bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dispersive Non-Geminate Recombination in an Amorphous Polymer:Fullerene Blend
Authors: Kurpiers Jona , Neher Dieter
Published: May 2016

Recombination of free charge is a key process limiting the performance of solar cells. For low mobility materials, such as organic semiconductors, the kinetics of non-geminate recombination (NGR) is strongly linked to the motion of charges. As these materials possess significant disorder, thermalization of photogenerated carriers in the inhomogeneously broadened density of state distribution is an unavoidable process. Despite its general importance, knowledge about the kinetics of NGR in complete organic solar cells is rather limited. We employ time delayed collection field (TDCF) experiments to study the recombination of photogenerated charge in the high-performance polymer:fullerene blend PCDTBT:PCBM. NGR in the bulk of this amorphous blend is shown to be highly dispersive, with a continuous reduction of the recombination coefficient throughout the entire time scale, until all charge carriers have either been extracted or recombined. Rapid, contact-mediated recombination is identified as an additional loss channel, which, if not properly taken into account, would erroneously suggest a pronounced field dependence of charge generation. These findings are in stark contrast to the results of TDCF experiments on photovoltaic devices made from ordered blends, such as P3HT:PCBM, where non-dispersive recombination was proven to dominate the charge carrier dynamics under application relevant conditions.
The Role of Catalase C262T Gene Polymorphism in the Susceptibility and Survival of Cancers
Authors: Wang Cheng-Di , Sun Yan , Chen Nan , Huang Lin , Huang Jing-Wen , Zhu Min , Wang Ting , Ji Yu-Lin
Published: May 2016

Catalase (CAT), one antioxidant enzyme, may provide resistance against many diseases. Many previous studies reported predictive and prognostic values of CAT C262T polymorphism in cancers, with divergent results. This study aimed to summarize the overall relationships between CAT C262T polymorphism and cancer risk or survival. A total of 27 eligible publications were included in susceptibility analysis, while 8 publications contained survival outcomes. The results revealed significant relationship between CAT C262T polymorphism and cancer risk(TT + CT vs CC: OR = 1.05, 95%CI = 1.00–1.10, P = 0.036), subgroup analyses indicated the CAT C262T polymorphism was significantly correlated with an increased risk for prostate cancer (TT vs CC + CT: OR = 1.43, 95%CI = 1.20–1.70, P < 0.001) and increased risk among Caucasians (TT vs CC + CT: OR = 1.19, 95%CI = 1.09–1.31, P < 0.001), while no associations between the polymorphism and Asian or mixed population were established. In the survival analysis, no interactions were identified between this polymorphism and cancer survival (TT + CT vs CC: HR = 1.37, 95%CI = 0.70–2.70, P = 0.36). In conclusion, the CAT C262T polymorphismmay be a candidate markerfor cancer risk with type-specific and population-specific effects but not a fine prognostic factor for cancer survival.
Structural and relative energy assessments of DFT functionals and the MP2 method to describe the gas phase methylation of nitronates: [R1R2CNO2]−+ CH3I
Authors: Mahmood Ayyaz , Longo Ricardo L.
Published: May 2016

The structures and energetics of CH3I + [R1R2CNO2]−gas phaseC- andO-methylation reactions were computed with several functionals and ECP/basis sets and compared to CCSD(T)/CBS.
A comparative technoeconomic analysis of renewable hydrogen production using solar energy
Authors: Shaner Matthew R. , Atwater Harry A. , Lewis Nathan S. , McFarland Eric W.
Published: May 2016

Solar H2production cost ($ kg−1) techno-economic landscape for photoelectrochemical (PEC) and photovoltaic-electrolysis (PV-E). References include conventional H2production, robust outdoor material (artificial grass) and solar cell.
Effects of antifouling booster biocide Irgarol 1051 on the structure of free living nematodes: a laboratory experiment
Authors: Hannachi Amel , Elarbaoui Soumaya , Khazri Abdelhafidh , D'Agostino Fabio , Sellami Badreddine , Beyrem Hamouda , Gambi Cristina , Danovaro Roberto , Mahmoudi Ezzeddine
Published: May 2016

A mesocosm experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of Irgarol on nematode diversity, composition and trophic structure.
Vertically encoded tetragonal hydrogel microparticles for multiplexed detection of miRNAs associated with Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Roh Yoon Ho , Sim Sang Jun , Cho Il-Joo , Choi Nakwon , Bong Ki Wan
Published: May 2016

Using hydrodynamic focusing lithography, we created vertically encoded tetragonal hydrogel microparticles that can be used for a multiplexed microRNA assay related to Alzheimer's disease.
Microfluidic enzymatic DNA extraction on a hybrid polyester-toner-PMMA device
Authors: Thompson Brandon L. , Birch Christopher , Li Jingyi , DuVall Jacquelyn A. , Le Roux Delphine , Nelson Daniel A. , Tsuei An-Chi , Mills Daniel L. , Krauss Shannon T. , Root Brian E. , Landers James P.
Published: May 2016

A polyester-toner-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) hybrid microdevice, which centrifugally introduces EA1 enzyme to a buccal swab for rapid DNA extraction.
Facile detection of tumor-derived exosomes using magnetic nanobeads and SERS nanoprobes
Authors: Zong Shenfei , Wang Le , Chen Chen , Lu Ju , Zhu Dan , Zhang Yizhi , Wang Zhuyuan , Cui Yiping
Published: May 2016

The SERS based method is simple and time saving compared with other methods.
Lower critical solution temperature (LCST) phase behaviour of an ionic liquid and its control by supramolecular host–guest interactions
Authors: Dong Shengyi , Heyda Jan , Yuan Jiayin , Schalley Christoph A.
Published: May 2016

Unique LCST phase behaviour of imidazolium-based ionic liquids is reported, which can be controlled by concentration, the choice of cation, anion and solvent, and by supramolecular complex formation. MD simulations provide insight into the molecular basis of this LCST phenomenon.
Low-temperature solution-processed p-type vanadium oxide for perovskite solar cells
Authors: Sun Haocheng , Hou Xiaomeng , Wei Qiulong , Liu Huawei , Yang Kecheng , Wang Wei , An Qinyou , Rong Yaoguang
Published: May 2016

A low-temperature solution-processed inorganic p-type contact material of vanadium oxide (VOx) is developed to fabricate planar-heterojunction perovskite solar cells.
Saccharide-induced modulation of photoluminescence lifetime in microgels
Authors: Denisov S. A. , Pinaud F. , Chambaud M. , Lapeyre V. , Catargi B. , Sojic N. , McClenaghan N. D. , Ravaine V.
Published: May 2016

Sugar-responsive microgels based on boronic acid derivative and incorporating [Ru(bpy)3]2+ as a luminescent reporter, exhibit very long lifetimes and unusually high quantum yields, which decrease upon saccharide addition.
Large spin-filtering effect in Ti-doped defective zigzag graphene nanoribbon
Authors: Tawfik Sherif Abdulkader , Cui X. Y. , Ringer S. P. , Stampfl C.
Published: May 2016

We theoretically study the conductance of double-vacancy zigzag graphene nanoribbons doped with Ti, V, Cr and Fe, and find that Ti doping, despite possessing small spin moment at Ti site, induces large spin-filtering with an efficiency in excess of 90% for bias voltages below 0.5 V.
Improved photocatalytic hydrogen evolution driven by chloro(terpyridine)platinum(ii) derivatives tethered to a single pendant viologen acceptor
Authors: Lin Shu , Kitamoto Kyoji , Ozawa Hironobu , Sakai Ken
Published: May 2016

Chloro(terpyridine)platinum(ii) derivatives tethered to a single pendant viologen acceptor exhibit drastically improved turnover number in the photocatalytic H2 evolution reaction from water.
Metal-free, visible-light-mediated, decarboxylative alkylation of biomass-derived compounds
Authors: Schwarz Johanna , König Burkhard
Published: May 2016

This work describes a mild, environmentally friendly method to activate natural carboxylic acids for decarboxylative alkylation.
An all-glass 12 μm ultra-thin and flexible micro-fluidic chip fabricated by femtosecond laser processing
Authors: Yalikun Yaxiaer , Hosokawa Yoichiroh , Iino Takanori , Tanaka Yo
Published: May 2016

We investigated and established a method, using femtosecond laser processing, to fabricate a 100%-glass-based 12-μm ultra-thin and flexible micro-fluidic chip.
A fuzzy logic controller based approach to model the switching mechanism of the mammalian central carbon metabolic pathway in normal and cancer cells
Authors: Dasgupta Abhijit , Paul Debjyoti , De Rajat K.
Published: May 2016

The work demonstrates how cancer cells manage macromolecular synthesis and energy by maintaining coordination between PKM2 and enzymes catalyzing PPP.
Fluorescent protein-reactive polymers via one-pot combination of the Ugi reaction and RAFT polymerization
Authors: Wu Haibo , Yang Bin , Zhao Yuan , Wei Yen , Wang Zhiming , Wang Xing , Tao Lei
Published: May 2016

Well-defined polymers containing both fluorescent and protein-reactive groups at the chain end have been facilely synthesized by the one-pot combination of the four-component Ugi reaction and RAFT polymerization.
Ultrasensitive sensing performances to sub-ppb level acetone for Pd-functionalized SmFeO3packed powder sensors
Authors: Li Ling , Qin Hongwei , Zhang Ling , Hu Jifan
Published: May 2016

Pd-SmFeO3is functionalized by mixing PdCl2with nanocrystalline powders and subsequently followed by an annealing at 750 °C.
Herbicidal ionic liquids derived from renewable sources
Authors: Pernak Juliusz , Czerniak Kamil , Biedziak Agnieszka , Marcinkowska Katarzyna , Praczyk Tadeusz , Erfurt Karol , Chrobok Anna
Published: May 2016

A new family of herbicidal ionic liquids based on d-glucose and MCPA or 2,4-D anions has been synthesized and the physicochemical, surface active and herbicidal properties of the obtained salts were characterized.
Simultaneous reduction and covalent grafting of polythiophene on graphene oxide sheets for excellent capacitance retention
Authors: Yadav Santosh Kumar , Kumar Rajesh , Sundramoorthy Ashok K. , Singh Rajesh Kumar , Koo Chong Min
Published: May 2016

Herein, we report room temperature reduction and covalent grafting of GO sheets by thiophene derivatives to produce pseudocapacitive electrodes with high capacitance (230 F g−1 at 1 mV s−1) and most important, 100% cycling retention after 5000 cycles.
A thermodynamic approach of self- and hetero-diffusion in GaAs: connecting point defect parameters with bulk properties
Authors: Saltas V. , Chroneos A. , Vallianatos F.
Published: May 2016

GaAs diffusion is investigated with respect to temperature and pressure using a model that interconnects point defect with bulk properties.
Injectable SVF-loaded porcine extracellular matrix powders for adipose tissue engineering
Authors: Lu Yongzhou , Jia Chuanlong , Bi Bo , Chen Liang , Zhou Yiqun , Yang Ping , Guo Yu , Zhu Jingjing , Zhu Ningwen , Liu Tianyi
Published: May 2016

This study provides a novel method in injectable tissue engineering which contains porcine extracellular matrix (ECM) powder scaffolds and stromal-vascular fraction (SVF) cells.
Low molecular weight gels: potential in remediation of crude oil spillage and recovery
Authors: Kesava Raju Ch. Siva , Pramanik Bhaskar , Kar Tanmoy , Rao Peddy V. C. , Choudary Nettem V. , Ravishankar Raman
Published: May 2016

A molecular gelator which has strong gelation ability for different crude oils (light to heavy crudes), and a wide range of refinery products is reported for the first time for its potential application in oil spillage/recovery.
Self-assembled polycarbazole microspheres as single-component, white-colour resonant photoemitters
Authors: Kushida Soh , Okabe Shinnosuke , Dao Thang D. , Ishii Satoshi , Nagao Tadaaki , Saeki Akinori , Kijima Masashi , Yamamoto Yohei
Published: May 2016

Self-assembled polycarbazole microspheres exhibit white-colour whispering gallery mode photoluminescence from the whole visible spectral range.
Interaction of phosphonium ionic liquids with borate esters at tribological interfaces
Authors: Sharma Vibhu , Doerr Nicole , Erdemir Ali , Aswath Pranesh B.
Published: May 2016

Chemical make-up of the tribofilms formed using phosphonium-phosphate IL and borate ester.
Correction: Biorefining of Eruca sativa plant for efficient biofuel production
Authors: Bateni Hamed , Karimi Keikhosro
Published: May 2016

Correction for ‘Biorefining of Eruca sativa plant for efficient biofuel production’ by Hamed Bateni et al., RSC Adv., 2016, 6, 34492–34500.
Biotemplated hierarchical polyaniline composite electrodes with high performance for flexible supercapacitors
Authors: Chang Cheng-Ming , Hu Zh-Hao , Lee Ting-Yin , Huang Yi-An , Ji Wei-Fu , Liu Wei-Ren , Yeh Jui-Ming , Wei Yen
Published: May 2016

A bioinspired structure flexible supercapacitor device with excellent electrochemical capacitance directly through a replica technique using natural resources has been developed.
Porous niobium nitride as a capacitive anode material for advanced Li-ion hybrid capacitors with superior cycling stability
Authors: Wang Peiyu , Wang Rutao , Lang Junwei , Zhang Xu , Chen Zhenkun , Yan Xingbin
Published: May 2016

Lithium-ion hybrid capacitors (LIHCs) are receiving intense interest because they can combine the distinctive advantages of Li-ion batteries and supercapacitors.
Osmium-nitrido corroles as NIR indicators for oxygen sensors and triplet sensitizers for organic upconversion and singlet oxygen generation
Authors: Borisov Sergey M. , Alemayehu Abraham , Ghosh Abhik
Published: May 2016

Readily accessible phosphorescent nitridoosmium(vi) corroles are promising sensitizers of singlet oxygen, triplet sensitizers for light upconversion and indicators for oxygen sensors.
Reconfigurable 4 × 4 multi‐port amplifier with switchable input and output matrices
Authors: Lee Han Lim , Lee Moon‐Que , Yu Jong‐Won
Published: May 2016

This study presents a new reconfigurable 4 × 4 multi‐port amplifier (MPA) configured by switchable matrices. The proposed structure adopts two 4 × 4 switchable matrices consisting of four unit‐switching mode hybrid matrix (SMHM) where each SMHM is implemented with two 3 dB couplers and two single pole four throw (SP4T) switches. Comparing with previously reported MPA structures with fixed input and output relations which are exposed to performance degradation by power amplifier (PA) failure, the proposed structure can flexibly adjust signal paths. Also, the number of PAs used for signal amplification can be adjusted by controlling proper modes of SP4Ts in switchable matrices. For 4 × 4 structure, input signal can be amplified by a single PA, two PAs or all four PAs and then be outputted to only one port, two ports or all four ports. Thus, the proposed MPA structure can effectively improve system flexibility as well as reliability in case of PA failure. For the ease of verification, the proposed structure is tested at ISM band of 902–928 MHz.
Turbulent boundary layers along straight and curved long thin circular cylinders at low angles-of-incidence
Authors: Jordan Stephen A.
Published: May 2016

Long thin circular cylinders commonly serve as towed sonar tracking devices, where the radius-of-curvature along the longitudinal axis is quite low [ρr = O(10−4)]. Because no understanding presently exists about the direct impact of longitudinal curvature on the turbulent statistics, the long cylinder is simply viewed as a chain of straight segments at various (increasing then decreasing) small inclinations to the freestream direction. Realistically, even our statistical evidence along straight thin cylinders at low incidence angles is inadequate to build solid evidence towards forming reliable empirical models. In the present study, we address these shortcomings by executing Large-Eddy Simulations (LESs) of straight and longitudinally curved thin cylinders at low to moderate turbulent radius-based Reynolds numbers (500 ≤ Rea ≤ 3500) and small angles-of-incidence (α = 0° → 9°). Coupled with the previous experimental measurements and numerical results, the new expanded database (311 ≤ Rea ≤ 56 500) delivered sufficient means to propose power-law expressions for the longitudinal evolution of the skin friction, normal drag, and turbulent boundary layer (TBL) length scales. Surprisingly, the LES computations of the curved cylinders at analogous geometric and kinematic conditions as the straight cylinder showed similar character in terms of the longitudinal skin friction. Beyond incidence 1°-3° (upper end corresponds to the highest simulated Rea), the skin friction was directly proportional to the yaw angle and monotonically shifted downward with higher Rea. Conversely, the flow structure, normal drag, TBL length scales, Reynolds stresses, and the separation state of the transverse shear layers towards regular vortex shedding for the curved cylinder were highly dissimilar than the straight one at equivalent incidence angles.
Contactless electrical conductivity measurement of metallic submicron-grain material: Application to the study of aluminum with severe plastic deformation
Authors: Mito M. , Matsui H. , Yoshida T. , Anami T. , Tsuruta K. , Deguchi H. , Iwamoto T. , Terada D. , Miyajima Y. , Tsuji N.
Published: May 2016

We measured the electrical conductivity σ of aluminum specimen consisting of submicron-grains by observing the AC magnetic susceptibility resulting from the eddy current. By using a commercial platform for magnetic measurement, contactless measurement of the relative electrical conductivity σn of a nonmagnetic metal is possible over a wide temperature (T) range. By referring to σ at room temperature, obtained by the four-terminal method, σn(T) was transformed into σ(T). This approach is useful for cylinder specimens, in which the estimation of the radius and/or volume is difficult. An experiment in which aluminum underwent accumulative roll bonding, which is a severe plastic deformation process, validated this method of evaluating σ as a function of the fraction of high-angle grain boundaries.
On the errors of local density (LDA) and generalized gradient (GGA) approximations to the Kohn-Sham potential and orbital energies
Authors: Gritsenko O. V. , Mentel Ł. M. , Baerends E. J.
Published: May 2016

In spite of the high quality of exchange-correlation energies Exc obtained with the generalized gradient approximations (GGAs) of density functional theory, their xc potentials vxc are strongly deficient, yielding upshifts of ca. 5 eV in the orbital energy spectrum (in the order of 50% of high-lying valence orbital energies). The GGAs share this deficiency with the local density approximation (LDA). We argue that this error is not caused by the incorrect long-range asymptotics of vxc or by self-interaction error. It arises from incorrect density dependencies of LDA and GGA exchange functionals leading to incorrect (too repulsive) functional derivatives (i.e., response parts of the potentials). The vxc potential is partitioned into the potential of the xc hole vxchole (twice the xc energy density ϵxc), which determines Exc, and the response potential vresp, which does not contribute to Exc explicitly. The substantial upshift of LDA/GGA orbital energies is due to a too repulsive LDA exchange response potential vxrespLDA in the bulk region. Retaining the LDA exchange hole potential plus the B88 gradient correction to it but replacing the response parts of these potentials by the model orbital-dependent response potential vxrespGLLB of Gritsenko et al. [Phys. Rev. A 51, 1944 (1995)], which has the proper step-wise form, improves the orbital energies by more than an order of magnitude. Examples are given for the prototype molecules: dihydrogen, dinitrogen, carbon monoxide, ethylene, formaldehyde, and formic acid.
An integral-factorized implementation of the driven similarity renormalization group second-order multireference perturbation theory
Authors: Hannon Kevin P. , Li Chenyang , Evangelista Francesco A.
Published: May 2016

We report an efficient implementation of a second-order multireference perturbation theory based on the driven similarity renormalization group (DSRG-MRPT2) [C. Li and F. A. Evangelista, J. Chem. Theory Comput. 11, 2097 (2015)]. Our implementation employs factorized two-electron integrals to avoid storage of large four-index intermediates. It also exploits the block structure of the reference density matrices to reduce the computational cost to that of second-order Møller–Plesset perturbation theory. Our new DSRG-MRPT2 implementation is benchmarked on ten naphthyne isomers using basis sets up to quintuple-ζ quality. We find that the singlet-triplet splittings (ΔST) of the naphthyne isomers strongly depend on the equilibrium structures. For a consistent set of geometries, the ΔST values predicted by the DSRG-MRPT2 are in good agreements with those computed by the reduced multireference coupled cluster theory with singles, doubles, and perturbative triples.
Ice Ih anomalies: Thermal contraction, anomalous volume isotope effect, and pressure-induced amorphization
Authors: Salim Michael A. , Willow Soohaeng Yoo , Hirata So
Published: May 2016

Ice Ih displays several anomalous thermodynamic properties such as thermal contraction at low temperatures, an anomalous volume isotope effect (VIE) rendering the volume of D2O ice greater than that of H2O ice, and a pressure-induced transition to the high-density amorphous (HDA) phase. Furthermore, the anomalous VIE increases with temperature, despite its quantum-mechanical origin. Here, embedded-fragment ab initio second-order many-body perturbation (MP2) theory in the quasiharmonic approximation (QHA) is applied to the Gibbs energy of an infinite, proton-disordered crystal of ice Ih at wide ranges of temperatures and pressures. The quantum effect of nuclei moving in anharmonic potentials is taken into account from first principles without any empirical or nonsystematic approximation to either the electronic or vibrational Hamiltonian. MP2 predicts quantitatively correctly the thermal contraction at low temperatures, which is confirmed to originate from the volume-contracting hydrogen-bond bending modes (acoustic phonons). It qualitatively reproduces (but underestimates) the thermal expansion at higher temperatures, caused by the volume-expanding hydrogen-bond stretching (and to a lesser extent librational) modes. The anomalous VIE is found to be the result of subtle cancellations among closely competing isotope effects on volume from all modes. Consequently, even ab initio MP2 with the aug-cc-pVDZ and aug-cc-pVTZ basis sets has difficulty reproducing this anomaly, yielding qualitatively varied predictions of the sign of the VIE depending on such computational details as the choice of the embedding field. However, the temperature growth of the anomalous VIE is reproduced robustly and is ascribed to the librational modes. These solid-state MP2 calculations, as well as MP2 Born–Oppenheimer molecular dynamics, find a volume collapse and a loss of symmetry and long-range order in ice Ih upon pressure loading of 2.35 GPa or higher. Concomitantly, rapid softening of acoustic phonons is observed starting around 2 GPa. They constitute a computational detection of a mechanical instability in ice Ih and the resulting pressure-induced amorphization to HDA.
Limiting tensile strength of liquid nitrogen
Authors: Baidakov Vladimir G. , Vinogradov Vladimir E. , Pavlov Pavel A.
Published: May 2016

The method of pulsed liquid superheating in a tension wave that forms when a compression pulse is reflected from the liquid free surface has been used to investigate the kinetics of spontaneous cavitation in liquid nitrogen. The limiting tensile stress pn of nitrogen corresponding to nucleation rates J = 1020 − 1022 s−1 m−3 and the slope of the temperature dependence of the nucleation rate GT = dlnJ/dT have been determined by experiment. The results of experiments are compared with classical nucleation theory (CNT) and a modified classical nucleation theory (MCNT), which takes into account the size dependence of the properties of a critical bubble. It has been noted that experimental data are in better agreement with the results of MCNT than with those of CNT.
Laser-pulse compression in a collisional plasma under weak-relativistic ponderomotive nonlinearity
Authors: Singh Mamta , Gupta D. N.
Published: May 2016

We present theory and numerical analysis which demonstrate laser-pulse compression in a collisional plasma under the weak-relativistic ponderomotive nonlinearity. Plasma equilibrium density is modified due to the ohmic heating of electrons, the collisions, and the weak relativistic-ponderomotive force during the interaction of a laser pulse with plasmas. First, within one-dimensional analysis, the longitudinal self-compression mechanism is discussed. Three-dimensional analysis (spatiotemporal) of laser pulse propagation is also investigated by coupling the self-compression with the self-focusing. In the regime in which the laser becomes self-focused due to the weak relativistic-ponderomotive nonlinearity, we provide results for enhanced pulse compression. The results show that the matched interplay between self-focusing and self-compression can improve significantly the temporal profile of the compressed pulse. Enhanced pulse compression can be achieved by optimizing and selecting the parameters such as collision frequency, ion-temperature, and laser intensity.
New approaches for calculating absolute surface energies of wurtzite (0001)/(0001¯): A study of ZnO and GaN
Authors: Zhang Jingzhao , Zhang Yiou , Tse Kinfai , Deng Bei , Xu Hu , Zhu Junyi
Published: May 2016

The accurate absolute surface energies of (0001)/(0001¯) surfaces of wurtzite structures are crucial in determining the thin film growth mode of important energy materials. However, the surface energies still remain to be solved due to the intrinsic difficulty of calculating the dangling bond energy of asymmetrically bonded surface atoms. In this study, we used a pseudo-hydrogen passivation method to estimate the dangling bond energy and calculate the polar surfaces of ZnO and GaN. The calculations were based on the pseudo chemical potentials obtained from a set of tetrahedral clusters or simple pseudo-molecules, using density functional theory approaches. The surface energies of (0001)/(0001¯) surfaces of wurtzite ZnO and GaN that we obtained showed relatively high self-consistencies. A wedge structure calculation with a new bottom surface passivation scheme of group-I and group-VII elements was also proposed and performed to show converged absolute surface energy of wurtzite ZnO polar surfaces, and these results were also compared with the above method. The calculated results generally show that the surface energies of GaN are higher than those of ZnO, suggesting that ZnO tends to wet the GaN substrate, while GaN is unlikely to wet ZnO. Therefore, it will be challenging to grow high quality GaN thin films on ZnO substrates; however, high quality ZnO thin film on GaN substrate would be possible. These calculations and comparisons may provide important insights into crystal growth of the above materials, thereby leading to significant performance enhancements in semiconductor devices.
In-line production of a bi-circular field for generation of helically polarized high-order harmonics
Authors: Kfir Ofer , Bordo Eliyahu , Ilan Haham Gil , Lahav Oren , Fleischer Avner , Cohen Oren
Published: May 2016

The recent demonstration of bright circularly polarized high-order harmonics of a bi-circular pump field gave rise to new opportunities in ultrafast chiral science. In previous works, the required nontrivial bi-circular pump field was produced using a relatively complicated and sensitive Mach-Zehnder-like interferometer. We propose a compact and stable in-line apparatus for converting a quasi-monochromatic linearly polarized ultrashort driving laser field into a bi-circular field and employ it for generation of helically polarized high-harmonics. Furthermore, utilizing the apparatus for a spectroscopic spin-mixing measurement, we identify the photon spins of the bi-circular weak component field that are annihilated during the high harmonics process.
Local nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy with giant magnetic resistance-based sensors
Authors: Guitard P. A. , Ayde R. , Jasmin-Lebras G. , Caruso L. , Pannetier-Lecoeur M. , Fermon C.
Published: May 2016

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy on small volumes, either on microfluidic channels or in vivo configuration, is a present challenge. We report here a high resolution NMR spectroscopy on micron scale performed with Giant Magnetic Resistance-based sensors placed in a static magnetic B0 field of 0.3 T. The sensing volume of the order of several tens of pL opens the way to high resolution spectroscopy on volumes unreached so far.
Application of a PCR-based approach to identify sex in Hawaiian honeycreepers (Drepanidinae)
Authors: I. Jarvi Susan , I. Jarvi Susan , C. Banko Paul , C. Banko Paul
Published: May 2016

The application of molecular techniques to conservation genetics issues can provide important guidance criteria for management of endangered species. The results from this study establish that PCR-based approaches for sex determination developed in other bird species (Griffiths and Tiwari 1995; Griffiths et al. 1996, 1998; Ellegren 1996) can be applied with a high degree of confidence to at least four species of Hawaiian honeycreepers. This provides a rapid, reliable method with which population managers can optimize sex ratios within populations of endangered species that are subject to artificial manipulation through captive breeding programmes or geographic translocation.
The avifauna of severely fragmented, Buloke Allocasuarina luehmanni woodland in western Victoria, Australia
Authors: M. Watson David , Ralph Mac Nally I , F. Bennett Andrew
Published: May 2016

Buloke Allocasuarina luehmanni woodland is an endangered habitat type that was once widespread in southern Australia but now is restricted to a series of remnants, many of which are located in the Wimmera region of western Victoria. The bird communities inhabiting 27 remnants were sampled on transects of 1.0 ha at 6-week intervals over one year. Ninety-five species of birds were observed in Buloke woodlands, of which 66 species were recorded during transect counts. The total species richness, the richness of groups of birds based on their habitat use, and the composition of assemblages on transects, were examined in a series of analyses with respect to habitat type (which probably reflects "quality"), remnant area, shape, isolation and geographic location. There was little evidence for attributes of remnants significantly influencing species richness per transect, but the composition of avifaunal assemblages varied in relation to habitat type, size and geographic location. The Buloke woodlands supported a diverse assemblage, including numerous species believed to be experiencing a regional decline in southern Australia. The composition of the Buloke assemblage has similarities to those of dry eucalypt woodlands across the plains of central Victoria, but elements contributing to a distinctive avifauna include species associated with semi-arid and mallee environments, and a high frequency of occurrence of a group of small insectivores (thornbills, robins) that favour dry She-oak and Callitris woodlands. A likely reason for the rich representation of small insectivores in woodland stands, even in small degraded remnants grazed by stock, was the scarcity of the Noisy Miner Manorina melanocephala that are often common in eucalypt remnants and known to aggressively exclude other species. The results of this study add weight to the recommendation that protection and restoration of Buloke woodlands is a priority for conservation in the Wimmera bioregion of Victoria.
OBITUARY: Graeme Talbot Smith February 1938-June 1999
Authors: Saunders Denis
Published: May 2016

Graeme Talbot Smith was born in Adelaide on the 10th of February 1938. He spent some of his early childhood in Brisbane where his father was on the staff of General Douglas MacArthur during the latter part of the Second World War. After the war, his family moved to Melbourne where Graeme completed his secondary schooling. He then went to Melbourne University where he majored in Zoology and Geology. The only time he professionally used any of his geological skills was when he worked in the mining industry at Kalgoorlie during one of his university breaks. Graeme chose to specialize in Zoology because he felt there was more scope for employment in that discipline. His first published paper was in 1964. It was a note on a bat mandible found in a cave in Victoria.
Education Quality and Conservation Biology
Authors: C. Calver M.
Published: May 2016

In a recent public address at Murdoch University in Perth, Western Australia, Professor Geoffrey Bolton argued that the quality of Australian university education was at risk because of an increased reliance on fee income from overseas students. He felt that faculties could be pressured to relax standards in order to maximize the pass rates of fee-paying students and thereby gain greater income for universities at the cost of cheapening the academic value of degrees. Of course, this argument was not meant to belittle the educational value of a diversity of cultural backgrounds within classes nor to imply any lack of application on the part of fee-paying students. Rather, it raised the very legitimate concern that the declining financial fortunes of Australian universities were encouraging many institutions to seek actively for fee-paying students and that growing reliance on fee income could compromise academic independence. Correspondents to the local newspaper echoed his concerns, which appear to be widespread in the university system.
Seagrass conservation: lessons from ethnobotany
Authors: Wyllie-Echeverria S. , Arzel P. , A. Cox P.
Published: May 2016

Current measures to protect and conserve seagrasses are nested in the legislative or judicial process. While this legal/judicial model may arrest activity in the short term, we contend that it may not deliver a long-term solution. We propose an alternative model, using insights derived from historical archives and participant observation interviews. People tend to conserve what they cherish and use. With the seagrass biome disappearing around the globe, we suggest one strategy for seagrass conservation lies in historical and ethnobotanical records of seagrass use.
Seagrass in Australia. A Strategic Review and Development of a Research and Development Plan
Authors: Reid T.
Published: May 2016

Australia possesses the highest diversity of seagrasses and the most extensive seagrass meadows world-wide. Unfortunately, Australia also has claim to some of the most significant declines of this habitat over the last 50 years. Seagrass in Australia reflects the shift from viewing seagrass species or even habitats as separate unconnected entities. Instead, it views them as components of larger ecosystems which incorporates the author's aim to develop a comprehensive, ecosystem based management plan.
Landscope: Fire The Force Of Life
Authors: O'Neill Kelli
Published: May 2016

The use of fire in Western Australia to manage forest ecosystems is contentious. There is huge disagreement between scientists, the environmental movement and members of the general public over the effects of prescribed burning. Some believe that the Australian flora and fauna has adapted to fire over time and needs it for their continued survival. Others perceive prescribed burning as damaging to biota. A final group of people thinks we should be applying the precautionary principle to prescribed burning. This disagreement is present due to the slim knowledge we have on fire and its management. No one really knows, how, when or if we should use prescribed burning.
The influence of recent changes in public sector management on biodiversity conservation
Authors: Jo Ann Beckwith Dr , Susan A. Moore Dr
Published: May 2016

Over the last 15 years increasing emphasis has been placed worldwide on biodiversity conservation. During the same period, the public sector which carries much of the responsibility for biodiversity conservation has experienced, in OECD countries, a revolution in management practices. Managerialism has emerged, modeled on private sector philosophies including economic efficiency and accountability. Managerialism and an increased emphasis on biodiversity conservation have occurred over the same period, however, the links have not been investigated. This paper explores the influences of managerialism on biodiversity conservation in three Western Australian state public sector agencies: the Department of Conservation and Land Management; Water and Rivers Commission; and Water Corporation. Each of the agencies has embraced managerialism in a different way, modifying elements to match organizational mandates. All have become conscious of managing political risk. Other managerialist influences include increased emphases on contracting, strategic planning and performance reporting. Understanding managerialism helps managers and researchers manage the socio-political environment to achieve desired outcomes, in this case biodiversity conservation. Managerial skills such as diplomacy, administration, decision making and leadership are essential if managers and researchers are to influence decision making and progress through agencies, given that technical expertise is no longer sufficient.
Prostanthera junonis Conn (LAMIACEAE); is recovery possible?
Authors: A. Tierney D. , L. Gross C.
Published: May 2016

Prostanthera junonis is an endangered plant from the Somersby plateau west of Gosford, New South Wales. Most populations occur in sites modified by clearing or adjacent to developments. This paper examines the current status and recovery efforts for this species in the light of research to date. Studies undertaken indicate that the species has the reproductive ecology expected of a colonising species. Autogamy, a low pollen/ovule ratio, higher seed set in open sites compared with densely vegetated sites, clonal growth, a long flowering period and flowering by young plants were recorded for the species. It is predicted that these reproductive traits should help the population recover from clearing. Comments on recovery planning are made.
Preserving Wildlife: An International Perspective
Authors: Elizabeth Tapp Nadia
Published: May 2016

PRESERVING Wildlife: An International Perspective is an anthology of twenty papers exploring the issues related to the preservation of wildlife, with an emphasis on related management approaches. This topic is introduced philosophically with a discussion of moral values associated with human activities. Sport hunting, the medical aid of injured wild animals and the manipulation of wildlife during ecological field studies are discussed within this context. The focus then shifts to a selection of wildlife management strategies including habitat protection, captive breeding, culling of non-native species, eco-tourism and marketing of wildlife products.
With Friends Like Bjorn Lomborg, Environmentalists Don't Need Enemies
Authors: Hamilton Clive , Turton Hal
Published: May 2016

LOMBORG'S stated intention is to use the statistical evidence to demolish what he calls the "litany" of four big environmental fears - exhaustion of natural resources, overpopulation, extinction of species and worsening pollution.
From the Editor's Desk
Authors: F. Recher Harry
Published: May 2016

IN a previous editorial (Recher 2002), I expressed an opinion that the opportunity should have been taken at the 1993 Conservation Biology meeting in Queensland to establish an Australasian Society for Conservation Biology. In my view, a local society would be preferable to supporting an Australasian branch of the North American Society of Conservation Biology. Mack et al. (2002) disagreed and encouraged us to support the Society for Conservation Biology's initiative to establish a regional branch. They also said that Pacific Conservation Biology should be supported as a regional journal and "expanded to reflect work being conducted throughout the region rather than its present focus on Western Australia". The last comment surprised me and I decided I needed to review the origin and content or scope of papers we have been publishing in Pacific Conservation Biology. It would be unfortunate if the journal did have a Western Australian focus, especially as my accepting Western Australia as part of the Pacific Region requires some creative geography. Such a review, I felt, would also identify subject areas and regions where we needed to make a greater effort to encourage papers for the journal.
A Tourism Classification of Australian Wildlife
Authors: R. Fulton Graham
Published: May 2016

DR GREEN is both a research ecologist and an ecotour operator, with research interests in frugivorous seed dispersal and habitat modification. Dr Higginbottom is a lecturer at Griffith University where she teaches wildlife management, vertebrate biology, and nature based tourism. Ms Northrope holds a BSc in Ecotourism from Griffith University and was awarded the Bachelor's Medal for highest overall GPA in her faculty.
The canopy, bark, soil and litter invertebrate fauna of the Darling Plateau and adjacent woodland near Perth, Western Australia, with reference to the diversity of forest and woodland invertebrates
Authors: D. Majer J. , F. Recher H. , E. Heterick B. , C. Postle A.
Published: May 2016

This paper tables and reports on pooled taxonomic data from three separate research projects involving aspects of eucalypt invertebrate ecology: canopy invertebrates in jarrah and marri forest; bark invertebrates on four eucalypt species in forest and woodland; and soil and litter fauna in jarrah and marri forest. The data support the concept of a high invertebrate biodiversity on and under southwestern eucalypts, with 1 234 adult morphospecies of invertebrates being collected from the bark alone. Despite different trapping methods used in each of the three studies, we were able to find a high degree of overlap at the family level between bark and canopy fauna (126 families were found on both bark and in the canopy representing 79.2% of 159 canopy families). Eighty identified genera were also found on both bark and canopy, which represents 46.2% of the 173 identified canopy genera. The soil and litter fauna data are not complete (a taxonomic inventory of Acarina and Formicidae is not available) but appears to be more distinctive, sharing only 24 families (= 60% of the 40 identified soil-litter families) with bark, and 17 families (= 42.5% of the soil-litter families) with the canopy. At the generic level, only seven identified genera (= 8.6% of 22 soil-litter genera) were shared between soil-litter and bark, and five genera (= 6.2% of soil-litter genera) were shared between soil-litter and the canopy. An examination of the trophic guilds reveals that fungivores-decomposers were very diverse in soil and litter (accounting for approximately 50% of the biodiversity in these substrates). This guild was much less diverse on the canopy (21.6% of the canopy diversity) and the bark (16.9% of bark diversity). Sap-sucking organisms were more diverse in soil (13.9%) and litter (12.8%) than on the canopy (5.3%) or on bark (5.9%). The canopy result is surprising, and suggests that not many invertebrate species are able to feed on the sap of southwestern eucalypts, the sap of which may contain a high proportion of toxic compounds. Predators were more diverse on the canopy and on bark (?19-23% of total taxa) than in soil and litter (? 9-9.5%), as were parasitoids (18.7% and 22.5% compared with 10.5% and 14.8%). Epiphyte grazers and phytophages were not very diverse (=11 %) on any of the substrates, and representatives of other guilds or organisms whose diet was unknown accounted for less than 2.5% of the total diversity. Tourist species were not recognised among the soil and litter fauna, though they were found in the canopy and on bark, and ants were not quantified for soil and litter.
Understanding the impacts of recreation in Australian protected areas: Quantifying damage caused by horse riding in D'Entrecasteaux National Park, Western Australia
Authors: Phillips N. , Newsome D.
Published: May 2016

There is presently very little published quantitative information on the environmental impacts of recreational horse riding. Particularly in Western Australia the lack of "hard evidence" concerning the environmental impacts of horse riding hinders objective judgement of damage caused by horse riding in national parks. This paper presents data on horse riding impacts in a Western Australian (D'Entrecasteaux) national park. The research measured vegetation and soil impacts caused by horse use in un-tracked areas with the specific aim of relating the amount of horse use to degree of environmental impact. Horse riding altered plant species composition, increased the area of bare ground and decreased height and cover of vegetation. Significant impacts occurred after only low levels of horse use. The findings indicate the need for a database on horse riding impact in Australia so that, where horse riding is allowed, impacts can be properly assessed and effectively managed.
After the Ark? Environmental Policy Making and the Zoo
Authors: Man Shakya Deepak
Published: May 2016

"AFTER the Ark? Environmental Policy Making and the Zoo" is the outcome of the research on zoos Mazur conducted between 1993 and 1999. The author metaphorically relates zoos to the story of Noah's Ark that saved all species during the great flood. Unlike Noah who had enough space, she underlines that today modern zoos face more restrictions in space and management policies. The author gives a clear picture of how zoos evolved from menageries to zoos today. She discusses the influence of the modern day environmental policies on how zoos are managed and its sustainability.
The value of Animal Ethics Committees for wildlife research in conservation biology - an Australian perspective
Authors: E. Dyson Susan , C. Calver Michael
Published: May 2016

ANIMAL Ethics Committees evaluate research proposals according to the Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes (NHMRC 1997). All Australian universities, the CSIRO, many agencies controlled by the states and other organizations adhere to the specifications. The 1997 revision of the Code of Practice explicitly broadened its scope from laboratory animals to include field-based ecological studies, such as those conducted by conservation biologists. However, in defining an animal as "any live non-human vertebrate" invertebrates are excluded by the Code.
Australian bat research: the limitations of The Action Plan for Australian Bats in determining the direction of research
Authors: Lunney Daniel , Matthews Alison , Adams Stein Jesse , W M. Lunney H.
Published: May 2016

The Action Plan for Australian Bats is a Commonwealth initiative (Duncan et al. 1999a) which sets out the species considered to be in need of conservation and recommends Commonwealth funding to be applied. The argument of the present paper is that the Action Plan does not provide an adequate basis for bat research in Australia because it concentrates almost exclusively on a small number of threatened species and omits general bat research. This argument is supported by recent surveys of the opinions of bat researchers. The threatened species determinations of the various States also suffer from the same deficiency, i.e., threatened species have become the focus of attention at the expense of the conservation of all bat species. This increasing emphasis on threatened species, particularly those now on the national list, diminishes the possibility of carrying out basic bat research or research on species threatened at State level (at least in New South Wales) but not listed on a federal level under current national criteria. We contend that a better approach would be to focus on the threatening processes that affect all bat species (including non-threatened species) across the country in order to simultaneously determine strategies for protecting those that are threatened, as well as instituting measures that will prevent others from declining.