bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Theoretical and experimental differential cross sections for electron impact excitation of the electronic bands of furfural
Authors: Jones D. B. , Neves R. F. C. , Lopes M. C. A. , da Costa R. F. , do N. Varella M. T. , Bettega M. H. F. , Lima M. A. P. , García G. , Limão-Vieira P. , Brunger M. J.
Published: March 2016

We report results from a joint experimental and theoretical investigation into electron scattering from the important industrial species furfural (C5H4O2). Specifically, differential cross sections (DCSs) have been measured and calculated for the electron-impact excitation of the electronic states of C5H4O2. The measurements were carried out at energies in the range 20–40 eV, and for scattered-electron angles between 10° and 90°. The energy resolution of those experiments was typically ∼80 meV. Corresponding Schwinger multichannel method with pseudo-potential calculations, for energies between 6–50 eV and with and without Born-closure, were also performed for a sub-set of the excited electronic-states that were accessed in the measurements. Those calculations were undertaken at the static exchange plus polarisation-level using a minimum orbital basis for single configuration interaction (MOB-SCI) approach. Agreement between the measured and calculated DCSs was qualitatively quite good, although to obtain quantitative accord, the theory would need to incorporate even more channels into the MOB-SCI. The role of multichannel coupling on the computed electronic-state DCSs is also explored in some detail.
The electron-furfural scattering dynamics for 63 energetically open electronic states
Authors: da Costa Romarly F. , do N. Varella Márcio T. , Bettega Márcio H. F. , Neves Rafael F. C. , Lopes Maria Cristina A. , Blanco Francisco , García Gustavo , Jones Darryl B. , Brunger Michael J. , Lima Marco A. P.
Published: March 2016

We report on integral-, momentum transfer- and differential cross sections for elastic and electronically inelastic electron collisions with furfural (C5H4O2). The calculations were performed with two different theoretical methodologies, the Schwinger multichannel method with pseudopotentials (SMCPP) and the independent atom method with screening corrected additivity rule (IAM-SCAR) that now incorporates a further interference (I) term. The SMCPP with N energetically open electronic states (Nopen) at either the static-exchange (Nopen ch-SE) or the static-exchange-plus-polarisation (Nopen ch-SEP) approximation was employed to calculate the scattering amplitudes at impact energies lying between 5 eV and 50 eV, using a channel coupling scheme that ranges from the 1ch-SEP up to the 63ch-SE level of approximation depending on the energy considered. For elastic scattering, we found very good overall agreement at higher energies among our SMCPP cross sections, our IAM-SCAR+I cross sections and the experimental data for furan (a molecule that differs from furfural only by the substitution of a hydrogen atom in furan with an aldehyde functional group). This is a good indication that our elastic cross sections are converged with respect to the multichannel coupling effect for most of the investigated intermediate energies. However, although the present application represents the most sophisticated calculation performed with the SMCPP method thus far, the inelastic cross sections, even for the low lying energy states, are still not completely converged for intermediate and higher energies. We discuss possible reasons leading to this discrepancy and point out what further steps need to be undertaken in order to improve the agreement between the calculated and measured cross sections.
Constant-energetics physical-space forcing methods for improved convergence to homogeneous-isotropic turbulence with application to particle-laden flows
Authors: Bassenne Maxime , Urzay Javier , Park George I. , Moin Parviz
Published: March 2016

This study investigates control-based forcing methods for incompressible homogeneous-isotropic turbulence forced linearly in physical space which result in constant turbulent kinetic energy, constant turbulent dissipation (also constant enstrophy), or a combination of the two based on a least-squares error minimization. The methods consist of proportional controllers embedded in the forcing coefficients. During the transient, the controllers adjust the forcing coefficients such that the controlled quantity achieves very early a minimal relative error with respect to its target stationary value. Comparisons of these forcing methods are made with the non-controlled approaches of Rosales and Meneveau [“Linear forcing in numerical simulations of isotropic turbulence: Physical space implementations and convergence properties,” Phys. Fluids 17, 095106 (2005)] and Carroll and Blanquart [“A proposed modification to Lundgren’s physical space velocity forcing method for isotropic turbulence,” Phys. Fluids 25, 105114 (2013)], using direct numerical simulations (DNS) and large-eddy simulations (LES). The results indicate that the proposed constant-energetics forcing methods shorten the transient period from a user-defined artificial flow field to Navier-Stokes turbulence while maintaining steadier statistics. Additionally, the proposed method of constant kinetic-energy forcing behaves more robustly in coarse LES when initial conditions are employed that favor the occurrence of subgrid-scale backscatter, whereas the other approaches fail to provide physical turbulent flow fields. For illustration, the proposed forcing methods are applied to dilute particle-laden homogeneous-isotropic turbulent flows; the results serve to highlight the influences of the forcing strategies on the disperse-phase statistics.
A fiber optic, ultraviolet light-emitting diode-based, two wavelength fluorometer for monitoring reactive adsorption
Authors: Granz Christopher D. , Schindler Bryan J. , Peterson Gregory W. , Whitten James E.
Published: March 2016

Construction and use of an ultraviolet light-emitting diode-based fluorometer for measuring photoluminescence (PL) from powder samples with a fiber optic probe is described. Fluorescence at two wavelengths is detected by miniature photomultiplier tubes, each equipped with a different band pass filter, whose outputs are analyzed by a microprocessor. Photoluminescent metal oxides and hydroxides, and other semiconducting nanoparticles, often undergo changes in their emission spectra upon exposure to reactive gases, and the ratio of the PL intensities at two wavelengths is diagnostic of adsorption. Use of this instrument for reactive gas sensing and gas filtration applications is illustrated by measuring changes in the PL ratio for zirconium hydroxide and zinc oxide particles upon exposure to air containing low concentrations of sulfur dioxide.
Growth far from equilibrium: Examples from III-V semiconductors
Authors: Kuech Thomas F. , Babcock Susan E. , Mawst Luke
Published: March 2016

The development of new applications has driven the field of materials design and synthesis to investigate materials that are not thermodynamically stable phases. Materials which are not thermodynamically stable can be synthesized and used in many applications. These materials are kinetically stabilized during use. The formation of such metastable materials requires both an understanding of the associated thermochemistry and the key surface transport processes present during growth. Phase separation is most easily accomplished at the growth surface during synthesis where mass transport is most rapid. These surface transport processes are sensitive to the surface stoichiometry, reconstruction, and chemistry as well as the growth temperature. The formation of new metastable semiconducting alloys with compositions deep within a compositional miscibility gap serves as model systems for the understanding of the surface chemical and physical processes controlling their formation. The GaAs1−yBiy system is used here to elucidate the role of surface chemistry in the formation of a homogeneous metastable composition during the chemical vapor deposition of the alloy system.
Cross-spectrum measurement of thermal-noise limited oscillators
Authors: Hati A. , Nelson C. W. , Howe D. A.
Published: March 2016

Cross-spectrum analysis is a commonly used technique for the detection of phase and amplitude noise of a signal in the presence of interfering uncorrelated noise. Recently, we demonstrated that the phase-inversion (anti-correlation) effect due to amplitude noise leakage can cause complete or partial collapse of the cross-spectral function. In this paper, we discuss the newly discovered effect of anti-correlated thermal noise that originates from the common-mode power divider (splitter), an essential component in a cross-spectrum noise measurement system. We studied this effect for different power splitters and discuss its influence on the measurement of thermal-noise limited oscillators. We provide theory, simulation and experimental results. In addition, we expand this study to reveal how the presence of ferrite-isolators and amplifiers at the output ports of the power splitters can affect the oscillator noise measurements. Finally, we discuss a possible solution to overcome this problem.
Pixel multiplexing technique for real-time three-dimensional-imaging laser detection and ranging system using four linear-mode avalanche photodiodes
Authors: Xu Fan , Wang Yuanqing , Li Fenfang
Published: March 2016

The avalanche-photodiode-array (APD-array) laser detection and ranging (LADAR) system has been continually developed owing to its superiority of nonscanning, large field of view, high sensitivity, and high precision. However, how to achieve higher-efficient detection and better integration of the LADAR system for real-time three-dimensional (3D) imaging continues to be a problem. In this study, a novel LADAR system using four linear mode APDs (LmAPDs) is developed for high-efficient detection by adopting a modulation and multiplexing technique. Furthermore, an automatic control system for the array LADAR system is proposed and designed by applying the virtual instrumentation technique. The control system aims to achieve four functions: synchronization of laser emission and rotating platform, multi-channel synchronous data acquisition, real-time Ethernet upper monitoring, and real-time signal processing and 3D visualization. The structure and principle of the complete system are described in the paper. The experimental results demonstrate that the LADAR system is capable of achieving real-time 3D imaging on an omnidirectional rotating platform under the control of the virtual instrumentation system. The automatic imaging LADAR system utilized only 4 LmAPDs to achieve 256-pixel-per-frame detection with by employing 64-bit demodulator. Moreover, the lateral resolution is ∼15 cm and range accuracy is ∼4 cm root-mean-square error at a distance of ∼40 m.
Dose controlled low energy electron irradiator for biomolecular films
Authors: Kumar S. V. K. , Tare Satej T. , Upalekar Yogesh V. , Tsering Thupten
Published: March 2016

We have developed a multi target, Low Energy Electron (LEE), precise dose controlled irradiator for biomolecular films. Up to seven samples can be irradiated one after another at any preset electron energy and dose under UHV conditions without venting the chamber. In addition, one more sample goes through all the steps except irradiation, which can be used as control for comparison with the irradiated samples. All the samples are protected against stray electron irradiation by biasing them at −20 V during the entire period, except during irradiation. Ethernet based communication electronics hardware, LEE beam control electronics and computer interface were developed in house. The user Graphical User Interface to control the irradiation and dose measurement was developed using National Instruments Lab Windows CVI. The working and reliability of the dose controlled irradiator has been fully tested over the electron energy range of 0.5 to 500 eV by studying LEE induced single strand breaks to ΦX174 RF1 dsDNA.
High voltage surface potential measurements in ambient conditions: Application to organic thin-film transistor injection and transport characterization
Authors: de Tournadre Grégoire , Reisdorffer Frédéric , Rödel Reinhold , Simonetti Olivier , Klauk Hagen , Giraudet Louis
Published: March 2016

A scanning surface potential measurement technique suited for thin-film devices operating under high voltages is reported. A commercial atomic force microscope has been customized to enable a feedback-controlled and secure surface potential measurement based on phase-shift detection under ambient conditions. Measurements of the local potential profile along the channel of bottom-gate organic thin-film transistors (TFTs) are shown to be useful to disentangle the contributions from the channel and contacts to the device performance. Intrinsic contact current-voltage characteristics have been measured on bottom-gate, top-contact (staggered) TFTs based on the small-molecule semiconductor dinaphtho[2,3-b:2′,3-f]thieno[3,2-b]thiophene (DNTT) and on bottom-gate, bottom-contact (coplanar) TFTs based on the semiconducting polymer polytriarylamine (PTAA). Injection has been found to be linear in the staggered DNTT TFTs and nonlinear in the coplanar PTAA TFTs. In both types of TFT, the injection efficiency has been found to improve with increasing gate bias in the accumulation regime. Contact resistances as low as 130 Ω cm have been measured in the DNTT TFTs. A method that eliminates the influence of bias-stress-induced threshold-voltage shifts when measuring the local charge-carrier mobility in the channel is also introduced, and intrinsic channel mobilities of 1.5 cm2 V−1 s−1 and 1.1 × 10−3 cm2 V−1 s−1 have been determined for DNTT and PTAA. In both semiconductors, the mobility has been found to be constant with respect to the gate bias. Despite its simplicity, the Kelvin probe force microscopy method reported here provides robust and accurate surface potential measurements on thin-film devices under operation and thus paves the way towards more extensive studies of particular interest in emerging fields of solid-state electronics.
A relativistic backward wave oscillator for directly generating circularly polarized TE11 mode
Authors: Xiao Renzhen , Zhang Zhiqiang , Liang Tiezhu , Deng Yuqun , Li Jiawei , Zhang Qingyuan
Published: March 2016

A relativistic backward wave oscillator for directly generating circularly polarized TE11 mode is proposed. In the device, the electrodynamics structures are divided into two groups in azimuth, each group consisting of two opposite 90° sectors, to produce two orthogonal TE11 modes. The axial position of the two groups is shifted to each other with a quarter of slow wave structure period to achieve a 90° phase difference between the two orthogonal TE11 modes. In particle-in-cell simulation, a circularly polarized TE11 mode with 1.5 GW power has been demonstrated. The amplitude ratio between the two orthogonal TE11 modes is smaller than 0.5 dB, and the phase difference is close to 90°.
Multibit ferroelectric field-effect transistor with epitaxial-like Pb(Zr,Ti)O3
Authors: Park Jae Hyo , Kim Hyung Yoon , Seok Ki Hwan , Kiaee Zohreh , Lee Sol Kyu , Joo Seung Ki
Published: March 2016

Being able to control grain boundaries during the phase transformation when processing a ferroelectric thin-film is crucial for the successful development of practical multibit ferroelectric memory. A novel development of ferroelectric thin-film crystallization processing for realizing epitaxial-like single crystals via artificial nucleation by Pt-seeding is reported here. Dividing the nucleation and growth mechanism by Pt-seeding, it is possible to obtain large and uniform rectangular-shaped ferroelectric grains, large enough to fabricate a field-effect transistor (FET) in the inside of the crystal grain. The fabricated ferroelectric FET, Pt/Pb(Zr,Ti)O3/ZrTiO4/Si, showed a large memory window (∼2.2 V), a low operation voltage (∼6 V), and an ultra-fast program/erase speed (∼10−6 s). Moreover, there was no degradation after 1015 cycles of bipolar fatigue testing and the sample even showed a long retention time after 1 yr. All of these characteristics correspond to the best performance among all types of ferroelectric field-effect transistors reported thus far.

At the request of the Editor-in-Chief and AIP Publishing this article is being retracted. The Journal of Applied Physics retracts the referenced article due to the duplication of figures and significant overlap with other publications by the authors, and because of concerns about the accuracy of the description of the devices and materials from which the reported results were obtained. The article is retracted from the scientific record effective 6 November 2017.
Is renewable energy effective in promoting local economic development? The case of China
Authors: Liu Wenling
Published: March 2016

Study on how renewable energy use and economic growth interact with each other has been an active area of research. This study examines the impacts of renewable energy production (and consumption) on local economic development and income, for a panel data of the 31 provinces of China over the period 2000–2010 within a multivariable framework. Using regression with panels corrected standard errors, this study investigates the effects of renewable energy use on provincial real gross domestic production and local rural income. It is found that deployment of renewable energy use in rural areas has shown significant positive effects on income increase of rural households. But in general, most renewable energy use has negative impacts on economic growth except hydro power generation, improving the economic efficiency of renewable energy production and adjusting renewable energy related subsidy policies are of prime importance.
Note: Automatic layer-by-layer spraying system for functional thin film coatings
Authors: Seo Seongmin , Lee Sangmin , Park Yong Tae
Published: March 2016

In this study, we have constructed an automatic spray machine for producing polyelectrolyte multilayer films containing various functional materials on wide substrates via the layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly technique. The proposed machine exhibits advantages in terms of automation, process speed, and versatility. Furthermore, it has several features that allow a fully automated spraying operation, such as various two-dimensional spraying paths, control of the flow rate and operating speed, air-assist fan-shaped twin-fluid nozzles, and an optical display. The robot uniformly sprays aqueous mixtures containing complementary (e.g., oppositely charged, capable of hydrogen bonding, or capable of covalent bonding) species onto a large-area substrate. Between each deposition of opposite species, samples are spray-rinsed with deionized water and blow-dried with air. The spraying, rinsing, and drying areas and times are adjustable by a computer program. Twenty-bilayer flame-retardant thin films were prepared in order to compare the performance of the spray-assisted LbL assembly with a sample produced by conventional dipping. The spray-coated film exhibited a reduction of afterglow time in vertical flame tests, indicating that the spray-LbL technique is a simple method to produce functional thin film coatings.
MgAl2O4(001) based magnetic tunnel junctions made by direct sputtering of a sintered spinel target
Authors: Belmoubarik Mohamed , Sukegawa Hiroaki , Ohkubo Tadakatsu , Mitani Seiji , Hono Kazuhiro
Published: March 2016

We developed a fabrication process of an epitaxial MgAl2O4 barrier for magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) using a direct sputtering method from an MgAl2O4 spinel sintered target. Annealing the sputter-deposited MgAl2O4 layer sandwiched between Fe electrodes led to the formation of a (001)-oriented cation-disorder spinel with atomically sharp interfaces and lattice-matching with the Fe electrodes. A large tunnel magnetoresistance ratio up to 245% at 297 K (436% at 3 K) was achieved in the Fe/MgAl2O4/Fe(001) MTJ as well as an excellent bias voltage dependence. These results indicate that the direct sputtering is an alternative method for the realization of high performance MTJs with a spinel-based tunnel barrier.
Piezoelectric tube rotation effect owing to surface acoustic wave excitation
Authors: Biryukov Sergey V. , Sotnikov Andrei , Schmidt Hagen
Published: March 2016

It is shown experimentally that a macroscopic cylindrical solid shaped like a piezoelectric tube can be rotated due to the excitation of surface acoustic waves (SAWs) with different amplitudes propagating in opposite directions along the solid's surface. A unidirectional SAW transducer covering the whole cylindrical surface has been used for ac voltage excitation of waves with unequal amplitudes in both directions. The pattern of such a transducer consists of a periodic comb structure with two electrodes of different width per period. An external torque is not applied to the tube and, from the outside, its movement looks like a motion under the action of an internal force. The observed mechanical response of the piezoelectric cylindrical tube to excitation of waves is due to an angular momentum of SAWs, the value of which has been directly calculated from experimental results.
Magneto-optical metamaterials with extraordinarily strong magneto-optical effect
Authors: Luo Xiaoguang , Zhou Ming , Liu Jingfeng , Qiu Teng , Yu Zongfu
Published: March 2016

In optical frequencies, natural materials exhibit very weak magneto-optical effect. This weak effect can be easily recognized in the dielectric tensor where the ratio between the imaginary off-diagonal and diagonal components is extremely small. Here, we show that man-made metamaterials can greatly enhance this ratio, leading to an extraordinarily enhanced magneto-optical effect.
Enhanced triboelectrification of the polydimethylsiloxane surface by ultraviolet irradiation
Authors: Kim Jong Hun , Yun Byung Kil , Jung Jong Hoon , Park Jeong Young
Published: March 2016

Study of the triboelectric charging effect has recently gained much attraction by proposing a new potential technical application in the field of energy harvesting. Transparent polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) has some advantages in employing the triboelectric effect due to good conformity at nanometer scale and the simple fabrication process. In this study, we demonstrate that UV irradiation can enhance the performance of a PDMS-based nanotribogenerator. Contact atomic force microscopy combined with Kelvin probe force microscopy enables an in-depth investigation of the effect of UV illumination on local triboelectric charge generation and its decay in PDMS. We found that UV exposure not only facilitates triboelectric charge generation but also enhances charge redistribution, which is related to the wettability of the PDMS surface. This study provides insights into the fundamental understanding and design of triboelectric generator devices.
Bistable random laser that uses a phase transition of polyethylene glycol
Authors: Saito Mitsunori , Nishimura Yoshihiro
Published: March 2016

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is transparent in the liquid phase and turns to a translucent solid through a phase transition at around room temperature. A PEG solution of rhodamine 6G was excited by a laser pulse (527 nm wavelength, 10 ns duration, 190 μJ) to measure fluorescence spectra during the phase transition process. Whereas the fluorescence peak was weak and broad at 60 °C (spontaneous emission), a strong, narrow peak appeared in the temperature range below 50 °C, since a stimulated emission (amplified spontaneous emission) took place due to the scattering in the solid PEG. This laser emission control was repeatable by reversing an electric voltage (−12 or +12 V) that drove a Peltier element. Interestingly, the sample exhibited a strong stimulated emission at 52 °C during the heating process, although no strong emission was visible at the same temperature during the cooling process (bistability). The fluorescence peak wavelength was tunable between 566 and 572 nm by changing the cooling rate.
Experimental and first-principles studies on the elastic properties of α-hafnium metal under pressure
Authors: Qi Xintong , Wang Xuebing , Chen Ting , Li Baosheng
Published: March 2016

Compressional and shear wave velocities of the α phase of hafnium have been measured up to 10.4 GPa at room temperature using ultrasonic interferometry in a multi-anvil apparatus. A finite strain equation of state analysis yielded  Ks0=110.4 (5) GPa, G0 =54.7(5) GPa, Ks0′=3.7, and G0′=0.6 for the elastic bulk and shear moduli and their pressure derivatives at ambient conditions. Complementary to the experimental data, the single crystal elastic constants, the elastic anisotropy, and the unit cell axial ratio c/a of α-hafnium at high pressures were investigated by Density Functional Theory (DFT) based first principles calculations. A c/a value of 1.605 is predicted for α-Hf at 40 GPa, which is in excellent agreement with previous experimental results. The low-pressure derivative of the shear modulus observed in our experimental data up to 10 GPa was found to originate from the elastic constant C44, which exhibits negligible pressure dependence within the current experimental pressure range. At higher pressures (>10 GPa), C44 was predicted to soften and the shear wave velocity νS trended to decrease with pressure, which can be interpreted as a precursor to the α-ω transition similar to that observed in other group IV elements (titanium and zirconium). The acoustic velocities, the bulk and shear moduli, and the acoustic Debye temperature (θD=240.1 K) determined from the current experiments were all compared well with those predicted by our theoretical DFT calculations.
Skyrmions in thin films with easy-plane magnetocrystalline anisotropy
Authors: Vousden Mark , Albert Maximilian , Beg Marijan , Bisotti Marc-Antonio , Carey Rebecca , Chernyshenko Dmitri , Cortés-Ortuño David , Wang Weiwei , Hovorka Ondrej , Marrows Christopher H. , Fangohr Hans
Published: March 2016

We demonstrate that chiral skyrmionic magnetization configurations can be found as the minimum energy state in B20 thin film materials with easy-plane magnetocrystalline anisotropy with an applied magnetic field perpendicular to the film plane. Our observations contradict results from prior analytical work, but are compatible with recent experimental investigations. The size of the observed skyrmions increase with the easy-plane magnetocrystalline anisotropy. We use a full micromagnetic model including demagnetization and a three-dimensional geometry to find local energy minimum (metastable) magnetization configurations using numerical damped time integration. We explore the phase space of the system and start simulations from a variety of initial magnetization configurations to present a systematic overview of anisotropy and magnetic field parameters for which skyrmions are metastable and global energy minimum (stable) states.
The investigation of the diameter dimension effect on the Si nano-tube transistors
Authors: Liao M.-H. , Yeh C.-H. , Lee C.-C. , Wang C.-P.
Published: March 2016

The vertical gate-all-around (V-GAA) Si nano-tube (NT) devices with different diameter dimensions are studied in this work with the promising device performance. The V-GAA structure makes the transistor easy to be scaled down continuously to meet the complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) scaling requirements of the 7/10 nm technology node and beyond. The Si NT device with the hollow structure is demonstrated to have the capability to “deplete” and “screen-out” the out-of gate control carriers in the center of the NT and further result in the better device short channel control. Based on the study in this work, the V-GAA Si NT device with the optimized diameter dimension (=20 nm) can benefit the Ion-state current and reduce the Ioff-state stand-by power simultaneously, due to the less surface roughness scattering and the better short channel control characteristics. The proposed V-GAA Si NT device is regarded as one of the most promising candidates for the future application of the sub-7/10 nm logic era.
Fabrication and investigation of three-dimensional ferroelectric capacitors for the application of FeRAM
Authors: Yeh Chia-Pin , Lisker Marco , Kalkofen Bodo , Burte Edmund P.
Published: March 2016

Ferroelectric capacitors made by lead zirconate titanate (PZT) thin films and iridium electrodes are fabricated on three-dimensional structures and their properties are investigated. The iridium films are grown by Plasma Enhanced MOCVD at 300°C, while the PZT films are deposited by thermal MOCVD at different process temperatures between 450°C and 550°C. The step coverage and composition uniformity of the PZT films on trench holes and lines are investigated. Phase separation of PZT films has been observed on both 3D and planar structures. No clear dependences of the crystallization and composition of PZT on 3D structure topography have been found. STEM EDX line scans show a uniform Zr/(Zr+Ti) concentration ratio along the 3D profile but the variation of the Pb/(Zr+Ti) concentration ratio is large because of the phase separation. 3D ferroelectric capacitors show good ferroelectric properties but have much higher leakage currents than 2D ferroelectric capacitors. Nevertheless, during cycling tests the degradation of the remnant polarization between 2D and 3D capacitors is similar after 109 switching cycles. In addition, the sidewalls and bottoms of the 3D structures seem to have comparable remnant polarizations with the horizontal top surfaces.
Accuracy of AFM force distance curves via direct solution of the Euler-Bernoulli equation
Authors: Eppell Steven J. , Liu Yehe , Zypman Fredy R.
Published: March 2016

In an effort to improve the accuracy of force-separation curves obtained from atomic force microscope data, we compare force-separation curves computed using two methods to solve the Euler-Bernoulli equation. A recently introduced method using a direct sequential forward solution, Causal Time-Domain Analysis, is compared against a previously introduced Tikhonov Regularization method. Using the direct solution as a benchmark, it is found that the regularization technique is unable to reproduce accurate curve shapes. Using L-curve analysis and adjusting the regularization parameter, λ, to match either the depth or the full width at half maximum of the force curves, the two techniques are contrasted. Matched depths result in full width at half maxima that are off by an average of 27% and matched full width at half maxima produce depths that are off by an average of 109%.
Managing coniferous production forests towards bat conservation
Authors: Pereira Maria João Ramos , Peste Filipa , Paula Anabela , Pereira Pedro , Bernardino Joana , Vieira José , Bastos Carlos , Mascarenhas Miguel , Costa Hugo , Fonseca Carlos
Published: March 2016

Context Forest management has impacts on bats worldwide. Given that many forest bats are threatened and that bats are important providers of ecosystem services, understanding the effects of forest management practices on their activity is fundamental for the implementation of conservation measures. Despite these important issues, studies on the effects of management practices on bats are scarce. Aims To propose management measures for coniferous production forests, to ensure sustainability of bat populations. Methods We evaluated bat species richness and activity during gestation, lactation and mating/swarming/dispersion seasons in differently managed pine stands to evaluate how vegetation structure influences those variables. Bat activity was surveyed using acoustic monitoring in 28 sampling plots within stands with distinct management records in Portugal. We also sampled arthropods using light traps to ascertain how prey availability influenced bat species richness and activity in those plots. Key results Bat species richness and activity varied along the three phenological seasons and were higher in autumn, when mating, swarming and dispersion from nurseries to hibernacula took place. Prey availability varied, but was higher during the lactation season. We hypothesise that the lower levels of bat species richness and activity registered during that period were due to a reduced availability of roosts, rather than food scarcity. Species richness was positively correlated with canopy cover and prey taxa richness, and negatively associated with dry branches cover. Total bat activity was positively correlated with tree height and prey taxa richness, and negatively associated with dry branches cover. The activity of edge-space foragers was positively associated with average tree height and prey taxa richness, while the activity of open-space foragers was negatively associated with dry branches cover. Conclusions Coniferous production forests are of great importance for bats during the mating/swarming/dispersion season. Canopy cover, dry branches cover, tree height and prey taxa richness influence bat species richness and activity as a whole, particularly the activity of open- and edge- foraging guilds. Implications Based on our results, two straightforward management actions should be implemented in coniferous production forests to increase their value for bat assemblages: the maintenance of old coniferous stands, and the cutting of dry branches at the subcanopy level.
Cooperative hunting between humans and domestic dogs in eastern and northern Australia
Authors: Sparkes Jessica , Ballard Guy , Fleming Peter J. S.
Published: March 2016

Context Dogs aid hunters in many parts of Australia. Because of close proximity, transfer of zoonotic disease between hunters, hunting dogs and wildlife can, and does, occur. Knowledge about cooperative hunting between humans and domestic dogs and interactions with wildlife in Australia is limited, but is necessary to improve zoonotic-risk mitigation strategies. Aims We aimed to describe the frequency and geographic distribution of hunting with dogs, and to document interactions between them and wildlife that could contribute to zoonosis transmission. Methods Australian hunters were invited via web-based hunting forums, hunting supply stores and government agency communications to complete an online questionnaire about their hunting activities. Key results Most of the 440 responding hunters resided on Australia’s eastern coast. Pest animal management and recreation were their primary drivers for hunting with dogs. Most hunters used one or two dogs, and travelled ≥500 km to target feral pigs, rabbits, birds and deer. Almost a quarter of respondents (N = 313) had lost a dog while hunting, but most (93%, N = 61) were reportedly recovered within a few hours. Half the respondents indicated that they had encountered wild dogs while hunting, and reported a range of consequences from non-contact interactions through to attacks on the hunting dog or hunter. Conclusions Australian hunters frequently used dogs to assist in hunts of birds and introduced mammals, particularly where access was difficult because of rough terrain or thick vegetation. Interactions between hunters and non-target animals such as wild dogs were common, providing potential pathways for the spread of diseases. Furthermore, hunting expeditions >500 km from the point of residence occurred regularly, which could facilitate translocation of important zoonotic diseases between states and the creation of disparate foci of disease spread, even into highly populated areas. Implications Our improved understanding of hunting-dog use in Australia is essential to quantify the risk of disease transmission between wildlife and humans, identify transmission pathways and devise management plans to quash disease outbreaks. To promote rapid detection of exotic diseases, hunters should be encouraged to report unusual wildlife behaviour and interactions with their dogs.
Predation by feral cats key to the failure of a long-term reintroduction of the western barred bandicoot (Perameles bougainville)
Authors: Short Jeff
Published: March 2016

Context Reintroduction of endangered species potentially places them back in contact with putative factors of historical decline, inadvertently providing the opportunity to evaluate their impact. Aims To monitor the long-term progress of a population of western barred bandicoot reintroduced to mainland Australia and to assess factors involved in its eventual local extinction. Methods Bandicoots were reintroduced from offshore Dorre Island to the nearby mainland peninsula of Heirisson Prong in 1995. The narrow neck of the peninsula was fenced to exclude foxes and feral cats from a 1200 ha area, but the area was subject to periodic incursions. There was parallel management of a confined but unsupported population in an in situ 17-ha predator refuge. Bandicoots were assessed for abundance, body condition and reproduction two to four times annually between 1995 and 2010. In addition, perceived threatening processes (drought, disease and the abundance of cats, foxes and rabbits) were monitored. Key results Bandicoots became well established at the site, spreading to all available habitat. Numbers fluctuated strongly, peaking at ~250 in 1999 and then declining to apparent local extinction (with subsequent re-establishment from the refuge), and at ~470 animals in 2006, followed again by extinction. Conclusions Predation by feral cats was implicated as the primary cause of both free-range extinctions and the eventual elimination of all bandicoots from the predator refuge. Other contributing factors in one or more of the declines were a reduction in reproduction and recruitment in bandicoots during a one-in-100-year drought, the impact of overabundant European rabbits on vegetation used by bandicoots for nesting shelter and brief fox incursions at key times. Implications Existing methods of control of feral cats are rendered ineffective in the presence of abundant and diverse native fauna and abundant exotic species (particularly European rabbits). In addition, episodic drought in arid Australia intensifies the impact of predation by restricting reproduction of prey species. These factors hamper the attempts of conservation managers to re-establish vulnerable species at sites other than those with the infrastructure and/or management intensity to largely exclude exotic predators (and preferably European rabbits) over the long-term.
What are they hunting for? Investigating heterogeneity among sika deer (Cervus nippon) hunters
Authors: Kerr Geoffrey N. , Abell Walt
Published: March 2016

Context New Zealand’s Game Animal Council has the opportunity to manage game animals. However, effective management requires understanding of the benefits to hunters of hunting-game resources and how those benefits and behaviours change in response to changes in hunt attributes, including game-animal densities, hunt duration, presence of other hunters and travel distance. Aims To identify different typologies of recreational sika deer (Cervus nippon) hunters and to measure the importance of salient hunt attributes for the different groups, to identify opportunities for enhancing recreational hunting experiences. Methods We explored hunter differences through factor analysis and cluster analysis, identifying three different groups of hunters on the basis of motivations and frequency of hunting. Preferences for hunt attributes were explored with a choice experiment that used a pivot design around actual travel distances to measure the relative importance of hunt-related attributes. Latent class analysis of choice-experiment responses identified three discrete groups of hunters who sought different activity settings. Key Results Results showed the high value of recreational hunting, and identified significant heterogeneity in hunter preference. Membership of the different clusters identified in the cluster analysis and motivations for hunting were not significant predictors of activity-setting preferences, whereas frequency of hunting was. One group of locals took short-duration hunts that were of low personal benefit. The other groups preferred longer hunts and received high personal benefits. Trophy potential was a significant determinant of the choice of hunt location. Conclusions Changes in hunt attributes, such as deer density, trophy potential and presence of other hunters have significant effects on hunt benefits and site choice. Implications Sika deer hunting is currently open access, which diminishes hunter benefits because of goal interference both within and among different groups of hunters. The present study identified potential gains from active management of sika deer and sika deer hunters.
The relationship between physiological stress and wildlife disease: consequences for health and conservation
Authors: Hing Stephanie , Narayan Edward J. , Thompson R. C. Andrew , Godfrey Stephanie S.
Published: March 2016

Wildlife populations are under increasing pressure from a variety of threatening processes, ranging from climate change to habitat loss, that can incite a physiological stress response. The stress response influences immune function, with potential consequences for patterns of infection and transmission of disease among and within wildlife, domesticated animals and humans. This is concerning because stress may exacerbate the impact of disease on species vulnerable to extinction, with consequences for biodiversity conservation globally. Furthermore, stress may shape the role of wildlife in the spread of emerging infectious diseases (EID) such as Hendra virus (HeV) and Ebola virus. However, we still have a limited understanding of the influence of physiological stress on infectious disease in wildlife. We highlight key reasons why an improved understanding of the relationship between stress and wildlife disease could benefit conservation, and animal and public health, and discuss approaches for future investigation. In particular, we recommend that increased attention be given to the influence of anthropogenic stressors including climate change, habitat loss and management interventions on disease dynamics in wildlife populations.
Radical remodeling of the Y chromosome in a recent radiation of malaria mosquitoes
Authors: Hall Andrew Brantley , Papathanos Philippos-Aris , Sharma Atashi , Cheng Changde , Akbari Omar S. , Assour Lauren , Bergman Nicholas H. , Cagnetti Alessia , Crisanti Andrea , Dottorini Tania , Fiorentini Elisa , Galizi Roberto , Hnath Jonathan , Jiang Xiaofang , Koren Sergey , Nolan Tony , Radune Diane , Sharakhova Maria V. , Steele Aaron , Timoshevskiy Vladimir A. , Windbichler Nikolai , Zhang Simo , Hahn Matthew W. , Phillippy Adam M. , Emrich Scott J. , Sharakhov Igor V. , Tu Zhijian Jake , Besansky Nora J.
Published: March 2016

Significance

Interest in male mosquitoes has been motivated by the potential to develop novel vector control strategies, exploiting the fact that males do not feed on blood or transmit diseases, such as malaria. However, genetic studies of maleAnophelesmosquitoes have been impeded by the lack of molecular characterization of the Y chromosome. Here we show that theAnopheles gambiaeY chromosome contains a very small repertoire of genes, with massively amplified tandem arrays of a small number of satellites and transposable elements constituting the vast majority of the sequence. These genes and repeats evolve rapidly, bringing about remodeling of the Y, even among closely related species. Our study provides a long-awaited foundation for studying mosquito Y chromosome biology and evolution.
Comparison of density determination of liquid samples by density meters
Authors: Buchner C , Wolf H , Vámossy C , Lorefice S , Lenard E , Spohr I , Mares G , Perkin M , Parlic-Risovic T , Grue L -L , Tammik K , Andel I van , Zelenka Z
Published: March 2016

Hydrostatic density determinations of liquids as reference material are mainly performed by National Metrology Institutes to provide means for calibrating or checking liquid density measuring instruments such as oscillation-type density meters. These density meters are used by most of the metrology institutes for their calibration and scientific work.

The aim of this project was to compare the results of the liquid density determination by oscillating density meters of the participating laboratories. The results were linked to CCM.D.K-2 partly via Project EURAMET.M.D.K-2 (1019) "Comparison of liquid density standards" by hydrostatic weighing piloted by BEV in 2008.

In this comparison pentadecane, water and of oil with a high viscosity were measured at atmospheric pressure using oscillation type density meter. The temperature range was from 15 °C to 40 °C.

The measurement results were in some cases discrepant. Further studies, comparisons are essential to explore the capability and uncertainty of the density meters

Main text

To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.

The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).
Holomorphic isometries of the complex unit ball into irreducible bounded symmetric domains
Authors: Mok Ngaiming
Published: March 2016

LetΩ⊂S\Omega \subset Sbe an irreducible bounded symmetric domain of rank≥2\ge 2embedded as an open subset in its dual Hermitian symmetric manifoldSSof the compact type. Writec1(S)=(p+2)δc_1(S) = (p+2)\delta,δ∈H2(S,Z)≅Z\delta \in H^2(S,\mathbb {Z}) \cong \mathbb {Z}being the positive generator. We prove that there exists a nonstandard holomorphic embedding of the(p+1)(p+1)-dimensional complex unit ballBp+1B^{p+1}intoΩ\Omegawhich is isometric with respect to canonical Kähler-Einstein metricsggresp. hhnormalized so that minimal disks are of constant Gaussian curvature−2-2. We construct such holomorphic isometries using varieties of minimal rational tangents (VMRTs). We also prove thatn≤p+1n \le p+1for any holomorphic isometryf:(Bn,g)→(Ω,h)f: (B^n,g) \to (\Omega ,h). Our proofs rely on an extension theorem for holomorphic isometries of Mok (2012), the asymptotic behavior due to Klembeck (1978) of standard complete Kähler metrics on strictly pseudoconvex domains, and the fine structure of boundaries of bounded symmetric domains in their Harish-Chandra realizations due to Wolf (1972).
How Healthy Is Hunger Relief Food?
Authors: King Robert P. , Warren Cael , Cureton Colin , Hoolihan Courtney , Grannon Katherine Young , Nanney Marilyn S.
Published: March 2016

Distributing healthy food is an important goal for hunger relief agencies, but they face many challenges in meeting it. Budgets for purchasing food are limited, and hunger relief agencies often have little influence over the nutritional quality of food they receive through donations. In a recent study, Healthy Eating Index (HEI) scores were calculated monthly using electronic invoice data for food shelves served by two major food banks in Minnesota. While the HEI is directly related to nutrition guidelines and provides great detail in its scoring, implementation requires careful measurement and classification of foods and a rather complex set of calculations. In addition, a significant portion of food distributed by food banks is mixed pallets of free “miscellaneous” that cannot readily be included in HEI calculations. We propose and test a less data‐ and labor‐intensive measure for characterizing the healthfulness of food distributed by hunger relief agencies. This new measure, the Hunger Relief Nutrition Index (HRNI), facilitates nutritional assessment of miscellaneous foods, allows for easy aggregation of healthfulness scores across food sources and time periods, and correlates well with the HEI.