogs, crocodiles, turtles, tortoises, lizards and snakes. For each of the 1218 species there is a description of its appearance, distribution and habits. These descriptions are also accompanied by distribution maps and, in many cases, one of the book's more than 1000 colour photographs of living animals.
The book also includes 130 simple-to-use dichotomous keys, accompanied by hundreds of explanatory drawings, that in most cases allow a specimen in hand to be identified. In addition, it has a comprehensive list of scientific references for those wishing to conduct more in-depth research, an extensive glossary, and basic guides to the collection, preservation and captive care of specimens.
This classic work was originally published in 1975. The updated seventh edition contains a new Appendix that discusses recent changes and lists over 80 new or resurrected species and genera that have been added to the Australian frog and reptile fauna since the 2014 edition.
Effects of cold-inducible RNA-binding protein on the proliferation and apoptosis of spermatogenic cells in vitro following heat stress
Authors: Cheng Guiping , Ke Dandan , Rao Meng , Hu Shifu , Wang Yingying , Zhou Fang , Liu Heyu , Zhu Changhong , Xia Wei
Published: February 2019

Cold-inducible RNA-binding protein (CIRBP) is reduced by scrotal hyperthermia in cryptorchidism, varicocoele and heat treatment, but there is no direct evidence clarifying the relationship between CIRBP and spermatogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of CIRBP in GC2-spd cells (a mouse spermatocyte cell line) before and after heat treatment, and to determine the effects of the downregulation or overexpression of CIRBP on spermatocyte cell proliferation and apoptosis. GC2-spd cells overexpressing CIRBP and GC2-spd cells in CIRBP was knocked down were constructed to investigate the function of CIRBP in cell proliferation and apoptosis using a cell counting kit-8 and flow cytometry respectively. In addition, proliferation and apoptosis were evaluated in GC2-spd cells that had been heated for 30 or 60min, and were analysed 12, 24, and 48h after heat treatment. Heat treatment clearly suppressed the proliferation of GC2-spd cells, and upregulation of CIRBP expression in GC2-spd cells promoted cell proliferation and decreased apoptosis before and after heat stress; in contrast, downregulation of CIRBP expression inhibited cell proliferation and increased apoptosis. These findings suggest that CIRBP exerts a protective effect against spermatogenic injury caused by heat stress.
Impacts of bracteole removal and seeding rate on seedling emergence of halophyte shrubs: implications for rangeland rehabilitation in arid environments
Authors: Louhaichi Mounir , Hassan Sawsan , Missaoui Ali Mekki , Ates Serkan , Petersen Steven L. , Niane Abdoul Aziz , Slim Slim , Belgacem Azaiez Ouled
Published: February 2019

Direct seeding techniques often result in unsatisfactory outcomes in rangeland rehabilitation, primarily because of low seedling emergence and poor establishment. Seed processing techniques aimed at improving seedling emergence have gained interest by pasture managers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the combined effects of bracteole removal and seeding rate on seedling emergence in seven halophytic species: Atriplex halimus, A. canescens, A. leucoclada, A. nummularia, A. lentiformis, Salsola vermiculata and Haloxylon aphyllum under semi-arid conditions in Tel Hadya (Syria). Each of these species was evaluated for seedling emergence under two seed treatments (bracteoles removed and non-removed bracteoles) with three seeding rates (10, 30 and 60 seeds per pot), in a completely randomised block design. The results showed a positive effect of seed treatment on seedling emergence for all studied species. The native A. halimus had the highest emergence percentages whereas the introduced A. mummularia, had the lowest. However, there were no significant effects of seeding rates on seedling emergence. These results showed that bracteole removal could improve germination and seedling emergence, and potentially increase the rate of establishment of the species studied. Therefore, when implementing rangeland rehabilitation projects, bracteole removal needs to be considered. The native S. vermiculata should be recommended for direct seeding in the West Asia and North Africa region given its high seedling emergence, known high palatability, nutritive value, and high auto-regeneration performance.
Chronic virus infection compromises memory bystander T cell function in an IL-6/STAT1-dependent manner
Authors: Barnstorf Isabel , Borsa Mariana , Baumann Nicolas , Pallmer Katharina , Yermanos Alexander , Joller Nicole , Spörri Roman , Welten Suzanne P.M. , Kräutler Nike J. , Oxenius Annette
Published: February 2019

Chronic viral infections are widespread among humans, with ∼8–12 chronic viral infections per individual, and there is epidemiological proof that these impair heterologous immunity. We studied the impact of chronic LCMV infection on the phenotype and function of memory bystander CD8+ T cells. Active chronic LCMV infection had a profound effect on total numbers, phenotype, and function of memory bystander T cells in mice. The phenotypic changes included up-regulation of markers commonly associated with effector and exhausted cells and were induced by IL-6 in a STAT1-dependent manner in the context of chronic virus infection. Furthermore, bystander CD8 T cell functions were reduced with respect to their ability to produce inflammatory cytokines and to undergo secondary expansion upon cognate antigen challenge with major cell-extrinsic contributions responsible for the diminished memory potential of bystander CD8+ T cells. These findings open new perspectives for immunity and vaccination during chronic viral infections.
Global virtual water trade and the hydrological cycle: patterns, drivers, and socio-environmental impacts
Authors: D’Odorico Paolo , Carr Joel , Dalin Carole , Dell’Angelo Jampel , Konar Megan , Laio Francesco , Ridolfi Luca , Rosa Lorenzo , Suweis Samir , Tamea Stefania , Tuninetti Marta
Published: February 2019

The increasing global demand for farmland products is placing unprecedented pressure on the global agricultural system and its water resources. Many regions of the world, that are affected by a chronic water scarcity relative to their population, strongly depend on the import of agricultural commodities and associated embodied (or virtual) water. The globalization of water through virtual water trade (VWT) is leading to a displacement of water use and a disconnection between human populations and the water resources they rely on. Despite the recognized importance of these phenomena in reshaping the patterns of water dependence through teleconnections between consumers and producers, their effect on global and regional water resources has just started to be quantified. This review investigates the global spatiotemporal dynamics, drivers, and impacts of VWT through an integrated analysis of surface water, groundwater, and root-zone soil moisture consumption for agricultural production; it evaluates how virtual water flows compare to the major ‘physical water fluxes’ in the Earth System; and provides a new reconceptualization of the hydrologic cycle to account also for the role of water redistribution by the hidden ‘virtual water cycle’.
Association Between Antipsychotics and All-Cause Mortality Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults
Authors: Kheirbek Raya Elfadel , Fokar Ali , Little John T , Balish Marshall , Shara Nawar M , Boustani Malaz A , Llorente Maria
Published: February 2019

Background

Antipsychotics are prescribed to treat various symptoms in older adults, however, their safety in this context has not been fully evaluated. The objective was to evaluate mortality risks associated with off-label use of antipsychotics among older adults with no preexisting mental illness or dementia relative to those with diagnosis of dementia.

Methods

Data (2007–2015) were derived from Department of Veterans Affairs registries for 730,226 patients (≥65 years) with no baseline serious mental illness, dementia). We estimated the cumulative incidence of antipsychotics prescription and 10-year all-cause mortality. The extended Cox models were used to estimate Hazard Ratios (HRs) associated with antipsychotics prescription, adjusted for time-varying covariates, dementia diagnosis, comorbidity index score, and age at time of first exposure to antipsychotics.

Results

The study included 98% males, 13% African Americans, and 81% Caucasian. Patients with dementia and antipsychotics had the highest risk of mortality (78.0%), followed by (73.0%) for patients with dementia alone and compared with patients without dementia or antipsychotics exposure who had the lowest mortality risk (42.0%). Exposure to typical antipsychotics was associated with (HR: 2.1, confidence interval [CI] 2.0–2.2) compared with atypical antipsychotics (HR: 1.5, CI 1.4–1.5, p = <.0001).

Conclusion

In a large cohort of older adults, antipsychotics were associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality. While significant increase in mortality was attributable to the diagnosis of dementia, the addition of antipsychotics resulted in added mortality risk among all patients. Antipsychotic medications should be used cautiously in all older adults, not only those with dementia.
Suppressed CO emission and high G/D ratios in z = 2 galaxies with sub-solar gas-phase metallicity
Authors: Coogan R T , Sargent M T , Daddi E , Valentino F , Strazzullo V , Béthermin M , Gobat R , Liu D , Magdis G
Published: February 2019

We study a population of significantly sub-solar enrichment galaxies at z = 1.99, to investigate how molecular gas, dust, and star formation relate in low-metallicity galaxies at the peak epoch of star formation. We target our sample with several deep Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array and Very Large Array datasets, and find no individual detections of CO[4–3], CO[1–0], or dust, in stark contrast to the  >60 per cent detection rate expected for solar-enrichment galaxies with these MS H α star formation rates (SFRs). We find that both low- and high-density molecular gas (traced by CO[1–0] and CO[4–3], respectively) are affected by the low enrichment, showing sample average (stacked) luminosity deficits >0.5–0.7 dex below expectations. This is particularly pertinent for the use of high-J CO emission as a proxy of instantaneous SFR. Our individual galaxy data and stacked constraints point to a strong inverse dependence ∝ Zγ of gas-to-dust ratios (G/D) and CO-to-H2 conversion factors (αCO) on metallicity at z ∼ 2, with γG/D <−2.2 and $\gamma _{\alpha _{\rm CO}}\lt $−0.8, respectively. We quantify the importance of comparing G/D and αCO versus metallicity trends from the literature on a common, suitably normalized metallicity scale. When accounting for systematic offsets between different metallicity scales, our z ∼ 2 constraints on these scaling relations are consistent with the corresponding relations for local galaxies. However, among those local relations, we favour those with a steep/double power-law dependence of G/D on metallicity. Finally, we discuss the implications of these findings for (a) gas mass measurements for sub-M* galaxies, and (b) efforts to identify the characteristic galaxy mass scale contributing most to the comoving molecular gas density at z = 2.