WorldWideScience

Sample records for biodiversity 2nd annual

  1. The effects of energy grass plantations on biodiversity. 2nd annual report

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Semere, T.; Slater, F.

    2004-07-01

    This report, which covers the year 2003 growing season, is the second annual report about a project to investigate the ecological impact on biodiversity of plantations of biomass grass crops grown in Hertfordshire in the UK. Wildlife monitoring was carried out at five field sites growing the perennial rhizomatous grass crops Miscanthus, reed canary grass and switch grass. The report covers the findings from wildlife surveys for the 2003 season, the final results from the invertebrate identification from the 2002 season, data entry from the 2002 and 2003 seasons, and the continued invertebrate identification during the 2003 season. Butterfly assessments and an evaluation of crop characteristics such as plant height, plant/stem density and biomass yield were also performed. Results are presented with respect to crop field characteristics, pests and diseases, ground flora, ground beetles, birds, small mammals, butterflies and epigeal invertebrates. Plans for the next growing season are outlined.

  2. Introduction on the 2nd annual general meeting of ARCCNM

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Zhao Jun; He Zuoxiang; Dang Yaping

    2003-01-01

    This paper outlines general information on the 2nd annual general meeting of ARCCNM (Asian Regional Cooperative Council for Nuclear Medicine). The international symposium exchanged new development recently on basic and clinical nuclear medicine. Asian school of nuclear medicine is an educational enterprise of ARCCNM, and the objective is to organize and coordinate academic and training programs in nuclear medicine. It will promote nuclear medicine in Asia region through enhancing regional scientific activities and research collaboration

  3. 32nd Annual conference and the 22nd annual theoretical seminar of the South African Institute of Physics

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    1987-01-01

    The 32nd annual conference and the 22nd annual theoretical seminar of the South African Institute of Physics was held from 13-17 July 1987 at the University of Natal, Durban. This publication contains only the abstracts of seminars delivered on the conference. The topics that were covered include the various facets of physics such as solid state physics, nuclear and particle physics, optics and spectroscopy, solar-terrestrial physics, education, and applied and industial physics

  4. Association of engineering geologists 32nd annual meeting

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Anon.

    1989-01-01

    This book contains the proceedings of the 32nd Annual Meeting of the Association of Engineering Geologists. Included are the following articles: Engineering geology---a tool in petroleum exploration ventures font, The soil headspace survey method as an indicator of soil and groundwater contamination by petroleum products, Determination of compressive strength of coal for pillar design hirt

  5. The 2nd Annual Clinical Scientist Trainee Symposium, August 22, 2017, London, Canada.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Yin, Charles; Blom, Jessica N; Lewis, James F

    2018-03-27

    Clinician scientists play a critical role in bridging research and clinical practice. Unfortunately, the neglect of research training in medical schools has created clinicians who are unable to translate evidence from literature to practice. Furthermore, the erosion of research training in medical education has resulted in clinicians who lack the skills required for successful scientific investigation. To counteract this, the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry has made an effort to engage trainees, at all levels, in the research process. The 2nd Annual Clinician Scientist Trainee Symposium was held in London, Ontario, Canada on August 22, 2017. Organized each year since 2016 by the Schulich Research Office, the symposium features research being conducted by trainees in Schulich's Clinical Research Training Program. The focus this year was on the current state of clinician-scientist training in Canada and visions for the path ahead.

  6. 22nd Annual congress of the South African Society of Pathologists

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    1982-01-01

    This publication only contains the abstracts of papers delivered on the 22nd annual congress of the South African Society of Pathologists on 5-7 July 1987. The topics covered, include anatomical pathology, haematology, biochemistry microbiology, and immunology

  7. Abstracts from the 32nd Annual Scientific Meeting of the Canadian Geriatrics Society Quebec City, April 2012

    OpenAIRE

    Auais, M.; Morin, S.; Finch, L.; Sara, A.; Mayo, N.; Charise, A.; Islam, A.; Muir, Susan; Montero-Odasso, Manuel; Kennedy, C.C.; Papaioannou, A.; Ioannidis, G.; Giangregorio, L.M.; Adachi, J.D.; Thabane, L.

    2012-01-01

    The opinions expressed in the abstracts are those of the authors and are not to be construed as the opinion of the publisher (Canadian Geriatrics Society) or the organizers of the 32nd Annual Scientific Meeting of the Canadian Geriatrics Society. Although the publisher (Canadian Geriatrics Society) has made every effort to accurately reproduce the abstracts, the Canadian Geriatrics Society and the 32nd Annual Scientific Meeting of the Canadian Geriatrics Society assumes no responsibility and/...

  8. Lanthanite-(Nd), Nd2(CO3)3·8H2O

    Science.gov (United States)

    Morrison, Shaunna M.; Andrade, Marcelo B.; Wenz, Michelle D.; Domanik, Kenneth J.; Downs, Robert T.

    2013-01-01

    Lanthanite-(Nd), ideally Nd2(CO3)3·8H2O [dineodymium(III) tricarbonate octa­hydrate], is a member of the lanthanite mineral group characterized by the general formula REE 2(CO3)3·8H2O, where REE is a 10-coordinated rare earth element. Based on single-crystal X-ray diffraction of a natural sample from Mitsukoshi, Hizen-cho, Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture, Japan, this study presents the first structure determination of lanthanite-(Nd). Its structure is very similar to that of other members of the lanthanite group. It is composed of infinite sheets made up of corner- and edge-sharing of two NdO10-polyhedra (both with site symmetry ..2) and two carbonate triangles (site symmetries ..2 and 1) parallel to the ab plane, and stacked perpendicular to c. These layers are linked to one another only through hydrogen bonding involving the water mol­ecules. PMID:23476479

  9. Afs password expiration starts Feb 2nd 2004

    CERN Multimedia

    2004-01-01

    Due to security reasons, and in agreement with CERN management, afs/lxplus passwords will fall into line with Nice/Mail passwords on February 2nd and expire annually. As of the above date afs account holders who have not changed their passwords for over a year will have a 60 day grace period to make a change. Following this date their passwords will become invalid. What does this mean to you? If you have changed your afs password in the past 10 months the only difference is that 60 days before expiration you will receive a warning message. Similar warnings will also appear nearer the time of expiration. If you have not changed your password for more than 10 months, then, as of February 2nd you will have 60 days to change it using the command ‘kpasswd'. Help to choose a good password can be found at: http://security.web.cern.ch/security/passwords/ If you have been given a temporary password at any time by the Helpdesk or registration team this will automatically fall into the expiration category ...

  10. Biodiversity Monitoring Using NGS Approaches on Unusual Substrates (2013 DOE JGI Genomics of Energy and Environment 8th Annual User Meeting)

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Gilbert, Tom

    2013-03-01

    Tom Gilbert of the Natural History Museum of Denmark on "Biodiversity monitoring using NGS approaches on unusual substrates" at the 8th Annual Genomics of Energy & Environment Meeting in Walnut Creek, Calif.

  11. Selected Papers & Abstracts from the Annual International Conference of the Association for Experiential Education (32nd, Norfolk, Virginia, November 4-7, 2004)

    Science.gov (United States)

    Roberts, Nina S., Ed.; Galloway, Shayne, Ed.

    2005-01-01

    In an effort to persist with providing members--and interested others--with the content of workshops from the 32nd Annual Conference held in Norfolk, the Association for Experiential Education (AEE) has decided to develop a hybrid publication that has materialized in two parts. Part I includes 11 papers: (1) Adventure Coaching (Doug Gray); (2)…

  12. Exogenous attention enhances 2nd-order contrast sensitivity

    Science.gov (United States)

    Barbot, Antoine; Landy, Michael S.; Carrasco, Marisa

    2011-01-01

    Natural scenes contain a rich variety of contours that the visual system extracts to segregrate the retinal image into perceptually coherent regions. Covert spatial attention helps extract contours by enhancing contrast sensitivity for 1st-order, luminance-defined patterns at attended locations, while reducing sensitivity at unattended locations, relative to neutral attention allocation. However, humans are also sensitive to 2nd-order patterns such as spatial variations of texture, which are predominant in natural scenes and cannot be detected by linear mechanisms. We assess whether and how exogenous attention—the involuntary and transient capture of spatial attention—affects the contrast sensitivity of channels sensitive to 2nd-order, texture-defined patterns. Using 2nd-order, texture-defined stimuli, we demonstrate that exogenous attention increases 2nd-order contrast sensitivity at the attended location, while decreasing it at unattended locations, relative to a neutral condition. By manipulating both 1st- and 2nd-order spatial frequency, we find that the effects of attention depend both on 2nd-order spatial frequency of the stimulus and the observer’s 2nd-order spatial resolution at the target location. At parafoveal locations, attention enhances 2nd-order contrast sensitivity to high, but not to low 2nd-order spatial frequencies; at peripheral locations attention also enhances sensitivity to low 2nd-order spatial frequencies. Control experiments rule out the possibility that these effects might be due to an increase in contrast sensitivity at the 1st-order stage of visual processing. Thus, exogenous attention affects 2nd-order contrast sensitivity at both attended and unattended locations. PMID:21356228

  13. Immunotherapies in transplantation and cancer: 22nd NAT meeting/2nd NAT LabEx IGO joint meeting; 1-2 June 2017, Nantes, France.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Simon, Sylvain; Charpentier, Maud; Anegon, Ignacio; Labarriere, Nathalie

    2017-09-01

    This 22nd edition of the Nantes Actualités Transplantation annual meeting was co-organized for the second time with the LabEx Immuno-Graft Oncology network. This international meeting was held on 1 and 2 June 2017 in Nantes (western France). The topic of this 2-day meeting was 'Immunotherapies in transplantation and cancer'. This meeting brought together 17 international invited speakers, young researchers and 220 attendees mainly from Europe and North America. It was a unique opportunity to bring together the pioneers and leading immunologists in the fields of transplantation and cancer, focusing on shared mechanisms that control immune responses in organ or bone marrow transplantation and in cancer.

  14. Porous Na2O-B2O3-Nd2O3 material

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    De Villiers, D R; Res, M A; Richter, P W

    1986-12-01

    Substitution of SiO2 by Nd2O3 in the sodium borosilicate system produced glasses containing up to 50 mass% Nd2O3. Sodium borate was leached out of some of the materials to produce either a porous Nd2O3-rich glass or a porous glass-ceramic containing NdBO3, depending on the starting material. Surface areas of up to 190 mS g- were measured. Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed the NdBO3 to be the high-temperature form with low symmetry.

  15. C-type Nd2Se3

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    2009-03-01

    Full Text Available The title compound, neodymium sesquiselenide, is isotypic with the other known rare-earth metal(III selenides M2Se3 (M = La–Pr and Sm–Lu with the cubic C-type structure. It adopts a cation-defective Th3P4-type arrangement with close to 8/9 of the unique neodymium-cation site occupied, leading to the composition Nd2.667Se4 (Z = 4 or Nd2Se3 (Z = 5.333, respectively. The Nd3+ cations are thus surrounded by eight selenide anions, forming trigonal [NdSe8]13− dodecahedra, whereas the Se2− anions exhibit a sixfold coordination, but due to the under-occupation of neodymium, each one is statistically surrounded by only 5.333 cations. The crystal studied was a merohedral twin with a 0.31 (6:0.69 (6 domain ratio.

  16. Quantitative Psychology : the 82nd Annual Meeting of the Psychometric Society

    CERN Document Server

    Culpepper, Steven; Janssen, Rianne; González, Jorge; Molenaar, Dylan

    2018-01-01

    This proceedings book highlights the latest research and developments in psychometrics and statistics. Featuring contributions presented at the 82nd Annual Meeting of the Psychometric Society (IMPS), organized by the University of Zurich and held in Zurich, Switzerland from July 17 to 21, 2017, its 34 chapters address a diverse range of psychometric topics including item response theory, factor analysis, causal inference, Bayesian statistics, test equating, cognitive diagnostic models and multistage adaptive testing. The IMPS is one of the largest international meetings on quantitative measurement in psychology, education and the social sciences, attracting over 500 participants and 250 paper presentations from around the world every year. This book gathers the contributions of selected presenters, which were subsequently expanded and peer-reviewed.

  17. Absorption spectra of CsNd(MoO4)2 and CsGd(MoO4)2-Nd3+ crystals in strong magnetic fields

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Gorban', I.S.; Kozeeva, L.P.; Slobodyanyuk, A.V.; Shevchenko, V.A.

    1987-01-01

    The comparison of the electronic structure of Nd 3+ in CsNd(MoO 4 ) 2 and CsGd(MoO 4 ) 2 - Nd 3+ crystals is made. It is established that in these crystals the activator centers, mainly, of the certain type with the symmetry of the local environment C 2 are formed. The absorption spectra of self-activated CsNd(MoO 4 ) 2 crystal differ from spectra of CsGd(MoO 4 ) 2 - Nd 3+ by the presence of the vibrating structure. The Stark splittings of energy levels of Nd 3+ in the investigated crystalline matrices are more sensitive to the environment effect than the Zeeman ones. The ground state of Nd 3+ ion in CsNd(MoO 4 ) 2 and CsGd(MoO 4 ) 2 molybdates is characterized by the similar values of g-factors

  18. Mass spectrometric study of Nd2S3 vaporization

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Fenochka, B.V.

    1987-01-01

    The authors conduct a mass-spectrometric study of neodymium(III) sulfide vaporization. The chemical composition of the samples was stoichiometric and the samples were vaporized from tantalum effusion cells. When the vapor over Nd 2 S 3 is ionized by electrons the mass spectra shows monovalent cations of Nd, S, NdS, and NdO. The enthalpy of vaporization if Nd atoms from Nd 2 S 3 at average experimental temperatures and the standard enthalpy of reaction is shown. Also presented is the enthalpy of vaporization of NdS molecules from Nd 2 S 3 at average experimental temperatures and the standard enthalpy of reaction

  19. The 22nd Annual Precise Time and Time Interval (PTTI) Applications and Planning Meeting

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Sydnor, R.L.

    1990-05-01

    Papers presented at the 22nd Annual Precise Time and Time Interval (PTTI) Applications and Planning Meeting are compiled. The following subject areas are covered: Rb, Cs, and H-based frequency standards and cryogenic and trapped-ion technology; satellite laser tracking networks, GLONASS timing, intercomparison of national time scales and international telecommunications; telecommunications, power distribution, platform positioning, and geophysical survey industries; military communications and navigation systems; and dissemination of precise time and frequency by means of GPS, GLONASS, MIL STAR, LORAN, and synchronous communication satellites

  20. Project 2nd Periodic Report - Section 2

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Healy, Mark; Knowles, Emma; Johnstone, Cameron

    The work described in this publication has received support from the European Community - Research Infrastructure Action under the FP7 “Capacities” Specific Programme through grant agreement number 262552, MaRINET. Project Periodic Report. 2nd Period: October 2012 – March 2014 inclusive.......The work described in this publication has received support from the European Community - Research Infrastructure Action under the FP7 “Capacities” Specific Programme through grant agreement number 262552, MaRINET. Project Periodic Report. 2nd Period: October 2012 – March 2014 inclusive....

  1. Antiferromagnetic Nd ordering in NdPd{sub 2}Ga{sub 3}

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Doenni, A.; Fischer, P.; Fauth, F.; Zolliker, M. [Paul Scherrer Inst. (PSI), Villigen (Switzerland); Bauer, E. [Technische Univ., Vienna (Austria)

    1997-09-01

    The ternary intermetallic compound NdPd{sub 2}Ga{sub 3} was investigated by powder neutron diffraction: the crystal structure agrees well with the ordered hexagonal PrNi{sub 2}Al{sub 3}-type structure. The antiferromagnetic ordering below T{sub N} 6.5 K corresponds to a propagation vector k = [1/2,0,0]. The ordered magnetic Nd moments of (1.99 {+-} 0.04) {mu}{sub B} at saturation lie in the basal plane due to the crystal-electric field anisotropy and are oriented perpendicular to the propagation vector. (author) 1 fig., 1 tab., 2 refs.

  2. Electronic structure of layered titanate Nd 2Ti 2O 7

    Science.gov (United States)

    Atuchin, V. V.; Gavrilova, T. A.; Grivel, J.-C.; Kesler, V. G.

    2008-10-01

    The electronic structure of the binary titanate Nd 2Ti 2O 7 has been studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Spectral features of the valence band and all constituent element core levels have been considered. The Auger parameters of titanium and oxygen in Nd 2Ti 2O 7 are determined as αTi = 873.5 and αO = 1042.2 eV. Chemical bonding effects have been discussed with the binding energies differences ΔTi = (BE O 1s - BE Ti 2p 3/2) = 71.5 eV and ΔNd = (BE Nd 3d 5/2 - BE O 1s) = 452.5 eV as key parameters in comparison with those in other titanium- and neodymium-bearing oxides.

  3. Mixed alkali neodymium orthoborates: K_9Li_3Nd_3(BO_3)_7 and A_2LiNd(BO_3)_2 (A = Rb, Cs)

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Chen, Pengyun; Xia, Mingjun; Li, Rukang

    2016-01-01

    Crystals of mixed alkali neodymium orthoborates, K_9Li_3Nd_3(BO_3)_7 and A_2LiNd(BO_3)_2 (A = Rb, Cs) were obtained by spontaneous crystallization. K_9Li_3Nd_3(BO_3)_7 crystallizes in space group P2/c with cell parameters of a = 11.4524(7) Aa, b = 10.1266(6) Aa, c = 12.3116 (10) Aa, β = 122.0090(10) . In the structure, NdO_8 polyhedra share corners and connect with planer BO_3 groups to form infinite [Nd_3B_3O_2_1]_n chains. These chains are linked by additional BO_3 groups to produce a double layer of [Nd_6B_6O_3_8]_n blocks in the ac plane with K and Li ions filled into the cavities. A_2LiNd(BO_3)_2 (A = Rb, Cs) crystallizes in space group Pbcm, with cell parameters of a = 7.113(2) Aa, b = 9.691(3) Aa and c = 10.135(3) Aa for Rb_2LiNd(BO_3)_2, and a = 7.2113(3) Aa, b = 9.9621(4) Aa, and c = 10.3347(4) Aa for Cs_2LiNd(BO_3)_2. In the structure, NdO_8 polyhedra are corner-sharing with each other and further interlinked by BO_3 groups to comprise the infinite [Nd_4B_4O_2_4] sheets in the bc plane, with Rb/Cs and Li ions occupying the interlayered space. The compounds show effective near-IR emission and their associated lifetimes are obtained by fluorescence spectra. (Copyright copyright 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

  4. The expression characteristics of mt-ND2 gene in chicken.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Zhang, Wenwen; Hou, Lingling; Wang, Ting; Lu, Weiwei; Tao, Yafei; Chen, Wen; Du, Xiaohui; Huang, Yanqun

    2016-09-01

    Subunit 2 of NADH dehydrogenase (ND2) is encoded by the mt-ND2 gene and plays a critical role in controlling the production of the mitochondrial reactive oxygen species. Our study focused on exploring the mt-ND2 tissue expression patterns and the effects of energy restriction and dietary fat (linseed oil, corn oil, sesame oil or lard) level (2.5% and 5%) on its expression in chicken. The results showed that mt-ND2 gene was expressed in the 15 tissues of hybrid chickens with the highest level in heart and lowest level in pancreas tissue; 30% energy restriction did not significantly affect mt-ND2 mRNA level in chicken liver tissue. Both the mt-ND2 mRNA levels in chicken pectoralis (p chicken age (p chicken age (p chicken age.

  5. Influence of microstructural change of the interface between Nd2Fe14B and Nd-O phases on coercivity of Nd-Fe-B films by oxidation and subsequent low-temperature annealing

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Matsuura, Masashi; Tezuka, Nobuki; Sugimoto, Satoshi; Goto, Ryota

    2011-01-01

    This study provides the influence of microstructural change of the interface between Nd 2 Fe 14 B and Nd-O phases on coercivity of Nd-Fe-B thin films during annealing at low temperature (∼350 deg. C). All films were prepared by using ultra high vacuum (UHV) magnetron sputtering, and the Nd-Fe-B layer was oxidized under Ar gas atmosphere (O 2 content; ∼2 Vol.ppm). Then, the films were annealed at 250-350 deg. C under UHV condition. After oxidation, the coercivity of Nd-Fe-B film decreased to around 40% of the coercivity of as-deposited Nd-Fe-B film. The Nd-rich phase changed from α-Nd to amorphous Nd(-O), and the interface of Nd 2 Fe 14 B/Nd(-O) became rough. In the Nd-Fe-B films oxidized and subsequent annealed at 350 deg. C, the coercivity decreased to around 20%. In the films, poly crystalline hcp Nd 2 O 3 phase crystallized in Nd-rich phase, and there were some steps at the surface of Nd 2 Fe 14 B phase contacting with hcp Nd 2 O 3 phase. Regardless of crystal orientation of Nd 2 Fe 14 B, the microstructural changes of the interface described above were observed.

  6. Assessing the Cost of Global Biodiversity and Conservation Knowledge.

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Diego Juffe-Bignoli

    Full Text Available Knowledge products comprise assessments of authoritative information supported by standards, governance, quality control, data, tools, and capacity building mechanisms. Considerable resources are dedicated to developing and maintaining knowledge products for biodiversity conservation, and they are widely used to inform policy and advise decision makers and practitioners. However, the financial cost of delivering this information is largely undocumented. We evaluated the costs and funding sources for developing and maintaining four global biodiversity and conservation knowledge products: The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems, Protected Planet, and the World Database of Key Biodiversity Areas. These are secondary data sets, built on primary data collected by extensive networks of expert contributors worldwide. We estimate that US$160 million (range: US$116-204 million, plus 293 person-years of volunteer time (range: 278-308 person-years valued at US$ 14 million (range US$12-16 million, were invested in these four knowledge products between 1979 and 2013. More than half of this financing was provided through philanthropy, and nearly three-quarters was spent on personnel costs. The estimated annual cost of maintaining data and platforms for three of these knowledge products (excluding the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems for which annual costs were not possible to estimate for 2013 is US$6.5 million in total (range: US$6.2-6.7 million. We estimated that an additional US$114 million will be needed to reach pre-defined baselines of data coverage for all the four knowledge products, and that once achieved, annual maintenance costs will be approximately US$12 million. These costs are much lower than those to maintain many other, similarly important, global knowledge products. Ensuring that biodiversity and conservation knowledge products are sufficiently up to date, comprehensive and accurate is fundamental to inform

  7. Assessing the Cost of Global Biodiversity and Conservation Knowledge.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Juffe-Bignoli, Diego; Brooks, Thomas M; Butchart, Stuart H M; Jenkins, Richard B; Boe, Kaia; Hoffmann, Michael; Angulo, Ariadne; Bachman, Steve; Böhm, Monika; Brummitt, Neil; Carpenter, Kent E; Comer, Pat J; Cox, Neil; Cuttelod, Annabelle; Darwall, William R T; Di Marco, Moreno; Fishpool, Lincoln D C; Goettsch, Bárbara; Heath, Melanie; Hilton-Taylor, Craig; Hutton, Jon; Johnson, Tim; Joolia, Ackbar; Keith, David A; Langhammer, Penny F; Luedtke, Jennifer; Nic Lughadha, Eimear; Lutz, Maiko; May, Ian; Miller, Rebecca M; Oliveira-Miranda, María A; Parr, Mike; Pollock, Caroline M; Ralph, Gina; Rodríguez, Jon Paul; Rondinini, Carlo; Smart, Jane; Stuart, Simon; Symes, Andy; Tordoff, Andrew W; Woodley, Stephen; Young, Bruce; Kingston, Naomi

    2016-01-01

    Knowledge products comprise assessments of authoritative information supported by standards, governance, quality control, data, tools, and capacity building mechanisms. Considerable resources are dedicated to developing and maintaining knowledge products for biodiversity conservation, and they are widely used to inform policy and advise decision makers and practitioners. However, the financial cost of delivering this information is largely undocumented. We evaluated the costs and funding sources for developing and maintaining four global biodiversity and conservation knowledge products: The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems, Protected Planet, and the World Database of Key Biodiversity Areas. These are secondary data sets, built on primary data collected by extensive networks of expert contributors worldwide. We estimate that US$160 million (range: US$116-204 million), plus 293 person-years of volunteer time (range: 278-308 person-years) valued at US$ 14 million (range US$12-16 million), were invested in these four knowledge products between 1979 and 2013. More than half of this financing was provided through philanthropy, and nearly three-quarters was spent on personnel costs. The estimated annual cost of maintaining data and platforms for three of these knowledge products (excluding the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems for which annual costs were not possible to estimate for 2013) is US$6.5 million in total (range: US$6.2-6.7 million). We estimated that an additional US$114 million will be needed to reach pre-defined baselines of data coverage for all the four knowledge products, and that once achieved, annual maintenance costs will be approximately US$12 million. These costs are much lower than those to maintain many other, similarly important, global knowledge products. Ensuring that biodiversity and conservation knowledge products are sufficiently up to date, comprehensive and accurate is fundamental to inform decision-making for

  8. The History of the 2nd Ranger Company

    National Research Council Canada - National Science Library

    Bond, Victor

    2003-01-01

    The purpose of this research project is to uncover the history of the 2nd Ranger Company and to determine the impact segregation had on the selection, training, and combat operations of the 2nd Ranger Company...

  9. Electronic structure of layered titanate Nd2Ti2O7

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Atuchin, V.V.; Gavrilova, T.A.; Grivel, Jean-Claude

    2008-01-01

    The electronic structure of the binary titanate Nd2Ti2O7 has been studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Spectral features of the valence band and all constituent element core levels have been considered. The Auger parameters of titanium and oxygen in Nd2Ti2O7 are determined as alpha...

  10. Effect of mixing RE elements (Nd, Sm, Gd, Eu, Y, Yb) on the RE2BaCuO5/Nd4-2xBa2+2xCu2-xO10-2x phases in RE cuprate high-Tc superconductors

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Langhorn, J.B.; Black, M.A.; McGinn, P.J.

    1999-01-01

    The phases RE 2 BaCuO 5 /RE 4 Ba 2 Cu 2 O 10 phases (where RE is a mixture of Nd, Sm, Gd, Eu, Y and Yb) have been synthesized in an oxygen atmosphere and subsequently characterized. The mixing of RE elements which inherently form the RE 2 BaCuO 5 phase through the peritectic decomposition of REBa 2 Cu 3 O 7-x (RE123) (i.e. Sm, Gd, Eu, Y, Yb), was observed to give homogeneous mixing of the elements in the 211 phase. In contrast it was found that on mixing Nd with other RE elements a mixture of the Nd 4-2x Ba 2+2x Cu 2-x O 10-2x (Nd422) and RE 2 BaCuO 5 (RE211) phases resulted. It was also observed that on mixing Nd with other REs a finite amount of the RE is substituted into the Nd422 phase and Nd into the RE211. (author)

  11. Biodiversity: past, present and future

    Science.gov (United States)

    Rubidge, Emily M.; Burton, A. Cole; Vamosi, Steven M.

    2012-01-01

    On 12–15 May 2011, a diverse group of students, researchers and practitioners from across Canada and around the world met in Banff, Alberta, to discuss the many facets of biodiversity science at the 6th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Society for Ecology and Evolution. PMID:21733869

  12. Perspectives on Art Therapy: The Proceedings of the Pittsburgh Conference on Art Therapy (2nd, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, May 20, 1977).

    Science.gov (United States)

    Roth, Ellen A., Ed.; Rubin, Judith A., Ed.

    The proceedings of the 2nd annual Pittsburgh Conference on Art Therapy (with handicapped persons) consists of 44 items including full length papers, summaries of previously published papers, descriptions of workshops, and a limited number of abstracts (submitted by those who chose not to present a paper or workshop description). The papers are…

  13. Proceedings of the Annual Symposium on Frequency Control (42nd) Held in Baltimore, Maryland on 1-3 June 1988

    Science.gov (United States)

    1988-06-03

    to the music of popcorn noise is associated with some surface Bach and the Beatles . In particular, flicker contamination and that improved fabrication...PROCEEDINGS OF THE 42ND ANNUAL FREQUENCY CONTROL SYMPOSIUM 1988 CoSponsored by the U.S. ARMY ELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY AND DEVICES LABORATORY and THE ...THIS DOCUMENT IS BEST QUALITY AVAILABLE. THE COPY FURNISHED TO DTIC CONTAINED A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF PAGES WHICH DO NOT REPRODUCE LEGIBLY. Abstracting

  14. Subsolidus phase relations of Bi2O3-Nd2O3-CuO

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Sun Yezhou

    1997-01-01

    The subsolidus phase relations of the Bi 2 O 3 -Nd 2 O 3 -CuO ternary system and its binary systems along with crystallographic parameters of the compounds were investigated by X-ray powder diffraction and differential thermal analysis. The room temperature section of the phase diagram of the Bi 2 O 3 -Nd 2 O 3 -CuO system can be divided into two diphase regions and six triphase regions. No ternary compound was found. There exist two solid solutions (α, β) and a compound Bi 0.55 Nd 0.45 O 1.5 in the (Bi 2 O 2 ) 1-x (Nd 2 O 3 ) x system. Both solid solution α (0.05≤x≤0.30) and β (0.53≤x≤0.73) belong to the rhombohedral system (R3m). The lattice parameters represented by a hexagonal cell are a=3.9832(4), c=27.536(5) A for Bi 0.8 Nd 0.2 O 1.5 (α phase) and a=3.8826(3), c=9.727(1) A for Bi 0.4 Nd 0.8 O 1.5 (β phase). The Bi 0.55 Nd 0.45 O 1.5 compound crystallizes in a face-centered cubic (f.c.c.) lattice with a=5.5480(2) A. (orig.)

  15. Studi On Oxidation State Of U In Ba2NdUO6

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Firman Windarto, Hendri

    1996-01-01

    Ba 2 NdUO 6 is not of the important compounds that is formed from a solidification process for high level liquid waste using super high temperature method Ba 2 NdUO 6 has ordered perovskite structure. The objective of this study is to investigate oxidation state of U in Ba 2 NdUO 6 . The properties of Ba 2 NdUO 6 were observed by using Faraday-type torsion magnetometer and X-ray Photoelectron Spectrometer (XPS). The magnetic susceptibility measured in the temperature range of 4K to room temperature showed that the Ba 2 NdUO 6 is paramagnetism that obeys the Curie-Weiss law. The effective moment of Ba 2 NdUO 6 is 3.04 μB. The results of xPs spectrum showed that the peaks of U4f for Ba 2 NdUO 6 appeared exactly between binding energy of UO 2 and UO 3 . It can be concluded that Ba 2 NdUO 6 has binding energy peaks corresponding to pentavalent uranium

  16. Supplement to the Proceedings of the Annual Symposium on Frequency Control (42nd) Held in Baltimore, Maryland on 1-3 June 1988. Subject and Author Index for the Proceedings for the 10th to 42nd Symposia on Frequency Control and Symposium Historical Information, 1946-1988

    Science.gov (United States)

    1988-01-01

    Supplement to the Proceedings of the 42nd Annual Symposium on Frequency Control 1988 Subject and Author Index for the Proceedings of the 10th to 42nd...nsducers . ............................... 71 14/ Other Topics ............................................. 727V" Author / Index ....................................................... 740...John R. Vig, US Army Electronics Technology and Devices Laboratory (LABCOM) This index consists of a subject index and an author index . Each paper

  17. Coercivity enhancement in hot deformed Nd2Fe14B-type magnets by doping low-melting RCu alloys (R = Nd, Dy, Nd + Dy)

    Science.gov (United States)

    Lee, Y. I.; Huang, G. Y.; Shih, C. W.; Chang, W. C.; Chang, H. W.; You, J. S.

    2017-10-01

    Magnetic properties of the anisotropic NdFeB magnets prepared by hot pressing followed by die-upsetting NdFeB MQU-F powders doped with low-melting RCu alloy powders were explored, where RCu stands for Nd70Cu30, Dy70Cu30 and (Nd0.5Dy0.5)70Cu30, respectively. In addition, the post-annealing at 600 °C was employed to modify the microstructures and the magnetic properties of the hot deformed magnets. It is found that doping RCu alloy powders is effective in enhancing the coercivity of the hot deformed NdFeB magnets from 15.1 kOe to 16.3-19.5 kOe. For Nd70Cu30-doped magnets, the increment of coercivity is only 1.2 kOe. Meanwhile, Dy70Cu30-doped and (Nd0.5Dy0.5)70Cu30-doped magnets show an almost identical enhancement of coercivity of about 4.4 kOe. Importantly, the latter magnet shows a beneficial effect of reducing the usage of Dy from 1.6 wt% to 0.8 wt%. TEM analysis shows that nonmagnetic Nd, Dy and Cu appear at grain boundary and isolate the magnetic grains, leading to an enhancement of coercivity. Doping lower melting point Dy-lean (Nd0.5Dy0.5)70Cu30 powders into commercial MQU-F powders for making high coercivity hot deformed NdFeB magnets might be a potential and economic way for mass production.

  18. Report of international symposium on the 22nd Japan annual nuclear energy meeting, PNC general meeting and business report about nuclear energy

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    NONE

    1989-04-15

    This conference report consists of three parts, which report the 22nd annual nuclear energy meeting in Japan, including the list of Korean delegates, program and the contents of five session, the conference report for PNC general meeting and the report on international symposium for fruition of nuclear power business. It introduces the main conception and the contents of the symposium.

  19. Modeling the impacts of phenological and inter-annual changes in landscape metrics on local biodiversity of agricultural lands of Eastern Ontario using multi-spatial and multi-temporal remote sensing data

    Science.gov (United States)

    Alavi-Shoushtari, N.; King, D.

    2017-12-01

    Agricultural landscapes are highly variable ecosystems and are home to many local farmland species. Seasonal, phenological and inter-annual agricultural landscape dynamics have potential to affect the richness and abundance of farmland species. Remote sensing provides data and techniques which enable monitoring landscape changes in multiple temporal and spatial scales. MODIS high temporal resolution remote sensing images enable detection of seasonal and phenological trends, while Landsat higher spatial resolution images, with its long term archive enables inter-annual trend analysis over several decades. The objective of this study to use multi-spatial and multi-temporal remote sensing data to model the response of farmland species to landscape metrics. The study area is the predominantly agricultural region of eastern Ontario. 92 sample landscapes were selected within this region using a protocol designed to maximize variance in composition and configuration heterogeneity while controlling for amount of forest and spatial autocorrelation. Two sample landscape extents (1×1km and 3×3km) were selected to analyze the impacts of spatial scale on biodiversity response. Gamma diversity index data for four taxa groups (birds, butterflies, plants, and beetles) were collected during the summers of 2011 and 2012 within the cropped area of each landscape. To extract the seasonal and phenological metrics a 2000-2012 MODIS NDVI time-series was used, while a 1985-2012 Landsat time-series was used to model the inter-annual trends of change in the sample landscapes. The results of statistical modeling showed significant relationships between farmland biodiversity for several taxa and the phenological and inter-annual variables. The following general results were obtained: 1) Among the taxa groups, plant and beetles diversity was most significantly correlated with the phenological variables; 2) Those phenological variables which are associated with the variability in the start of

  20. Low temperature magnetic properties of NdCu2

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Hillberg, M.; Wagener, W.; Melo, M.A.C. de; Klauss, H.H.; Litterst, F.J.; Loewenhaupt, W.

    1997-01-01

    μSR experiments on NdCu 2 give evidence for short range order below 25 K above T N =6.5 K. No signal was detected between 16 K and 1.2 K where neutron scattering reveals an incommensurate spin structure. Below 1.2 K the μSR signal is recovered and shows a rotation with 22 MHz. This is interpreted with a squaring up of Nd spins accompanied by a decrease of magnon excitations which is reflected in a decrease of damping of the muon signal

  1. 2nd UNet conference

    CERN Document Server

    Menasche, Daniel; Sabir, Essaïd; Pellegrini, Francesco; Benjillali, Mustapha

    2017-01-01

    This volume offers the proceedings of the 2nd UNet conference, held in Casablanca May 30 - June 1, 2016. It presents new trends and findings in hot topics related to ubiquitous computing/networking, covered in three tracks and three special sessions: Main Track 1: Context-Awareness and Autonomy Paradigms Track Main Track 2: Mobile Edge Networking and Virtualization Track Main Track 3: Enablers, Challenges and Applications Special Session 1: Smart Cities and Urban Informatics for Sustainable Development Special Session 2: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles From Theory to Applications Special Session 3: From Data to Knowledge: Big Data applications and solutions.

  2. Luminescence characteristics of Mg2SiO4:Nd

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Indira, P.; Subrahmanyam, R.V.; Murthy, K.V.R.

    2011-01-01

    Thermoluminescence (TL) properties of Magnesium Ortho silicate (2:1) Mg 2 SiO 4 doped with various concentrations of rare earth (Nd) have been studied. The phosphor material were prepared using standard solid state reaction technique and heated specimens at 1100 ± 20 deg C for two hours. 4% Ammonium chloride was used as flux. The received material was grinded in an agate mortar and pestle. The TL exhibited by the Mg 2 SiO 4 with varying concentration of Nd is interesting in nature. It is interesting to note but as the concentration of Nd increases the peak around 125 deg C TL peak intensity increases. But the hump around 200 deg C resolved as TL peak at 253 deg C with high intensity. (author)

  3. GEOSS AIP-2 Climate Change and Biodiversity Use Scenarios: Interoperability Infrastructures

    Science.gov (United States)

    Nativi, Stefano; Santoro, Mattia

    2010-05-01

    In the last years, scientific community is producing great efforts in order to study the effects of climate change on life on Earth. In this general framework, a key role is played by the impact of climate change on biodiversity. To assess this, several use scenarios require the modeling of climatological change impact on the regional distribution of biodiversity species. Designing and developing interoperability infrastructures which enable scientists to search, discover, access and use multi-disciplinary resources (i.e. datasets, services, models, etc.) is currently one of the main research fields for the Earth and Space Science Informatics. This presentation introduces and discusses an interoperability infrastructure which implements the discovery, access, and chaining of loosely-coupled resources in the climatology and biodiversity domains. This allows to set up and run forecast and processing models. The presented framework was successfully developed and experimented in the context of GEOSS AIP-2 (Global Earth Observation System of Systems, Architecture Implementation Pilot- Phase 2) Climate Change & Biodiversity thematic Working Group. This interoperability infrastructure is comprised of the following main components and services: a)GEO Portal: through this component end user is able to search, find and access the needed services for the scenario execution; b)Graphical User Interface (GUI): this component provides user interaction functionalities. It controls the workflow manager to perform the required operations for the scenario implementation; c)Use Scenario controller: this component acts as a workflow controller implementing the scenario business process -i.e. a typical climate change & biodiversity projection scenario; d)Service Broker implementing Mediation Services: this component realizes a distributed catalogue which federates several discovery and access components (exposing them through a unique CSW standard interface). Federated components

  4. Solubility of NaNd(CO3)2.6H2O(c) in concentrated Na2CO3 and NaHCO3 solutions

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Rao, L.; Rai, D.; Felmy, A.R.; Fulton, R.W.; Novak, C.F.

    1996-01-01

    NaNd(CO 3 ) 2 x 6 H 2 O(c) was identified to be the final equilibrium solid phase in suspensions containing concentrated sodium carbonate (0.1 to 2.0 M) and sodium bicarbonate (0.1 to 1.0 M), with either NaNd(CO 3 ) 2 x 6 H 2 O(c) or Nd 2 (CO 3 ) 3 x xH 2 O(s) as initial solids. A thermodynamic model, based on Pitzer's specific into-interaction approach, was developed to interpret the solubility of NaNd(CO 3 ) 2 x 6 H 2 O(c) as functions of sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate concentrations. In this model, the solubility data of NaNd(CO 3 ) 2 x 6 H 2 O(c) were explained by assuming the formation of NdCO 3 + , Nd(CO 3 ) 2 - and Nd(CO 3 ) 3 3- species and invoking the specific ion interactions between Na + and Nd(CO 3 ) 3 3- . Ion interaction parameters for Na + -Nd(CO 3 ) 3 3- were developed to fit the solubility data. Based on the model calculations, Nd(CO 3 ) 3 3- was the predominant aqueous neodymium species in 0.1 to 2 M sodium carbonate and 0.1 to 1 M sodium bicarbonate solutions. The logarithm of the NaNd(CO 3 ) 2 x 6 H 2 O solubility product (NaNd(CO 3 ) 2 x 6 H 2 O(c)=Na + +Nd 3+ +2 CO 3 2- +6 H 2 O) was calculated to be -21.39. This model also provided satisfactory interpretation of the solubility data of the analogous Am(III) system in less concentrated carbonate and bicarbonate solutions. (orig.)

  5. Crystal structure of Nd4Cu2O7

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Pederzolli, D.R.; Attfield, J.P.

    1998-01-01

    The structure of Nd 4 Cu 2 O 7 (A2/m, a = 8.449 A, b = 3.759 A, c = 12.601 A, β = 109.57 ), prepared by topotactic reduction of the high-T c superconductor parent phase Nd 2 CuO 4 , has been determined from time-of-flight neutron powder diffraction data revealing a new oxygen vacancy-ordered arrangement containing cooperatively distorted Cu 2 O 3 planes in which 2- and 4- coordinate Cu - sites are present. (orig.)

  6. Synthesis and Characterization of Nd(3+)-Doped CaF2 Nanoparticles.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Yuan, Dan; Li, Weiwei; Mei, Bingchu; Song, Jinghong

    2015-12-01

    The Ca(1-x)F(2+x):Nd(x) nanoparticles were synthesized by chemical direct precipitation method. X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Image analyzer, absorption spectrum and transmittance were taken to characterization the phases, morphologies, sizes, size distribution and optical properties of the samples. The results indicate that the Ca(1-x)F(2+x):Nd(x) samples can be rationally modified in size and morphology by altering the Nd3+ ions doping concentration. With increasing concentration of Nd3+ ions, the particle size decreased from 24 to 14 nm, the intensity of the diffraction peaks decreased, the Ca(1-x)F(2+x):Nd(x) particles aggregated ion of the formed clusters which should have an effect on both speed and orientation of the particles growth. The transmittance of ceramics with a thickness of 2 mm showed that the transmittance can reach 90% when the doping concentration was 5%, which should be profitable for LD pumping.

  7. Improved room-temperature-selectivity between Nd and Fe in Nd recovery from Nd-Fe-B magnet

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Kataoka, Y.; Kitagawa, J., E-mail: j-kitagawa@fit.ac.jp [Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Fukuoka Institute of Technology, 3-30-1 Wajiro-higashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 811-0295 (Japan); Ono, T.; Tsubota, M. [Physonit Inc., 6-10 Minami-Horikawa, Kaita Aki, Hiroshima 736-0044 (Japan)

    2015-11-15

    The sustainable society requires the recycling of rare metals. Rare earth Nd is one of rare metals, accompanying huge consumption especially in Nd-Fe-B magnets. Although the wet process using acid is in practical use in the in-plant recycle of sludge, higher selectivity between Nd and Fe at room temperature is desired. We have proposed a pretreatment of corrosion before the dissolution into HCl and the oxalic acid precipitation. The corrosion produces γ-FeOOH and a Nd hydroxide, which have high selectivity for HCl solution at room temperature. Nd can be recovered as Mn{sub 2}O{sub 3}-type Nd{sub 2}O{sub 3}. The estimated recovery-ratio of Nd reaches to 97%.

  8. Improved room-temperature-selectivity between Nd and Fe in Nd recovery from Nd-Fe-B magnet

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Y. Kataoka

    2015-11-01

    Full Text Available The sustainable society requires the recycling of rare metals. Rare earth Nd is one of rare metals, accompanying huge consumption especially in Nd-Fe-B magnets. Although the wet process using acid is in practical use in the in-plant recycle of sludge, higher selectivity between Nd and Fe at room temperature is desired. We have proposed a pretreatment of corrosion before the dissolution into HCl and the oxalic acid precipitation. The corrosion produces γ-FeOOH and a Nd hydroxide, which have high selectivity for HCl solution at room temperature. Nd can be recovered as Mn2O3-type Nd2O3. The estimated recovery-ratio of Nd reaches to 97%.

  9. Fabrication and spectral properties of Nd, La: CaF2 transparent ceramics

    Science.gov (United States)

    Xie, Xiaoyu; Mei, Bingchu; Song, Jinghong; Li, Weiwei; Su, Liangbi

    2018-02-01

    1 at.% Nd: CaF2 nanoparticles doped with different concentrations of La3+ ions (from 0 to 5 at.%) were synthesized by co-precipitation method. Phase identification, morphology of the nanoparticles were investigated by XRD and SEM measurements. The Nd, La: CaF2 ceramics were fabricated by hot-pressed method in the vacuum environment. The transmittance of all the ceramics reached 88% at the wavelength of 1400 nm. The luminescence intensities and decay lifetimes enhanced significantly with the increasing of La3+ concentration. The Nd, La: CaF2 ceramics have broad and flat emission band at 1050 nm with the largest FWHM of 28.16 nm. In addition, the spectrum results indicated that the fluorescence lifetime of Nd, La: CaF2 ceramics was longer than that of the Nd, Y: CaF2 ceramics with the same doping concentration.

  10. Nd(BrO3)3-Yb(BrO3)3-H2O and Nd2(SeO4)3-Yb2(SeO4)3-H2O systems at 25 deg C

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Serebrennikov, V.V.; Batyreva, V.A.; Tsybukova, T.N.

    1981-01-01

    Using the methods of isothermal solubility the Nd(BrO 3 ) 3 - Yb(BrO 3 ) 3 -H 2 O and Nd 2 (SeO 4 ) 3 -Yb 2 (SeO 4 ) 3 -H 2 O systems are studied at 25 deg C. The compositions of the solid phases are determined by the method of ''residues''. The formation of two series of solid solutions in both systems is established. Besides, there is a crystallization region of Nd 2 (SeO 4 ) 3 in the system of selenates. The solubility diagrams of the systems are presented [ru

  11. Intrinsic evolution of novel (Nd, MM)2Fe14B-system magnetic flakes

    Science.gov (United States)

    Yu, Xiaoqiang; Zhu, Minggang; Liu, Weiqiang; Li, Yanfeng; Zhang, Jiuxing; Yue, Ming; Li, Wei

    2018-01-01

    The Nd-substituted (Nd x MM1- x )-Fe-B strip-casting flakes were prepared by induction melting in the vacuum furnace and then subsequently by strip-casting technology. The microstructure and magnetic properties of (Nd x MM1- x )-Fe-B alloys are related to the Nd substitution. 2:14:1 main phases and minor impure phases coexist in the MM-Fe-B flake. For example, La2O3 and CeFe2 impure phases are obviously detected in the x = 0 specimen. As an increase of the Ce concentration is inversely accompanied with the decrease of the Nd content ( x) in (Nd x MM1- x )2Fe14B main phases (0 ≤ x ≤ 1), XRD analysis shows that the overall diffraction peaks of the main phases shift to right domestically because of smaller radius Ce4+. The melting point, spin reorientation phase transition temperature, Curie temperature, magneto-crystalline anisotropy field (at 300 K), and the magnetization ( M 9T) for MM-Fe-B/(Nd0.4MM0.6)-Fe-B/(Nd0.7MM0.3)-Fe-B/Nd-Fe-B strip-casting alloys are 1376.15/1414.15/1439.15/1458.15 K, 74/113/124/135 K, 493.2/538.4/559.7/582.3 K, 48/55.2/64.4/70.1 kOe and 136.5/143.7/151.5/153.7 emu/g, respectively. Due to the varied composition of hard magnetic main phases, M 9T increases gradually with the increase of Nd content ( x). SEM observation and EDX results demonstrate that more Nd and Pr elements aggregate into the 2:14:1 ferromagnetic phase, while less La and Ce elements are prone to the RE-rich region compared with the nominal ratio. As a result, the growth of M 9T becomes extraordinary under maximum external field 9 T, indicating that the (Nd0.7MM0.3)-Fe-B flake may display relatively good magnetic properties and those with higher Nd content have evident effect on magnetization, compositions, and microstructures of hard magnetic main phases. Therefore, practical application of (Nd x MM1- x )-Fe-B-sintered magnets will be very prospective.

  12. Abstracts: 2nd interventional MRI symposium

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Anon.

    1997-09-01

    Main topics of the 2nd interventional MRI symposium were: MR compatibility and pulse sequences; MR thermometry, biopsy, musculoskeletal system; laser-induced interstitial thermotherapy, radiofrequency ablations; intraoperative MR; vascular applications, breast, endoscopy; focused ultrasound, cryotherapy, perspectives; poster session with 34 posters described. (AJ)

  13. Abstracts: 2nd interventional MRI symposium

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Anon.

    1997-01-01

    Main topics of the 2nd interventional MRI symposium were: MR compatibility and pulse sequences; MR thermometry, biopsy, musculoskeletal system; laser-induced interstitial thermotherapy, radiofrequency ablations; intraoperative MR; vascular applications, breast, endoscopy; focused ultrasound, cryotherapy, perspectives; poster session with 34 posters described. (AJ)

  14. UV Thermoluminescence and Phosphorescence Properties of Mg2+ and Nd3+ Doped Nanostructured Al2O3

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Bitencourt, J F S; Goncalves, K A; Tatumi, S H; Marcos, P J B

    2010-01-01

    Mg 2+ and Nd 3+ doped aluminium oxide samples were produced by polymer calcination method. Mg 2+ doped samples did not exhibited significant fluorescence emission, using IR (LED, emission centered at 862nm) or green (Xe-lamp plus optical filter, emission centered at 520 nm) sources. Nonetheless, high thermostimulated luminescence was detected, with high emission peak at 190 0 C. A nanoscopic layer (about 50 nm width) of magnesium spinel was observed by Transmission Electronic Microscopy (TEM) for 2.61mol% doped sample; this layer can be the responsible for TL enhancement. Nd 3+ doped sample exhibited low phosphorescence emission in the UV (Schott U-340) using IR source. TL peaks were detected at 185 and 265 0 C; the intermediary peak showed the highest emission. Occurrence of NdAl and NdAl 2 structures were detected in 5 mol% doped sample and NdAl 2 and NdAl 4 structures in 10 mol% doped sample.

  15. High Precision 142Nd/144Nd and 143Nd/144Nd Isotope Ratio Measurements in Rock Samples

    Science.gov (United States)

    Ali, A.; Srinivasan, G.

    2009-05-01

    The long-lived 147Sm-143Nd system with a half-life (T1/2) of 106 Gyr is generally used for geochronology. The short-lived 146Sm-142Nd system (T1/2= 103 Myr) is used as a geological tracer to track early (˜500 Ma) silicate differentiation [1] events in different planetary bodies. The isotope composition measurements by thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) require purification of Nd using chemical separation methods. This is important as an impure sample will give both a very poor ion yield and cause beam instability in the mass spectrometer, potentially resulting in a poor analysis [2]. The separation of Nd for 143Nd isotope measurement is, fairly straightforward because there is no isobaric interference of any other REE. While 142Nd isotope analysis needs chemically separated Nd fraction to be ˜100% Ce-free as latter is composed of a substantial amount of 142Ce isotope. A 4-steps technique, modified from Caro et al., [3], for the separation of Nd is established at the Cosmochemistry Laboratory of University of Toronto, Canada and applied to the measurement of Nd isotope ratios in geological reference sample BCR-2 (USGS, Columbia River basalt) using TIMS. Results of the isotopic ratios obtained for BCR-2 are in good agreement with published values [e.g., 4]. Analytical work on the samples discovered as the oldest rocks on Earth [5] from Nuvvuagittuq greenstone belt in Québec, Canada and various meteorites is in progress. An account of the procedures involved is briefly described here. All working solutions and acids were prepared using >18.2 MΩ.cm-1 H2O from a Milli-Q water system. Experiments were performed under Class 100 clean work bench with acid-cleaned apparatus and plastic-ware. The whole rock powders were weighed (20-30 mg) and dissolved in a mixture of HF and HNO3 using PFA vials and heated at 110°C. Further decomposition was done in Teflon bomb in the oven at 205°C. Later on contents of the Teflon bomb were transferred to vials and fluorides

  16. Measurement and Evaluation of the Activation Resonance Integral of 146Nd, 148Nd and 150Nd

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Ricabarra, M. D.; Turjanski, R.; Ricabarra, G. H.

    2012-01-01

    Values of the ratio of the reduced activation resonance integral to the thermal cross section, I'/σ 0 of 146 Nd, 148 Nd and 150 Nd were determined relative to gold by measuring cadmium ratios. A lithium-drifted germanium gamma ray spectrometer was used to resolve the activities of the irradiated samples. The results are for 146 Nd I'/σ 0 = 1.42±0.1 0 and with an assumed σ 0 = 1.4 barn, I' = 1 .99±0.20; for 148 Nd I'/ σ 0 = 4.22±0.1 4 and with an assumed σ 0 = 2.5 barn, I' = 10.5±0. 9 barn, and for 150 Nd I'/σ 0 = 13.7±0. 8 and with an assumed σ 0 = 1.2 barn, I' = 16.4±2.8. The resolved and unresolved epithermal integrals of 146 Nd, 148 Nd and 150 Nd were calculated. Values of the spectral correction factor were also calculated, so the resonance integral could be obtained from the epithermal integral data measured in our reactor spectrum in this experiment. Epithermal integral and spectral correction factors are listed in the text. The most important result of this investigation is that the 148 Nd activation reduced resonance integral is about half of the previously recommended value and consequently the radiative width for 148 Nd is also about half of the previously accepted value. (author)

  17. 2nd Institute for Experimental Physics of Hamburg University. Annual report 1986

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    1987-04-01

    The 1986 annual report of the Institute summarizes the research results achieved by the various working groups. The points of main interest include high-energy physics experiments at DESY and CERN, experiments with synchrotron radiation, and work in the fields of hyperfine interactions and Moessbauer spectroscopy. (orig./GG) [de

  18. File list: His.Lar.10.AllAg.2nd_instar [Chip-atlas[Archive

    Lifescience Database Archive (English)

    Full Text Available His.Lar.10.AllAg.2nd_instar dm3 Histone Larvae 2nd instar SRX013087,SRX013015,SRX01...3112,SRX013042,SRX013043,SRX013096 http://dbarchive.biosciencedbc.jp/kyushu-u/dm3/assembled/His.Lar.10.AllAg.2nd_instar.bed ...

  19. File list: His.Lar.05.AllAg.2nd_instar [Chip-atlas[Archive

    Lifescience Database Archive (English)

    Full Text Available His.Lar.05.AllAg.2nd_instar dm3 Histone Larvae 2nd instar SRX013087,SRX013096,SRX01...3043,SRX013015,SRX013112,SRX013042 http://dbarchive.biosciencedbc.jp/kyushu-u/dm3/assembled/His.Lar.05.AllAg.2nd_instar.bed ...

  20. File list: His.Lar.50.AllAg.2nd_instar [Chip-atlas[Archive

    Lifescience Database Archive (English)

    Full Text Available His.Lar.50.AllAg.2nd_instar dm3 Histone Larvae 2nd instar SRX013015,SRX013042,SRX01...3112,SRX013043,SRX013087,SRX013096 http://dbarchive.biosciencedbc.jp/kyushu-u/dm3/assembled/His.Lar.50.AllAg.2nd_instar.bed ...

  1. File list: His.Lar.20.AllAg.2nd_instar [Chip-atlas[Archive

    Lifescience Database Archive (English)

    Full Text Available His.Lar.20.AllAg.2nd_instar dm3 Histone Larvae 2nd instar SRX013015,SRX013042,SRX01...3112,SRX013043,SRX013096,SRX013087 http://dbarchive.biosciencedbc.jp/kyushu-u/dm3/assembled/His.Lar.20.AllAg.2nd_instar.bed ...

  2. Evaluating Temporal Consistency in Marine Biodiversity Hotspots.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Piacenza, Susan E; Thurman, Lindsey L; Barner, Allison K; Benkwitt, Cassandra E; Boersma, Kate S; Cerny-Chipman, Elizabeth B; Ingeman, Kurt E; Kindinger, Tye L; Lindsley, Amy J; Nelson, Jake; Reimer, Jessica N; Rowe, Jennifer C; Shen, Chenchen; Thompson, Kevin A; Heppell, Selina S

    2015-01-01

    With the ongoing crisis of biodiversity loss and limited resources for conservation, the concept of biodiversity hotspots has been useful in determining conservation priority areas. However, there has been limited research into how temporal variability in biodiversity may influence conservation area prioritization. To address this information gap, we present an approach to evaluate the temporal consistency of biodiversity hotspots in large marine ecosystems. Using a large scale, public monitoring dataset collected over an eight year period off the US Pacific Coast, we developed a methodological approach for avoiding biases associated with hotspot delineation. We aggregated benthic fish species data from research trawls and calculated mean hotspot thresholds for fish species richness and Shannon's diversity indices over the eight year dataset. We used a spatial frequency distribution method to assign hotspot designations to the grid cells annually. We found no areas containing consistently high biodiversity through the entire study period based on the mean thresholds, and no grid cell was designated as a hotspot for greater than 50% of the time-series. To test if our approach was sensitive to sampling effort and the geographic extent of the survey, we followed a similar routine for the northern region of the survey area. Our finding of low consistency in benthic fish biodiversity hotspots over time was upheld, regardless of biodiversity metric used, whether thresholds were calculated per year or across all years, or the spatial extent for which we calculated thresholds and identified hotspots. Our results suggest that static measures of benthic fish biodiversity off the US West Coast are insufficient for identification of hotspots and that long-term data are required to appropriately identify patterns of high temporal variability in biodiversity for these highly mobile taxa. Given that ecological communities are responding to a changing climate and other

  3. File list: ALL.Lar.05.AllAg.2nd_instar [Chip-atlas[Archive

    Lifescience Database Archive (English)

    Full Text Available ALL.Lar.05.AllAg.2nd_instar dm3 All antigens Larvae 2nd instar SRX013087,SRX013096,...SRX013043,SRX013015,SRX013112,SRX013042,SRX013113,SRX013016,SRX013114 http://dbarchive.biosciencedbc.jp/kyushu-u/dm3/assembled/ALL.Lar.05.AllAg.2nd_instar.bed ...

  4. File list: ALL.Lar.50.AllAg.2nd_instar [Chip-atlas[Archive

    Lifescience Database Archive (English)

    Full Text Available ALL.Lar.50.AllAg.2nd_instar dm3 All antigens Larvae 2nd instar SRX013015,SRX013042,...SRX013112,SRX013016,SRX013114,SRX013043,SRX013087,SRX013096,SRX013113 http://dbarchive.biosciencedbc.jp/kyushu-u/dm3/assembled/ALL.Lar.50.AllAg.2nd_instar.bed ...

  5. File list: ALL.Lar.20.AllAg.2nd_instar [Chip-atlas[Archive

    Lifescience Database Archive (English)

    Full Text Available ALL.Lar.20.AllAg.2nd_instar dm3 All antigens Larvae 2nd instar SRX013015,SRX013042,...SRX013112,SRX013043,SRX013016,SRX013114,SRX013096,SRX013087,SRX013113 http://dbarchive.biosciencedbc.jp/kyushu-u/dm3/assembled/ALL.Lar.20.AllAg.2nd_instar.bed ...

  6. Solid State Energy Conversion Alliance 2nd Annual Workshop Proceedings

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    National Energy Technology Laboratory

    2001-01-01

    The National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) are pleased to provide the proceedings of the second annual Solid State Energy Conversion Alliance (SECA) Workshop held on March 29-30, 2001 in Arlington. The package includes the presentations made during the workshop, a list of participants, and the results of the breakout sessions. Those sessions covered stack materials and processes, power electronics, balance of plant and thermal integration, fuel processing technologies, and stack and system performance modeling. The breakout sessions have been reported as accurately as possible; however, due to the recording and transcription process errors may have occurred. If you note any significant omissions or wish to provide additional information, we welcome your comments and hope that all stakeholder groups will use the enclosed information in their planning endeavors

  7. Solid State Energy Conversion Alliance 2nd Annual Workshop Proceedings

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    National Energy Technology Laboratory

    2001-03-30

    The National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) are pleased to provide the proceedings of the second annual Solid State Energy Conversion Alliance (SECA) Workshop held on March 29-30, 2001 in Arlington. The package includes the presentations made during the workshop, a list of participants, and the results of the breakout sessions. Those sessions covered stack materials and processes, power electronics, balance of plant and thermal integration, fuel processing technologies, and stack and system performance modeling. The breakout sessions have been reported as accurately as possible; however, due to the recording and transcription process errors may have occurred. If you note any significant omissions or wish to provide additional information, we welcome your comments and hope that all stakeholder groups will use the enclosed information in their planning endeavors.

  8. Structure of comorbid psychopathological disorders in patients with type 2nd diabetes mellitus

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    V. V. Chugunov

    2017-04-01

    Full Text Available Aim: to identify and explore the structure of comorbid psychopathological disorders in patients with type 2nd diabetes mellitus (DM. Materials and methods: 543 patients with type 2nd DM were included into the study. The average age of patients was (56.2 ± 0.65 years. The patients were divided into three groups according to the severity of DM. The first clinical group (CG-1 included 57 patients with type 2nd DM of mild severity, who was treated in outpatient department; the average age in the group was (51.8 ± 1.28 years. The second clinical group (CG-2 made up of 312 patients with type 2nd DM, moderate severity, they were in inpatient department; the median age of the group was (55.1 ± 1.12 years. The third clinical group (CG-3 included 174 patients with type 2nd DM, severe degrees of severity, they undergone inpatient treatment too; average age in the group was (61.8 ± 0.85 years. Research methods: clinical-anamnesis, clinical- psychopathological, statistical. Research results. The study established the incidence of non-psychotic mental disorders of varying severity in patients with type 2nd DM at the level of 94.11 %, among them, for 91.16 % – of psychogenic origin. Proportional correlation between the severity of type 2nd DM and the absence of comorbid psychopathological manifestations was detected (rs = -0.3416, p < 0.01. It is revealed that the dominant psychopathological syndromes among all patients with type 2nd DM were psychoorganic (62.43 %, dyssomnia (60.86 %, asthenic (55.58 % and anxiety (43.05 % syndromes. Structure of the dominant psychopathological syndromes was established depending on severity of type 2nd DM: in CG-1 dominated dyssomnia (36.84 %, anxiety (31.58 %, psychoorganic (21.05 % syndromes; in CG-2 – psychoorganic (65.38 %, asthenic (40.38 %, dyssomnia (38.46 %, anxiety (37, and 82 % syndromes; in CG-3 – dyssomnia (97.70 %, asthenic (89.08 %, organic mental (70.69 %, anxious 48.28 % syndromes. Significant

  9. Thermoluminescent characteristics of ZrO2:Nd films

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Vera B, G.; Rivera M, T.; Azorin N, J.; Falcony G, C.; Garcia H, M.; Martinez S, E.

    2002-01-01

    In this work it is exposed the obtained results after analysing the photo luminescent and thermoluminescent characteristics of activated zirconium oxide with neodymium (ZrO 2 :Nd) and its possible application in the UV radiation dosimetry. The realized experiments had as objective to study the characteristics such as the optimum thermal erased treatment, the influence of light on the response, the response depending on the wavelength, the fadeout of the information, the temperature effect, the response depending on the time and the recurring of the response. The results show that the ZrO 2 :Nd is a promising material to be used as Tl dosemeter for the UV radiation. (Author)

  10. GEOSS AIP-2 Climate Change and Biodiversity Use Scenarios: Interoperability Infrastructures (Invited)

    Science.gov (United States)

    Nativi, S.; Santoro, M.

    2009-12-01

    Currently, one of the major challenges for scientific community is the study of climate change effects on life on Earth. To achieve this, it is crucial to understand how climate change will impact on biodiversity and, in this context, several application scenarios require modeling the impact of climate change on distribution of individual species. In the context of GEOSS AIP-2 (Global Earth Observation System of Systems, Architecture Implementation Pilot- Phase 2), the Climate Change & Biodiversity thematic Working Group developed three significant user scenarios. A couple of them make use of a GEOSS-based framework to study the impact of climate change factors on regional species distribution. The presentation introduces and discusses this framework which provides an interoperability infrastructures to loosely couple standard services and components to discover and access climate and biodiversity data, and run forecast and processing models. The framework is comprised of the following main components and services: a)GEO Portal: through this component end user is able to search, find and access the needed services for the scenario execution; b)Graphical User Interface (GUI): this component provides user interaction functionalities. It controls the workflow manager to perform the required operations for the scenario implementation; c)Use Scenario controller: this component acts as a workflow controller implementing the scenario business process -i.e. a typical climate change & biodiversity projection scenario; d)Service Broker implementing Mediation Services: this component realizes a distributed catalogue which federates several discovery and access components (exposing them through a unique CSW standard interface). Federated components publish climate, environmental and biodiversity datasets; e)Ecological Niche Model Server: this component is able to run one or more Ecological Niche Models (ENM) on selected biodiversity and climate datasets; f)Data Access

  11. NIR emitting K2SrCl4:Eu2+, Nd3+ phosphor as a spectral converter for CIGS solar cell

    Science.gov (United States)

    Tawalare, P. K.; Bhatkar, V. B.; Omanwar, S. K.; Moharil, S. V.

    2018-05-01

    Intense near-infrared emitting phosphor K2SrCl4:Eu2+,Nd3+ with various concentrations of Nd3+ were synthesized. These are characterized with X-ray diffraction, reflectance, photoluminescence emission and photoluminescence excitation spectroscopy, PL lifetime measurements. The emission can be excited by a broad band in near ultra violet region as a consequence of Eu2+→Nd3+ energy transfer. The efficiency of Eu2+→Nd3+ energy transfer is as high as 95%. Fluorescence decay curves for Eu2+ doped samples are almost exponential and described by τ = 500 ns. Eu2+ lifetimes are shortened after Nd3+ doping. Near infrared Emission intensity is limited by Nd3+→Nd3+ energy transfer and the consequent concentration quenching. Nd3+ emission matches well with the spectral response of CIGS and CIS solar cells. Absorption of near ultra violet radiations followed by conversion to near infrared indicates the potential application in solar photovoltaics.

  12. Synthesis, structure and properties of layered iron-oxychalcogenides Nd2Fe2Se2−xSxO3

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Liu, Y.; Zhang, S.B.; Tan, S.G.; Yuan, B.; Kan, X.C.; Zu, L.; Sun, Y.P.

    2015-01-01

    A new series of sulfur-substituted iron-oxychalcogenides Nd 2 Fe 2 Se 2−x S x O 3 (0≤x≤0.4) was synthesized by solid state reaction method, and investigated by structure, transport, magnetic and specific heat measurements. The compounds crystallize in the layered tetragonal structure with I4/mmm space group, and show semiconducting behavior. The large discrepancy between the activation energies for conductivity, E ρ (152–202 meV), and thermopower, E S (15.6–39.8 meV), indicates the polaronic transport mechanism of the carrier. The parent compound Nd 2 Fe 2 Se 2 O 3 exhibits a frustrated antiferromagnetic (AFM) ground state, and the S-substitution induces an enhanced ferromagnetic (FM) component and possible increased degree of frustration. - Graphical abstract: The crystal structure of Nd 2 Nd 2 Fe 2 Se 2−x S x O 3 is built up by stacking fluorite-like Nd 2 O 2 layers and anti-CuO 2 -type Fe 2 O(Se/S) 2 layers with Fe 2+ cations coordinated by two in-plane O 2- and four Se 2- above and below the square Fe 2 O plane. - Highlights: • We have synthesized a new series of layered iron-oxychalcogenides Nd 2 Fe 2 Se 2−x S x O 3 . • They crystallize in layered tetragonal structure and show semiconducting behavior. • The transport analysis indicates the polaronic transport mechanism of the carrier. • The parent compound shows a frustrated antiferromagnetic (AFM) ground state. • The S-substitution induces an enhanced ferromagnetic (FM) component

  13. Texturing for bulk α-Fe/Nd2Fe14B nanocomposites with enhanced magnetic properties

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Lou, L.; Hou, F.C.; Wang, Y.N.; Cheng, Y.; Li, H.L.; Li, W.; Guo, D.F.; Li, X.H.; Zhang, X.Y.

    2014-01-01

    In the present study, the texturing of bulk α-Fe/Nd 2 Fe 14 B nanocomposites produced from Nd-lean amorphous Nd x Fe 92.5−x Cu 1.5 B 6 (x=9 to 11.5 at%) via a hot deformation under a uniaxial stress of ∼350 MPa at 973 K has been studied. An enhanced (00l) texture of the hard phase is observed with increasing Nd content, which results in an increase in the magnetic anisotropy of the nanocomposite magnets. As a result, both the coercivity and the remanence of the magnets increase simultaneously with increasing Nd content from x=9–11.5 at%, yielding a significant enhancement of the maximum energy product from (BH) max =13.2 to 17.5 MGOe in the direction parallel to stress axis. - Highlights: • Textured bulk α-Fe/Nd 2 Fe 14 B nanocomposites have been produced from Nd-lean alloys. • Nd content has an effect on the texturing of α-Fe/Nd 2 Fe 14 B nanocomposite magnets. • An enhanced (00l) texture of hard phase is observed with increasing Nd content. • Both the coercivity and remanence increase simultaneously with Nd content

  14. Crystal-field and Nd-Mn exchange interaction in Nd{sub 2/3}Ca{sub 1/3}MnO{sub 3}

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Beznosov, A; Fertman, E; Desnenko, V; Loginov, A [B Verkin Institute for Low Temperature Physics and Engineering, NASU, 47 Lenin Ave., 61103 Kharkov (Ukraine); Feher, A; Kajnakova, M, E-mail: fertman@ilt.kharkov.u [Centre of Low Temperature Physics of the Faculty of Science of P.J. Safarik University and IEP SAS, Park Angelinum 9, SK-04154 Kotice (Slovakia)

    2010-01-01

    A study of the low field magnetization and specific heat in magnetic fields up to 9 T of Nd{sub 2/3}Ca{sub 1/3}MnO{sub 3} perovskite in the 2-30 K temperature range has been done. All the specific heat data show broadened Schottky-like anomaly below 20 K. We suppose that such a behavior originates from the Nd magnetic ordering caused by the splitting of the Nd{sup 3+} ions ground-state doublet (GSD) in the effective molecular field H{sub ex} of Mn spin system supplemented by an applied external magnetic field. The zero field GSD splitting is an evidence of a strong exchange coupling between Nd and Mn magnetic subsystems. The Nd-ions magnetic ordering introduces an additional contribution to the ferromagnetic moment producing anomalies of the field-cooled and zero-field-cooled magnetizations of the system below 28 K. The broadened Schottky-like anomalies found are fitted for every field by a set of three Schottky functions. Applied magnetic field extends the anomaly region and shifts it to the higher temperatures. Splitting of the higher crystal field Kramers doublets gives an additional contribution to the heat capacity under magnetic fields. The GSD g-factors g{sub ||} and g{sub p}erpendicular was estimated as 3.4 and 2.2, respectively, and H{sub ex} as 9 T.

  15. Commensurability oscillations in NdBa2Cu3Oy single crystals

    Indian Academy of Sciences (India)

    gated by angular dependent magnetization in very pure twinned and twin-free NdBa2 Cu3 Oy single ... The layered structure and the c-axis coherence length, ξc ≈ 4 ˚A, smaller than the lattice ... The high quality of both crystals is demonstrated by ... Commensurability oscillations in NdBa2Cu3Oy single crystals. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

  16. ICESat-2 laser Nd:YVO4 amplifier

    Science.gov (United States)

    Sawruk, Nicholas W.; Burns, Patrick M.; Edwards, Ryan E.; Litvinovitch, Viatcheslav; Martin, Nigel; Witt, Greg; Fakhoury, Elias; Iskander, John; Pronko, Mark S.; Troupaki, Elisavet; Bay, Michael M.; He, Charles C.; Wang, Liqin L.; Cavanaugh, John F.; Farrokh, Babak; Salem, Jonathan A.; Baker, Eric

    2018-02-01

    We report on the cause and corrective actions of three amplifier crystal fractures in the space-qualified laser systems used in NASA Goddard Space Flight Center's (GSFC) Ice, Cloud, and Land Elevation Satellite-2 (ICESat-2). The ICESat-2 lasers each contain three end-pumped Nd:YVOO4 amplifier stages. The crystals are clamped between two gold plated copper heat spreaders with an indium foil thermal interface material, and the crystal fractures occurred after multiple years of storage and over a year of operational run-time. The primary contributors are high compressive loading of the NdYVO4 crystals at the beginning of life, a time dependent crystal stress caused by an intermetallic reaction of the gold plating and indium, and slow crack growth resulting in a reduction in crystal strength over time. An updated crystal mounting scheme was designed, analyzed, fabricated and tested. Thee fracture slab failure analysis, finite-element modeling and corrective actions are presented.

  17. Orbits 2nd order singularity-free solutions

    CERN Document Server

    Xu, Guochang

    2014-01-01

    In its 2nd edition, this book covers the theory of satellite orbits, derives the complete solutions of orbital disturbances, describes the algorithms of orbits determination and the applications of the theory to the phenomenon of physical satellite formation.

  18. Development of Workshops on Biodiversity and Evaluation of the Educational Effect by Text Mining Analysis

    Science.gov (United States)

    Baba, R.; Iijima, A.

    2014-12-01

    biodiversity and ecological pyramid. The 2nd component consists of the words such as gene, species, and ecosystem, suggesting that the students have correctly understood the 3 aspects of biodiversity. Consequently, this workshop shows an effect on acquirement of basic knowledge about the biodiversity.

  19. Nd2(SeO3)2(SeO4) . 2H2O - a mixed-valence compound containing selenium in the oxidation states +IV and +VI

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Berdonosov, P.S.; Dityat'yev, O.A.; Dolgikh, V.A.; Schmidt, P.; Ruck, Michael; Lightfoot, P.

    2004-01-01

    Pale pink crystals of Nd 2 (SeO 3 ) 2 (SeO 4 ) . 2H 2 O were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions from H 2 SeO 3 and Nd 2 O 3 at about 200 C. X-ray diffraction on powder and single-crystals revealed that the compound crystallizes with the monoclinic space group C 2/c (a = 12.276(1) A, b = 7.0783(5) A, c = 13.329(1) A, β = 104.276(7) ). The crystal structure of Nd 2 (SeO 3 ) 2 (SeO 4 ) . 2H 2 O is an ordered variant of the corresponding erbium compound. Eight oxygen atoms coordinate the Nd III atom in the shape of a bi-capped trigonal prism. The oxygen atoms are part of pyramidal (Se IV O 3 ) 2- groups, (Se VI O 4 ) 2- tetrahedra and water molecules. The [NdO 8 ] polyhedra share edges to form chains oriented along [010]. The selenate ions link these chains into layers parallel to (001). The layers are interconnected by the selenite ions into a three-dimensional framework. The dehydration of Nd 2 (SeO 3 ) 2 (SeO 4 ) . 2H 2 O starts at 260 C. The thermal decomposition into Nd 2 SeO 5 , SeO 2 and O 2 at 680 C is followed by further loss of SeO 2 leaving cubic Nd 2 O 3 . (Abstract Copyright [2004], Wiley Periodicals, Inc.) [de

  20. Experimental Investigation and Thermodynamic Modeling of the B2O3-FeO-Fe2O3-Nd2O3 System for Recycling of NdFeB Magnet Scrap

    Science.gov (United States)

    Jakobsson, Lars Klemet; Tranell, Gabriella; Jung, In-Ho

    2017-02-01

    NdFeB magnet scrap is an alternative source of neodymium that could have a significantly lower impact on the environment than current mining and extraction processes. Neodymium can be readily oxidized in the presence of oxygen, which makes it easy to recover neodymium in oxide form. Thermochemical data and phase diagrams for neodymium oxide containing systems is, however, very limited. Thermodynamic modeling of the B2O3-FeO-Fe2O3-Nd2O3 system was hence performed to obtain accurate phase diagrams and thermochemical properties of the system. Key phase diagram experiments were also carried out for the FeO-Nd2O3 system in saturation with iron to improve the accuracy of the present modeling. The modified quasichemical model was used to describe the Gibbs energy of the liquid oxide phase. The Gibbs energy functions of the liquid phase and the solids were optimized to reproduce all available and reliable phase diagram data, and thermochemical properties of the system. Finally the optimized database was applied to calculate conditions for selective oxidation of neodymium from NdFeB magnet waste.

  1. XMCD study of the Ruddlesden-Popper phase La1.2Nd0.2Sr1.6Mn2O7

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Weigand, F.; Goering, E.; Geissler, J.; Justen, M.; Ruck, K.; Schuetz, G.; Doerr, K.

    2001-01-01

    X-ray Magnetic Circular Dichroism (XMCD) measurements of the Ruddlesden-Popper Phase La 1.2 Nd 0.2 Sr 1.6 Mn 2 O 7 are reported. The Mn K, La and Nd L 2 , 3 edges have been measured on a powder sample at two different magnetic fields at low temperature. The analysis of the spectra at B = 1T indicates a large orbital moment of the Nd 5d-states and a significant spin-polarization of the La 5d-band. Furthermore at the Mn Κ-edge a XMCD-signal is observed, showing a polarization of the Mn 4p-band. At lower field (0.2T) all XMCD-signals are about two times smaller corresponding to the lower total magnetization. The signal at the Nd L 2 edge vanishes completely at 0.2T. (au)

  2. Targeting global conservation funding to limit immediate biodiversity declines.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Waldron, Anthony; Mooers, Arne O; Miller, Daniel C; Nibbelink, Nate; Redding, David; Kuhn, Tyler S; Roberts, J Timmons; Gittleman, John L

    2013-07-16

    Inadequate funding levels are a major impediment to effective global biodiversity conservation and are likely associated with recent failures to meet United Nations biodiversity targets. Some countries are more severely underfunded than others and therefore represent urgent financial priorities. However, attempts to identify these highly underfunded countries have been hampered for decades by poor and incomplete data on actual spending, coupled with uncertainty and lack of consensus over the relative size of spending gaps. Here, we assemble a global database of annual conservation spending. We then develop a statistical model that explains 86% of variation in conservation expenditures, and use this to identify countries where funding is robustly below expected levels. The 40 most severely underfunded countries contain 32% of all threatened mammalian diversity and include neighbors in some of the world's most biodiversity-rich areas (Sundaland, Wallacea, and Near Oceania). However, very modest increases in international assistance would achieve a large improvement in the relative adequacy of global conservation finance. Our results could therefore be quickly applied to limit immediate biodiversity losses at relatively little cost.

  3. A neodymium(III)-ammonium complex involving oxalate and carbonate ligands: (NH4)2[Nd2(C2O4)3(CO3)(H2O)].H2O.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Trombe, Jean-Christian; Galy, Jean; Enjalbert, Renée

    2002-10-01

    The title compound, diammonium aqua-mu-carbonato-tri-mu-oxalato-dineodymium(III) hydrate, (NH(4))(2)[Nd(2)(CO(3))(C(2)O(4))(3)(H(2)O)].H(2)O, involving the two ligands oxalate and carbonate, has been prepared hydrothermally as single crystals. The Nd atoms form a tetranuclear unit across the inversion centre at (1/2, 1/2, 1/2). Starting from this tetranuclear unit, the oxalate ligands serve to develop a three-dimensional network. The carbonate group acts as a bis-chelating ligand to two Nd atoms, and is monodentate to a third Nd atom. The oxalate groups are all bis-chelating. The two independent Nd atoms are ninefold coordinated and the coordination polyhedron of these atoms is a distorted monocapped antiprism.

  4. Annual report 1976

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    1977-02-01

    In part 1, the annual report informs of the organizational and administrative development of the Bundesanstalt, in its 2nd part it presents a survey of scientific activities in 1976, examinations carried out, measuring devices and operational equipment given permission to, and cooperation in national and international bodies. The 3rd part contains scientific summaries of activities published and not published, which were either concluded in the year under review or which came to some interim results. (orig.) [de

  5. Chronology of the 1st–2nd Century Graves from the Tarasovo Burial Ground

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Goldina Rimma D.

    2016-03-01

    Full Text Available The article focuses on the chronology of graves dating back to the early (1st – 2nd centuries AD – Nyrgynda stage of the 1st – 5th century Tarasovo burial ground, a classical monument attributed to the Cheganda culture of the Pyany Bor cultural-historical community. Cultural stratigraphy is applied as a research method. Artifacts from the early stage were correlated for 37 male and 102 female complexes, separately. The analysis of grave goods from male burials showed the following three chronological groups, that can be distinguished at the Nyrgynda stage: 1st century (group 1, 2nd century (group 2 and 1st – 2nd centuries AD (group 3. The goods from female graves are more representative and various, so three more groups with shorter chronological lives can be singled out: the fi rst half of the 2nd century (group 2а, the second half of the 2nd century (group 2б and the 1st – fi rst half of the 2nd century (group 4. Certainly, the suggested chronology leaves room for any eventual corrections subject to new findings.

  6. Particularly compliance violations in patients with diabetes mellitus of 2nd type

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    V. V. Chugunov

    2017-04-01

    Full Text Available Aim: to investigate and establish the specific complains violations in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM of 2nd type. Materials and methods: 543 patients with DM of 2nd type were examined; the disease duration ranged from 2 to 27 years, average – (14.58 ± 1.82 years. Research methods: clinical-anamnestic, clinical-psychopathological, psycho diagnostic, statistical. Research results. We found that compliance to therapy in patients with DM of 2nd type was broken in 90.49 % of cases. We highlighted three options for compliance violations to DM therapy of 2nd type: dismedication (to 68.14 %, disdiet (88.40 % and disexercise (90.49 %. The sub-variants of dismedication compliance violations to DM therapy of 2nd type was hyper-curation type (8.29 %, which was developed according to surplus of appointments execution and hypo-curation type (59.85 %, which was developed according to deficiency of appointments execution. Among them it was possible to distinguish a third – mixed version (7.37 %, which brings together episodes of the surplus and the deficit of medical drugs usage. The sub-options of disdiet option of compliance violations was hyper-curation type (1.66 %, which manifested itself in pathologically excessive rejection of food and hypo-curation type (86.74 %, which manifested itself in a disregard for the restrictions in the diet. Disexercise variant of compliance violations was possible to divide into hyper-curation type (4,24 %, manifested in excessive physical activity and, in its turn, had three subtypes – inceptional (1.66 %, sub-hyper-curation (1.10 % and procurationis (1.47 %, and hypo-curation type of compliance violations (87.48 %, which manifested itself in a disregard of physical exertion. Dominance of disdiet and disexercise compliance violations among patients with DM of 2nd type (χ2 = 117.258, p < 0.01, dismedication option among patients of all hyper-curation types of compliance violations with DM of 2nd type (χ2 = 26

  7. The Annual Condition of Education Report, 2011

    Science.gov (United States)

    Iowa Department of Education, 2011

    2011-01-01

    The Annual Condition of Education Report provides a wide range of state-level data, including shifts in student populations and demographics, teacher salaries and characteristics, student achievement results, and school financial information. A few examples of the categories presented in this 22nd edition report include: (1) Enrollment; (2) Early…

  8. Bioceramic hydroxyapatite coating fabricated on TI-6Al-4V using Nd:YAG Laser

    CSIR Research Space (South Africa)

    Tlotleng, Monnamme

    2014-11-01

    Full Text Available Driven Innovation, 15th Annual International Conference, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 6-7 November 2014 Bioceramic hydroxyapatite coating fabricated on TI-6Al-4V using Nd:YAG Laser M. Tlotleng1, 4*, E. Akinlabi1, M. Shukla2, 3, S. Pityana4, T...

  9. The Nd-Mn exchange interaction, low temperature specific heat and magnetism of Nd{sub 2/3}Ca{sub 1/3}MnO{sub 3}

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Beznosov, Anatoly [B. Verkin Institute for Low Temperature Physics and Engineering NASU, 47 Lenin Avenue, Kharkov 61103 (Ukraine); Fertman, Elena, E-mail: fertman@ilt.kharkov.ua [B. Verkin Institute for Low Temperature Physics and Engineering NASU, 47 Lenin Avenue, Kharkov 61103 (Ukraine); Desnenko, Vladimir [B. Verkin Institute for Low Temperature Physics and Engineering NASU, 47 Lenin Avenue, Kharkov 61103 (Ukraine); Kajnakova, Marcela; Feher, Alexander [Centre of Low Temperature Physics of the Faculty of Science UPJS and IEP SAS, Park Angelinum 9, 04154 Kosice (Slovakia)

    2011-10-15

    The low temperature specific heat and magnetic characteristics of Nd{sub 2/3}Ca{sub 1/3}MnO{sub 3} perovskite are studied in a wide range of magnetic fields (up to 9 T). Temperature dependent specific heat data show a broadened Schottky-like anomaly below 20 K caused by splitting of the Nd{sup 3+} ions ground-state doublet in the effective molecular field H{sub ex}, determined by exchange interaction between Nd and Mn spin systems supplemented by an applied external magnetic field. Existence of the splitting at zero magnetic field and expressed field dependence is the evidence of a strong exchange coupling between Nd and Mn magnetic subsystems. The Nd-ions magnetic ordering leads to an additional contribution to the magnetic moment of the system below 30 K, producing anomalies of the magnetic loss and field-cooled and zero-field-cooled magnetizations. The observed broadened Schottky-like anomalies are fitted for each applied magnetic field by the sum of three Schottky functions. Applied magnetic field extends the anomaly region and shifts it to higher temperatures. Splitting of the higher crystal field Kramers doublets gives an additional contribution to the heat capacity in magnetic fields. The ground state doublet g-factors g{sub ||} and g{sub perpendicular} were estimated to be 3.4 and 2.2, respectively, and H{sub ex} was estimated to be 9 T. The Nd{sup 3+} ions magnetic moment estimated from the magnetization data agrees with the value obtained from the specific heat data. - Highlights: > Low temperature specific heat of Nd{sub 2/3}Ca{sub 1/3}MnO{sub 3} has been measured in magnetic fields up to 9 T. > Schottky-like anomalies are fitted for each magnetic field by a sum of three Schottky functions. > An effective magnetic field of the Mn spin system on Nd ion has been estimated as H{sub ex}=9 T. > Nd{sup 3+} ground-state g-factors have been estimated as g{sub ||}=3.4 and g{sub perpendicular} =2.2. > Magnetic ordering of the Nd subsystem has been revealed below

  10. Study of VUV emission and γ-ray responses of Nd:BaF2 scintillaotor

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Yanagida, Takayuki; Kawaguchi, Noriaki; Yokota, Yuui; Ishidu, Sumito; Fukuda, Kentaro; Yoshikawa, Akira; Pejchal, Jan; Nikl, Martin; Babin, Vladimir; Sekiya, Hiroyuki; Kamada, Kei

    2010-01-01

    Nd 3+ 1%, 5% and 10% doped BaF 2 single crystals were grown by the micro-pulling down method. Photoluminescence properties, including excitation and emission spectra and luminescence decay were measured under synchrotron radiation excitation at the Superlumi station in HASYLAB at DESY (Hamburg, Germany). The Nd 3+ related 5d-4f emission lines peaking around 180 nm, 230 nm, and 260 nm, identified as the 5d- 4 I j , 5d- 4 F j , and 5d- 2 G j transitions, were observed under 140-168 nm excitation. In photoluminescence decay under the 160 nm excitation, the dominant component decay time is about 12, 2.5 and 1.2 ns for Nd 3+ 1%, 5% and 10% concentration, respectively. The decay time shortening is explained by the concentration quenching effect. Transmittance of Nd1% sample is about 80% for wavelengths above 185 nm. Finally, gamma-ray responses, non-proportionality and energy resolution of Nd1% sample were compared with the undoped BaF 2 scintillator. The light yield of the Nd1%:BaF 2 is about 93% of that of undoped BaF 2 .

  11. Neutron investigation of Ru-doped Nd1/2Ca1/2MnO3. Comparison with Cr-doped Nd1/2Ca1/2MnO3

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Moritomo, Yutaka; Nonobe, Toshihiko; Machida, Akihiko; Ohoyama, Kenji

    2002-01-01

    Lattice and magnetic properties are investigated for 3% Ru- and Cr-doped Nd 1/2 Ca 1/2 MnO 3 . The parent Nd 1/2 Ca 1/2 MnO 3 is a charge-ordered insulator (T CO =250K). With decreasing temperature below ≅210K, these compounds are separated into two perovskite phases, that is, the long-c and short-c phases. The long-c region shows a ferromagnetic transition at T C ≅210K for the Ru-doped compound and ≅130K for the Cr-doped compound, while the short-c region shows antiferromagnetic transition at T N ≅150K for Ru and ≅110K for Cr. We discuss the origin of the enhanced T C for the Ru-doped compound in terms of the effective one-electron bandwidth W of the e g -band. (author)

  12. Are biodiversity indices of spontaneous grass covers in olive orchards good indicators of soil degradation?

    Science.gov (United States)

    Taguas, E. V.; Arroyo, C.; Lora, A.; Guzmán, G.; Vanderlinden, K.; Gómez, J. A.

    2015-03-01

    Spontaneous grass covers are an inexpensive soil erosion control measure in olive orchards. Olive farmers allow grass to grow on sloping terrain to comply with the basic environmental standards derived from the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). However, to date there are very few studies assessing the environmental quality and extent of such covers. In this study, we described and compared the biodiversity indicators associated to herbaceous vegetation in two contrasting olive orchards in order to evaluate its relevance and quality. In addition, biodiversity patterns and their relationships with environmental factors such as soil type and properties, precipitation, topography and soil management were analyzed. Different grass cover biodiversity indices were evaluated in two olive orchard catchments under conventional tillage and no tillage with grass cover, during 3 hydrological years (2011-2013). Seasonal samples of vegetal material and pictures in a permanent grid (4 samples ha-1) were taken to characterize the temporal variations of the number of species, frequency, diversity and transformed Shannon's and Pielou's indices. Sorensen's index obtained in the two olive orchard catchments showed notable differences in composition, probably linked with the different site conditions. The catchment with the best site conditions (deeper soil and higher precipitation), with average annual soil losses over 10 t ha-1 and a more intense management, presented the highest biodiversity indices. In absolute terms, the diversity indices were reasonably high in both catchments, despite the fact that agricultural activity usually severely limits the landscape and the variety of species. Finally, a significantly higher content of organic matter in the first 10 cm of soil was found in the catchment with the worst site conditions, average annual soil losses of 2 t ha-1 and the least intense management. Therefore, the biodiversity indicators associated to weeds were not found to be

  13. Nd(NH2SO3)(SO4) . 1.5 H2O: a non-centrosymmetric amidosulfate-sulfate of neodymium

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Wickleder, M.S.

    2005-01-01

    The thermal decomposition of Nd(NH 2 SO 3 ) 3 . 2 H 2 O in a closed tube leads to violet single crystals of Nd(NH 2 SO 3 )(SO 4 ) . 1.5 H 2 O. The compound crystallizes with the space group P1 (Z = 2, a = 689.2, b = 691.4, c = 962.0 pm, α = 109.64, β = 97.00, γ = 109.62 ). The triclinic unit cell can be transformed into the respective bodycentered setting I1 (Z = 2, a = 977.9, b = 795.6, c = 1113.0 pm, α = 90.69, β = 115.06, γ = 88.98 ) leading to a nearly monoclinic unit cell for the compound. In the crystal structure of Nd(NH 2 SO 3 )(SO 4 ) . 1.5 H 2 O two Nd 3+ ions are present. Nd(1) 3+ is coordinated by four NH 2 SO 3 - and two SO 4 2- ions, and one H 2 O molecule. Owing to the chelating attack of the sulfate groups, the CN is nine. Nd(2) 3+ is surrounded by four monodentate SO 4 2- and two NH 2 SO 3 - groups. Two H 2 O ligands fill up the coordination sphere and lead to a CN of eight. The linkage of the polyhedra leads to a three-dimensional network. (orig.)

  14. Combination of CO2 and Q-switched Nd:YAG lasers is more effective than Q-switched Nd:YAG laser alone for eyebrow tattoo removal.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Radmanesh, Mohammad; Rafiei, Zohreh

    2015-04-01

    The eyebrow tattoo removal using Q-switched lasers is usually prolonged. Other modalities may be required to enhance the efficacy and shorten the treatment course. To compare the efficacy of Q-switched neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser alone versus combination of Q-switched Nd:YAG and Ultrapulse CO2 lasers for eyebrow tattoo removal after a single session. After local anesthesia, the right eyebrow of 20 patients was treated with Ultrapulse CO2 laser with the parameters of 4 J/cm(2) and 3.2 J/cm(2) for the first and the second passes. Both eyebrows were then treated with 1064-nm and 532-nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. The spot size and pulse duration were 3 mm and 5 nanoseconds for both wavelengths, and the fluence was 7 J/cm(2) for 1064 nm and 3 J/cm (2) for 532 nm. The side treated with combination of Q-switched Nd:YAG and CO2 lasers improved 75-100% in 6 of 20 patients versus only 1 of 20 in the side treated with Q-switched Nd:YAG alone. Similarly, the right side in 13 of 20 patients showed more than 50% improvement with combination therapy versus the left side (the monotherapy side), where only 6 of 20 cases showed more than 50% improvement. The Mann-Whitney test was 2.85 for the right side and 1.95 for the left side (P value = 0.007). Using Ultra pulse CO2 laser enhances the efficacy of Q-switched Nd:YAG laser in eyebrow tattoo removal.

  15. Propagation of Nd magnetic phases in Nd/Sm(001) superlattices

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Soriano, S; Dufour, C; Dumesnil, K; Stunault, A

    2006-01-01

    The propagation of Nd long range magnetic order in the hexagonal and cubic sublattices has been investigated in double hexagonal compact Nd/Sm(001) superlattices by resonant x-ray magnetic scattering at the Nd L 2 absorption edge. For a superlattice with 3.7 nm thick Sm layers, the magnetic structure of the hexagonal sublattice propagates coherently through several bilayers, whereas the order in the cubic sublattice remains confined to single Nd blocks. For a superlattice with 1.4 nm thick Sm layers, the magnetic structures of both sublattices appear to propagate coherently through the superlattice. This is the first observation (i) of the long range coherent propagation of Nd order on the cubic sites between Nd blocks and (ii) of a different thickness dependence of the propagation of the Nd magnetic phases associated with the hexagonal and cubic sublattices. The propagation of the Nd magnetic order through Sm is interpreted in terms of generalized susceptibility of the Nd conduction electrons

  16. Nd2Fe14C-based magnet with better permanent magnetic properties prepared by a simple mechanochemical method

    Science.gov (United States)

    Geng, Hongmin; Ji, Yuan; Zhang, Jingjing; Gao, Yuchao; Yan, Yu; Wang, Wenquan; Su, Feng; Du, Xiaobo

    2017-11-01

    Nd2Fe14C-based magnet is prepared by a mechanochemical method, namely high-energy ball-milling Nd2Fe11Bx (x = 0-0.15) alloy in heptane (C7H16), followed by annealing to 850 °C in vacuum. Under the action of high-energy ball-milling, Nd2Fe11Bx react with heptane to form NdH2+δ, Fe-(CB), C, etc. H2 is released and Nd2Fe17, Nd2Fe17Cx (x = 0-3), Nd2Fe14C, Nd carbides and α-Fe are formed in the subsequent annealing. C amount depends on ball-milling time t. Long time ball milling or high C content suppresses the formation of 2:17 phase and favors the formation of 2:14:1 phase in the final products. Excessive ball-milling results in the quick increase of α-Fe. The maximum of magnetically hard Nd2Fe14C is obtained at t = 4 h. For Nd2Fe11 samples, there exists considerable quantity of Nd carbides and α-Fe phase appears earlier and increases rapidly with extending the ball-milling time t. The addition of B element shortens the ball-milling time of the formation of maximum Nd2Fe14C and prominently suppresses the formation of Nd carbide and α-Fe. The optimum magnetic properties, coercivity iHc of 1193.7 kA/m, remanence Mr of 580.9 kA/m, maximum magnetic energy product (BH)max of 91.7 kJ/m3 is approaching to its theoretic value of 99.2 kJ/m3 for isotropic Nd2Fe14C magnet, are obtained in Nd2Fe11B0.06 alloy ball milled for 3.5 h.

  17. Kinetics of selected elementary reactions of NH(a{sup 1}{delta}) or ND(a{sup {delta}}), NH(X{sup 3}{sigma}{sup -}) or ND(X{sup 3}{sigma}{sup -}) and NH{sub 2}(X), NHD(X), NH{sub 2}(X) radicals; Untersuchung der Kinetik ausgewaehlter Elementarreaktionen von NH(a{sup 1}{delta})- bzw. ND(a{sup 1}{delta})-, NH(X{sup 3}{sigma}{sup -})- bzw. ND(X{sup 3}{sigma}{sup -})- und NH{sub 2}(X)-, NHD(X)-, ND{sub 2}(X)-Radikalen

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Adam, L.

    2002-02-01

    The elementary reactions of the NH and ND radicals in the ground state and the first excited state with H({sup 2}S) atoms and with molecules containing hydrogen and fluorine element bonds were investigated in the gaseous phase at a pressure of p = 7-80 bar. The elementary reactions of the NH{sub 2}, NHD and ND{sub 2} radicals in the ground state with hydrogen halides in the gaseous phase were investigated as well. [German] Die Elementarreaktionen des NH- bzw. ND-Radikals im Elektronengrundzustand und im ersten elektronisch angeregten Zustand mit H({sup 2}S)-Atomen und mit Molekuelen, die Wasserstoff- und Fluor-Elementbindungen besitzen, wurden in der Gasphase bei einem Druck von p = 7 - 80 mbar untersucht. Weiterhin wurden die Elementarreaktionen der NH{sub 2}-, NHD- bzw. ND{sub 2}-Radikale im Elektronengrundzustand mit Halogenwasserstoffen in der Gasphase untersucht. (orig.)

  18. Persistent deNOx Ability of CaAl2O4:(Eu, Nd/TiO2-xNy Luminescent Photocatalyst

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Li Huihui

    2011-01-01

    Full Text Available Abstract CaAl2O4:(Eu, Nd/TiO2-xNy composite luminescent photocatalyst was successfully synthesized by a simple planetary ball milling process. Improvement of photocatalytic deNOx ability of TiO2-xNy, together with the persistent photocatalytic activity for the decomposition of NO after turning off the light were realized, by coupling TiO2-xNy with long afterglow phosphor, CaAl2O4:(Eu, Nd. The novel persistent photocatalytic behavior was related to the overlap between the absorption wavelength of TiO2-xNy and the emission wavelength of the CaAl2O4:(Eu, Nd. It was found that CaAl2O4:(Eu, Nd/TiO2-xNy composites provided the luminescence to persist photocatalytic reaction for more than 3 h after turning off the light. Graphical Abstract CaAl2O4:(Eu, Nd/TiO2-xNy composite luminescent photocatalyst with persistent deNOx activity after turning off the light was successfully synthesized by a simple planetary ball milling process. The novel persistent photocatalytic behavior was related to the overlap between the absorption wavelength of TiO2-xNy and the emission wavelength of the CaAl2O4:(Eu, Nd. Additional file 1 Click here for file

  19. 2nd Tourism Postdisciplinarity Conference

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Following the noted success of the 1st international conference on postdisciplinary approaches to tourism studies (held in Neuchatel, Switzerland, 19-22 June, 2013), we are happy to welcome you to the 2nd Tourism Postdisciplinarity Conference. Postdisciplinarity surpasses the boundaries...... of study less embedded in that system of thought. Postdisciplinarity is an epistemological endeavour that speaks of knowledge production and the ways in which the world of physical and social phenomena can be known. It is also an ontological discourse as it concerns what we call ‘tourism...

  20. The 2nd reactor core of the NS Otto Hahn

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Manthey, H.J.; Kracht, H.

    1979-01-01

    Details of the design of the 2nd reactor core are given, followed by a brief report summarising the operating experience gained with this 2nd core, as well as by an evaluation of measured data and statements concerning the usefulness of the knowledge gained for the development of future reactor cores. Quite a number of these data have been used to improve the concept and thus the specifications for the fuel elements of the 3rd core of the reactor of the NS Otto Hahn. (orig./HP) [de

  1. The suitability of annual tree growth rings as environmental archives: Evidence from Sr, Nd, Pb and Ca isotopes in spruce growth rings from the Strengbach watershed

    Science.gov (United States)

    Stille, Peter; Schmitt, Anne-Désirée; Labolle, François; Pierret, Marie-Claire; Gangloff, Sophie; Cobert, Florian; Lucot, Eric; Guéguen, Florence; Brioschi, Laure; Steinmann, Marc; Chabaux, François

    2012-05-01

    The combination of the Sr, Nd and Pb isotope systems, recognized as tracers of sources, with the Ca isotope system, known to reveal biology-related fractionations, allowed us to test the reliability of spruce (Picea abies) growth rings as environmental archives through time (from 1916 to 1983) in a forest ecosystem affected by acid atmospheric deposition. Sr and Pb isotopes have already been applied in former tree-ring studies, whereas the suitability of Nd and Ca isotope systems is checked in the present article. Our Sr and Nd isotope data indicate an evolution in the cation origin with a geogenic origin for the oldest rings and an atmospheric origin for the youngest rings. Ca isotopes show, for their part, an isotopic homogeneity which could be linked to the very low weathering flux of Ca. Since this flux is weak the spruces' root systems have pumped the Ca mainly from the organic matter-rich top-soil over the past century. In contrast, the annual growth rings studied are not reliable and suitable archives of past Pb pollution.

  2. Luminescence properties of Nd3+-doped Y2O3 nanoparticles in organic media

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Cui, Xiaoxia; Hou, Chaoqi; Lu, Jiabao; Gao, Chao; Wei, Wei; Peng, Bo

    2011-01-01

    Nd 3+ -doped yttrium oxide nanoparticles (Y 2 O 3 :Nd) with cubic phase were obtained successfully by a glycine-nitrate solution combustion method. The results of Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR) showed that the -OH groups residing on the nanoparticles surfaces were reduced effectively by modifying with capping agent. The modified Y 2 O 3 :Nd nanoparticles displayed good monodispersity and excellent luminescence in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) solvent. Some optical parameters were calculated by Judd-Ofelt analysis based on absorption and fluorescence spectra. A relative large stimulated emission cross section, 1.7 x 10 -20 cm 2 , of the 4 F 3/2 → 4 I 11/2 transition was calculated. Theses results show that the modified Y 2 O 3 :Nd nanoparticles display good luminescence behavior in organic media. (orig.)

  3. A route for recycling Nd from Nd-Fe-B magnets using Cu melts

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Moore, Martina; Gebert, Annett, E-mail: a.gebert@ifw-dresden.de; Stoica, Mihai; Uhlemann, Margitta; Löser, Wolfgang

    2015-10-25

    Phase evolutions in Nd-Fe-B magnet/Cu systems have been explored with regard to Nd recycling. It was demonstrated that large scale phase separation into a ferromagnetic Fe(B)-rich ingot core with α-Fe main phase and a non-magnetic (Cu,Nd)-rich ingot rim takes place upon arc melting with Cu fractions ≥ 21.5 wt.-%. The re-solidification of the Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B magnet main phase is suppressed. The rim consists of the Cu{sub 2}Nd main phase and CuNd/Cu{sub 4}Nd minority phases in which Al traces from the magnetic material are gathered. Induction melting of such Nd-Fe-B/Cu mixtures can support the separation of these phase regions with very sharp boundaries. Main features of liquid phase separation and microstructure evolution have been interpreted on the basis of Nd-Fe-Cu phase diagram data. The key advantage with respect to Nd recycling from Nd-Fe-B permanent magnet scrap is the substantial accumulation of Nd in the (Cu,Nd)-rich region of the phase separated solidified specimen, which can be easily detached from the Fe-rich part by mechanical-magnetic treatments. Such portions contained up to ∼44 wt.-% Nd (25 at.-%) in first lab-scale experiments. Nd recovery from the (Cu,Nd)-rich fractions is possible by exploiting the large chemical property differences between the reactive rare earths elements and Cu. - Highlights: • phase evolution analysis in Nd-Fe-B magnet/Cu systems with regard to Nd recycling. • Cu ≥ 21 wt.-%, large scale phase separation- Fe(B)-rich ingot core, (Cu,Nd)-rich rim. • high Nd content (∼44 wt.-%) of (Cu,Nd)-rich region, mechanical-magnetic treatments.

  4. Study on magnetic properties of (Nd0.8Ce0.2)2-xFe12Co2B (x = 0-0.6) alloys

    Science.gov (United States)

    Tan, G. S.; Xu, H.; Yu, L. Y.; Tan, X. H.; Zhang, Q.; Gu, Y.; Hou, X. L.

    2017-09-01

    In the present work, (Nd0.8Ce0.2)2-xFe12Co2B (x = 0-0.6) permanent alloys are prepared by melt-spinning method. The hard magnetic properties of (Nd0.8Ce0.2)2-xFe12Co2B (x = 0-0.6) alloys annealed at optimum temperatures have been investigated systematically. Depending on the Nd, Ce concentration, the maximum energy product ((BH)max) and remanence (Br) increase gradually with x in the range of 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.4, whereas decrease gradually in the alloys with 0.4 plays a certain role in the magnetization reversal behavior and can improve the microstructure of (Nd0.8Ce0.2)1.6Fe12Co2B alloy.

  5. Frustrated ground state in the metallic Ising antiferromagnet Nd2Ni2In

    Science.gov (United States)

    Sala, G.; Mašková, S.; Stone, M. B.

    2017-10-01

    We used inelastic neutron scattering measurements to examine the intermetallic Ising antiferromagnet Nd2Ni2In . The dynamical structure factor displays a spectrum with multiple crystal field excitations. These crystal field excitations consist of a set of four transitions covering a range of energies between 4 and 80 meV. The spectrum is very sensitive to the temperature, and we observed a softening and a shift in the energies above the transition temperature of the system. The analysis of the crystalline electric field scheme confirms the Ising nature of the spins and their orientation as proposed by previous studies. We characterized Nd2Ni2In as a large moment intermetallic antiferromagnet with the potential to support a geometrically frustrated Shastry-Sutherland lattice.

  6. Phase relations in the ZrO2-Nd2O3-Y2O3 system. Experimental study and CALPHAD assessment

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Fabrichnaya, Olga; Savinykh, Galina; Schreiber, Gerhard; Seifert, Hans J.

    2010-01-01

    The thermodynamic parameters of the Nd 2 O 3 Y 2 O 3 system were re-assessed for better reproduction of experimental data. The thermodynamic parameters were combined from binary descriptions to calculate phase diagrams for the ternary system ZrO 2 -Nd 2 O 3 Y 2 O 3 . The calculated phase diagrams were used to select compositions for the experimental studies at 1250, 1400 and 1600 C. The samples were synthesised by co-precipitation and heat treated at 1250-1600 C, investigated by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. It was found that solubility of the Y 2 O 3 in the pyrochlore phase exceeds 10 mol.%. The experimental data obtained for phase equilibria were used to derive thermodynamic parameters for fluorite, Y 2 O 3 cubic phase C, monoclinic B and Nd 2 O 3 hexagonal A phases by CALPHAD method. The isothermal sections and liquidus surface were calculated for the ZrO 2 -Nd 2 O 3 Y 2 O 3 system. (orig.)

  7. 2nd International Arctic Ungulate Conference

    OpenAIRE

    Anonymous, A.

    1996-01-01

    The 2nd International Arctic Ungulate Conference was held 13-17 August 1995 on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus. The Institute of Arctic Biology and the Alaska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit were responsible for organizing the conference with assistance from biologists with state and federal agencies and commercial organizations. David R. Klein was chair of the conference organizing committee. Over 200 people attended the conference, coming from 10 different countries. T...

  8. From 1st- to 2nd-Generation Biofuel Technologies: Extended Executive Summary

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    NONE

    2008-07-01

    This report looks at the technical challenges facing 2nd-generation biofuels, evaluates their costs and examines related current policies to support their development and deployment. The potential for production of more advanced biofuels is also discussed. Although significant progress continues to be made to overcome the technical and economic challenges, 2nd-generation biofuels still face major constraints to their commercial deployment.

  9. Superconductivity in Pd-Intercalated Ternary Rare-Earth Polychalcogenide NdSeTe_2

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Wang Pei-Pei; Xue Mian-Qi; Long Yu-Jia; Zhao Ling-Xiao; Cai Yao; Yang Huai-Xin; Li Jian-Qi; Ren Zhi-An; Chen Gen-Fu

    2015-01-01

    We synthesize a set of Pd-doped polycrystalline samples Pd_xNdSeTe_2 and measure their physical properties. Compared with pure NdSeTe_2, the charge density wave (CDW) order is continuously suppressed with the Pd-intercalation. Bulk superconductivity first appears at x = 0.06 with T_c nearly 2.5K, coexisting with a CDW transition at 176K. Further Pd-doping enhances T_c, until it reaches the maximum value 2.84K at x=0.1, meanwhile the CDW transition vanishes. The upper critical field for the optimal doping sample Pd_0_._1NdSeTe_2 is determined from the R-H measurement, which is estimated to be 0.6 T. These results provide another kind of ideal compound for studying the interplay between CDW and superconductivity systematically. (paper)

  10. Study of Nd-Fe-B alloys with nonstoichiometric Nd content in optimal magnetic state

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Ćosović V.

    2009-01-01

    Full Text Available Characterization of two rapid-quenched Nd-Fe-B alloys with nonstoichiometric Nd content in the optimized magnetic state was carried out using the X-ray diffractometry (XRD, 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopic phase analysis (MS, electron microscopy (TEM, high resolution TEM (HREM and Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID magnetometer. The experimental results demonstrate the fundamental difference in the structure and magnetic properties of the two investigated alloys in the optimized magnetic state. The Nd-Fe-B alloy with the reduced Nd content (Nd4.5Fe77B18.5 was found to have the nanocomposite structure of Fe3B/Nd2Fe14B and partly α-Fe/Nd2Fe14B, with mean grain size below 30 nm. On the other side, the overstoichiometric Nd14Fe79B7 alloy has almost a monophase structure with the dominant content of the hard magnetic phase Nd2Fe14B (up to 95 wt. % and a mean crystallite size about 60 nm, as determined by XRD and TEM analysis. The results of magnetic measurements on SQUID magnetometer also suggest the nanocomposite structure of the Nd-low alloy and nanocrystalline decoupled structure of the Nd-rich alloy after the optimal heat treatment.

  11. Polarized spectroscopic properties of Nd3+-doped KGd(WO4)2 single crystal

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Chen Yujin; Lin Yanfu; Gong Xinghong; Tan Qiguang; Zhuang Jian; Luo Zundu; Huang Yidong

    2007-01-01

    The polarized absorption spectra, infrared fluorescence spectra, upconversion visible fluorescence spectra, and fluorescence decay curve of orientated Nd 3+ :KGd(WO 4 ) 2 crystal were measured at room-temperature. Some important spectroscopic parameters were investigated in detail in the framework of the Judd-Ofelt theory and the Fuchtbauer-Ladenburg formula. The effect of the crystal structure on the spectroscopic properties of the Nd 3+ ions was analyzed. The relation among the spectroscopic parameters and the laser performances of the Nd 3+ :KGd(WO 4 ) 2 crystal was discussed

  12. Structural and magnetic transformations in NdMn2Hx hydrides

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Budziak, A.; Zachariasz, P.; Pełka, R.; Figiel, H.; Żukrowski, J.; Woch, M.W.

    2012-01-01

    Highlights: ► Full structural phase diagram is presented for the NdMn 2 H x (2.0 ≤ x ≤ 4.0) hydrides in the temperature range of 70–385 K. ► For samples x = 2.0, 2.5, and 4.0 a splitting into two phases with different hydrogen concentrations are observed. ► Only for samples with x = 3.0 and 3.5 no spinodal decompositions are detected. ► The effects of hydrogen absorption on structural properties are shown to be reflected in magnetic behavior. ► A huge jump of magnetic ordering temperatures from ∼104 K for host NdMn 2 to above 200 K for its hydrides is observed or anticipated. - Abstract: X-ray powder diffraction and bulk magnetization measurements were used to study structural and magnetic properties of hydrides NdMn 2 H x (2.0 ≤ x ≤ 4.0). The X-ray investigations performed in the temperature range 70–385 K have revealed many structural transformations at low temperatures. In particular, a transformation from the hexagonal to the monoclinic phase and spinodal decompositions were observed. The magnetic behavior of the hydrides is correlated with the structural transitions. A tentative structural diagram is presented. The obtained results are compared with the properties of other cubic and hexagonal RMn 2 H x hydrides.

  13. Nuclear at Niagara. 32nd Annual Canadian Nuclear Society conference and 35th CNS/CNA student conference

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    2011-01-01

    The 32nd Annual Canadian Nuclear Society Conference and 35th CNS/CNA Student Conference was held in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada on June 5-8, 2011. The theme of the conference, 'Nuclear at Niagara', brought together scientists, engineers, technologists, senior management, government officials, and students interested in all aspects of nuclear science and technology and its applications, including nuclear power generation, fuel production, uranium mining and refining, management of radioactive wastes and used fuel. Other topics include medical and industrial uses of radionuclides, occupational and environmental radiation protection, the science and technology of nuclear fusion, and associated activities in research and development. and applications of energy from the atom. The central objective of this conference was to exchange views on how nuclear science and technology can best serve the needs of humanity, now and in the future. Over 400 delegates from across Canada and other nuclear countries were in attendance.

  14. Biodiversity impact assessment (BIA+) - methodological framework for screening biodiversity.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Winter, Lisa; Pflugmacher, Stephan; Berger, Markus; Finkbeiner, Matthias

    2018-03-01

    For the past 20 years, the life cycle assessment (LCA) community has sought to integrate impacts on biodiversity into the LCA framework. However, existing impact assessment methods still fail to do so comprehensively because they quantify only a few impacts related to specific species and regions. This paper proposes a methodological framework that will allow LCA practitioners to assess currently missing impacts on biodiversity on a global scale. Building on existing models that seek to quantify the impacts of human activities on biodiversity, the herein proposed methodological framework consists of 2 components: a habitat factor for 14 major habitat types and the impact on the biodiversity status in those major habitat types. The habitat factor is calculated by means of indicators that characterize each habitat. The biodiversity status depends on parameters from impact categories. The impact functions, relating these different parameters to a given response in the biodiversity status, rely on expert judgments. To ensure the applicability for LCA practitioners, the components of the framework can be regionalized on a country scale for which LCA inventory data is more readily available. The weighting factors for the 14 major habitat types range from 0.63 to 1.82. By means of area weighting of the major habitat types in a country, country-specific weighting factors are calculated. In order to demonstrate the main part of the framework, examples of impact functions are given for the categories "freshwater eutrophication" and "freshwater ecotoxicity" in 1 major habitat type. The results confirm suitability of the methodological framework. The major advantages are the framework's user-friendliness, given that data can be used from LCA databases directly, and the complete inclusion of all levels of biodiversity (genetic, species, and ecosystem). It is applicable for the whole world and a wide range of impact categories. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2018;14:282-297.

  15. Nd Fe10 Mo2 alloys production through reduction-diffusion for nitrogenation

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Guilherme, Eneida da G.; Rechenberg, Hercilio R.

    1996-01-01

    In this work we have examined the effect of various processing variables on the Nd Fe 10 Mo 2 phase formation by reduction-diffusion calciothermic process (R D C). The best results were obtained for 4 hours treatment at 950 deg C with 40% excess content Nd Cl 3 and 50% excess content of Ca, for alloy Nd Fe 10.5 Mo 1.5 . Preliminary nitrogen absorption experiments have been done, without any further powder size reduction at temperatures between 300 and 350 deg C. (author)

  16. Nd composition dependence of microstructure and magnetic properties for gradient sputtered NdFeB films

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Li Shandong; Wang Dawei; Fang Jianglin; Duh, J.-G.; Wang Yinying; Wu Yizhi; Huang Junheng; Zheng Hongjun

    2008-01-01

    NdFeB films with Nd compositions varied from 13.34 to 24.30 at% were deposited by DC gradient sputtering using targets Nd 12.5 Fe 71.5 B 16 and Nd. The hard magnetic properties, grain growth direction and magnetic domain structures were dramatically influenced by Nd composition. The samples with intermediate Nd concentrations exhibited optimal magnetic properties and microstructures, such as large squareness ratio over 0.9, large energy product up to 174 kJ/m 3 , and vertical domain structure. However, the samples with higher and lower Nd compositions showed almost isotropic loops. (0 0 l) as main X-ray diffraction peaks in the optimal Nd composition region indicated most of Nd 2 Fe 14 B grains with c-axis perpendicular to the film plane, while NdFeB grains in other region are almost random growth. The good magnetic properties can be attributed to the vertical growth of Nd 2 Fe 14 B grains

  17. Nd composition dependence of microstructure and magnetic properties for gradient sputtered NdFeB films

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Li Shandong [Department of Physics, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350007 (China)], E-mail: dylsd007@yahoo.com.cn; Wang Dawei [Department of Physics, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350007 (China); Fang Jianglin [Center for Materials Analysis, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093 (China); Duh, J.-G. [Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National TsingHua Universtiy, Hsinchu, Taiwan (China); Wang Yinying; Wu Yizhi; Huang Junheng; Zheng Hongjun [Department of Physics, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350007 (China)

    2008-08-15

    NdFeB films with Nd compositions varied from 13.34 to 24.30 at% were deposited by DC gradient sputtering using targets Nd{sub 12.5}Fe{sub 71.5}B{sub 16} and Nd. The hard magnetic properties, grain growth direction and magnetic domain structures were dramatically influenced by Nd composition. The samples with intermediate Nd concentrations exhibited optimal magnetic properties and microstructures, such as large squareness ratio over 0.9, large energy product up to 174 kJ/m{sup 3}, and vertical domain structure. However, the samples with higher and lower Nd compositions showed almost isotropic loops. (0 0 l) as main X-ray diffraction peaks in the optimal Nd composition region indicated most of Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B grains with c-axis perpendicular to the film plane, while NdFeB grains in other region are almost random growth. The good magnetic properties can be attributed to the vertical growth of Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B grains.

  18. High-Temperature Heat Capacity of Germanates Pr2Ge2O7 and Nd2Ge2O7 within 350-1000 K

    Science.gov (United States)

    Denisova, L. T.; Irtyugo, L. A.; Beletskii, V. V.; Belousova, N. V.; Denisov, V. M.

    2018-03-01

    Pr2Ge2O7 and Nd2Ge2O7 were obtained via solid-phase synthesis from Pr2O3 ( Nd2O3) and GeO2 with multistage firing in air within 1273-1473 K. A temperature effect on molar heat capacity of the oxide compounds was measured with a differential scanning calorimetry. Their thermodynamic properties were calculated from the C P = f( T) dependences.

  19. Colossal magnetoresistance in layered manganite Nd22xSr1+ ...

    Indian Academy of Sciences (India)

    starting compounds, have been obtained. Except for x=0.4, which is found to be an antiferromagnetic insulator, all other x values yielded metal–insulator transition and ferromagnetic ordering. Keywords. Colossal magnetoresistance; layered manganites; Nd22x Sr1+2x Mn2O7. PACS Nos 75.30.Vn; 71.30.+h. 1. Introduction.

  20. Analysis of asthenic phenomens in patients with type 2nd diabetes mellitus in the clinical and psychological aspect

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    O. V. Tkachenko

    2017-03-01

    Full Text Available Aim – to analyze the peculiarities of asthenic manifestations in patients with type 2nd diabetes mellitus (DM in clinical and psychological perspective. Materials and methods. We examined in 543 patients with type 2nd DM. The first clinical group (CG-1 was 57 patients with type 2nd DM of mild severity; the average age in the group was (51,80±1,28 years. The second clinical group (CG-2 made up of 312 patients with type 2nd DM, moderate severity; mean age in the group was (55,10±1,12 years. The third clinical group (CG-3 included 174 patients with type 2nd DM, severe degree of severity; the average age in the group was (61.80±0,85 years. Research methods: clinical-anamnestic, clinical-psychopathological, statistical. Results. The marked prevalence of asthenic syndrome in patients wath type 2nd DM 52,30%, which is almost half among all surveyed type 2nd DM. Discovered the direct correlation of asthenic symptoms with the severity of the type 2nd DM (rs = 0.4033, p<0.01. The factors in the risk of asthenic syndrome in patients with type 2nd DM was installed, among them is dominated by a moderate and severe degree of type 2nd DM, combined with obesity 2 degrees, DEP II degree, ischemic heart disease, heart failure, degenerative dystrophic lesions of the spine. Established that there is a direct correlation asthenic syndrome to the severity of type 2nd DM, as well as the accompanying somatic pathology. Established dominance in CG-1 and CG-2 component fatigue "mental fatigue" and CG-3 component "physical fatigue". Conclusions. Features of asthenic manifestations in patients with type 2nd DM in clinical and psychological perspective were investigated. The detection rate of asthenic manifestations among patients with type 2nd DM and the factors for their amplification were established. The organic etiology of asthenic manifestations have been proven; presentation about the stages of development of asthenic symptoms in patients with type 2nd DM were

  1. Biodiversity and Climate Modeling Workshop Series: Identifying gaps and needs for improving large-scale biodiversity models

    Science.gov (United States)

    Weiskopf, S. R.; Myers, B.; Beard, T. D.; Jackson, S. T.; Tittensor, D.; Harfoot, M.; Senay, G. B.

    2017-12-01

    At the global scale, well-accepted global circulation models and agreed-upon scenarios for future climate from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) are available. In contrast, biodiversity modeling at the global scale lacks analogous tools. While there is great interest in development of similar bodies and efforts for international monitoring and modelling of biodiversity at the global scale, equivalent modelling tools are in their infancy. This lack of global biodiversity models compared to the extensive array of general circulation models provides a unique opportunity to bring together climate, ecosystem, and biodiversity modeling experts to promote development of integrated approaches in modeling global biodiversity. Improved models are needed to understand how we are progressing towards the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, many of which are not on track to meet the 2020 goal, threatening global biodiversity conservation, monitoring, and sustainable use. We brought together biodiversity, climate, and remote sensing experts to try to 1) identify lessons learned from the climate community that can be used to improve global biodiversity models; 2) explore how NASA and other remote sensing products could be better integrated into global biodiversity models and 3) advance global biodiversity modeling, prediction, and forecasting to inform the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, and the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Global Assessment of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. The 1st In-Person meeting focused on determining a roadmap for effective assessment of biodiversity model projections and forecasts by 2030 while integrating and assimilating remote sensing data and applying lessons learned, when appropriate, from climate modeling. Here, we present the outcomes and lessons learned from our first E-discussion and in-person meeting and discuss the next steps for future meetings.

  2. Effect of spin reorientation on magnetocaloric and transport properties of NdAl{sub 2}

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Souza, M.V. de, E-mail: marcos_vinicios@hotmail.com [Núcleo de Pós-Graduação em Física, Campus Prof. José Aloísio de Campos, UFS, 49100-000 São Cristóvão, SE (Brazil); Silva, J.A. da [Núcleo de Pós-Graduação em Física, Campus Prof. José Aloísio de Campos, UFS, 49100-000 São Cristóvão, SE (Brazil); Silva, L.S. [Núcleo de Pós-Graduação em Física, Campus Prof. José Aloísio de Campos, UFS, 49100-000 São Cristóvão, SE (Brazil); Instituto Federal de Tocantins, IFTO – Campus Colinas do Tocantins, AV. Bernardo Sayao S/N, Chácara Raio de Sol, Setor Santa Maria, CEP 77760-000 Colinas do Tocantins, TO (Brazil)

    2017-01-01

    We report the magneto-thermal and resistive properties of rare-earth dialuminide NdAl{sub 2}, including spin reorientation transition. To this purpose, we used a theoretical model that considers the interactions of exchange and Zeeman, besides the anisotropy due to the electrical crystal field. The theoretical results obtained were compared to experimental data of the NdAl{sub 2} in single crystal and bulk forms. Explicitly, we have calculated the anisotropic variation of magnetic entropy with the magnetic field oriented along the three principal crystallographic directions: [100], [110], and [111] of NdAl{sub 2} single crystal, where a signature of the spin reorientation is observed in the [110] and [111] directions. Moreover, of magnetoresistivity we consider the applied magnetic field along the crystallographic directions [100] and [110]. In turn, for the polycrystalline form, the good agreement between theory and experiment confirms the presence of spin reorientation, which was predicted theoretically in magnetization curves. - Highlights: • Modeling of the thermodynamics quantities in NdAl{sub 2} single crystal and policrystal. • Modeling of the transport properties in NdAl{sub 2} single crystal. • Effect of reorientation of spin on caloric and transport properties.

  3. Study on microstructure and properties of extruded Mg-2Nd-0.2Zn alloy as potential biodegradable implant material.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Li, Junlei; Tan, Lili; Wan, Peng; Yu, Xiaoming; Yang, Ke

    2015-04-01

    Mg-2Nd-0.2Zn (NZ20) alloy was prepared for the application as biodegradable implant material in this study. The effects of the extrusion process on microstructure, mechanical and corrosion properties of the alloy were investigated. The as-cast alloy was composed of α-Mg matrix and Mg12Nd eutectic compound. The solution treatment could lead to the Mg12Nd phase dissolution and the grain coarsening. The alloy (E1) preheated at 380°C for 1h and extruded at 390°C presents fine grains with amounts of tiny Mg12Nd particles uniformly dispersed throughout the boundaries and the interior of the grains. The alloy (E2) preheated at 480°C for 1h and extruded at 500°C exhibits relatively larger grains with few nano-scale Mg12Nd phase particles dispersed. The alloy of E1, compared with E2, showed relatively lower corrosion rate, higher yield strength and slightly lower elongation. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  4. Magnetic Properties of NdAl2

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Bak, P.

    1974-01-01

    The magnetic properties of NdAl2 are calculated using a Hamiltonian including crystal-field and isotropic exchange interaction terms. A two-dimensional mean-field theory is evaluated to calculate single-crystal magnetization curves. It is shown that the magnetic properties can be understood using...... the crystal-field parameters derived from the magnetic exciton spectrum measured by Houmann et al. by means of inelastic neutron scattering. The combined lambda -Schottky anomaly in the heat capacity is explained. No additional parameters are introduced....

  5. Clinical Investigation Program Annual Progress Report

    Science.gov (United States)

    1988-10-20

    Presented: Interna- tional Symposium on Orthopedics, Mexico , September 1987. Publications: In preparation. 147 FAMC A.P.R. (RCS MED 300) Detail Summary...Infection: A Prospective Study. Presented: 2nd Annual Symposium of the Rocky Moun- tain Flow Cytometry Users Group, Albuquerque, New Mexico , 10-11...Podgore, COL, MC (9) Dept/ISvc: Pediatrics (10) Associate Investigators (11) Key Words: Myron J. Levin, M.D. varicella vaccine U Co. HSC (12

  6. High field magnetization process of (Sm, Nd)2Fe17Ny compounds

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Yu, M.J.; Tang, N.; Liu, Y.L.; Tegus, O.; Lu, Y.; Kuang, J.P.; Yang, F.M.; Li, X.; Zhou, G.F.; Boer, F.R. de

    1992-01-01

    The crystal structure and high-field magnetization process of (Sm 1-x Nd x ) 2 Fe 17 N y compounds (x = 0.0, 0.1, ..., 1.0, 2 1-x Nd x ) 2 Fe 17 N y compounds were found to crystallize in the rhombohedral Th 2 Zn 17 structure. As x increases, the Curie temperature decreases. The anisotropy fields and easy magnetization direction were investigated from 1.5 K to room temperature by means of high-field magnetization measurements and AC-susceptibility measurements, combined with X-ray diffraction on random and magnetically aligned powder samples. The anisotropy field decreases with increasing x and approaches a minimum value at about x = 0.6, then increases again. A tentative spin phase diagram for the (Sm 1-x Nd x ) 2 Fe 17 N y series is presented. At room temperature, the easy magnetization direction remains along the c-axis up to x = 0.6. (orig.)

  7. Magnetic properties of Nd-deficient manganites Nd0.9-xCaxMnOy

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Troyanchuk, I.O.; Khomchenko, V.A.; Pastushonok, S.N.; Novitsky, O.A.; Pavlov, V.I.; Szymczak, H.

    2006-01-01

    X-ray diffraction and magnetic studies of neodymium deficient Nd 0.9-x Ca x MnO y (0= 0.9 MnO y samples have been prepared in the 2.85= g -orbitals of manganese ions. Composition with y=2.85 is antiferromagnet with T N =85K, whereas for more oxidized Nd 0.9 MnO y samples a coexistence of antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic phases is suggested. Low-temperature magnetic phase transition which is accompanied by a negative magnetization appearance has been found in the Nd 0.9 MnO 2.90 compound. Magnetic behavior of Nd 0.9-x Ca x MnO y (0.1= 1-x Ca x MnO 3 series. Properties of the Nd 0.9-x Ca x MnO y (0=< x=<0.4) solid solutions are in agreement with a hypothesis according to which a part of Nd ions can be substituted by Mn ions

  8. Investigation on demagnetization of Nd2Fe14B permanent magnets induced by irradiation

    Science.gov (United States)

    Li, Zhefu; Jia, Yanyan; Liu, Renduo; Xu, Yuhai; Wang, Guanghong; Xia, Xiaobin

    2017-12-01

    Nd2Fe14B is an important component of insertion devices, which are used in synchrotron radiation sources, and could be demagnetized by irradiation. In the present study, the Monte Carlo code FLUKA was used to analyze the irradiation field of Nd2Fe14B, and it was confirmed that the main demagnetization particle was neutron. Nd2Fe14B permanent magnet samples were irradiated by Ar ions at different doses to simulate neutron irradiation damage. The hysteresis loops were measured using a vibrating sample magnetometer, and the microstructure evolutions were characterized by transmission electron microscopy. Moreover, the relationship between them was discussed. The results indicate that the decrease in saturated magnetization is caused by the changes in microstructure. The evolution of single crystals into an amorphous structure is the reason for the demagnetization phenomenon of Nd2Fe14B permanent magnets when considering its microscopic structure.

  9. Selected Abstracts of the 2nd Congress of joint European Neonatal Societies (jENS 2017); Venice (Italy); October 31-November 4, 2017; Session "Neonatal Infectious Diseases/Immunology"

    OpenAIRE

    --- Various Authors

    2017-01-01

    Selected Abstracts of the 2nd Congress of joint European Neonatal Societies (jENS 2017); Venice (Italy); October 31-November 4, 201758th ESPR Annual Meeting, 7th International Congress of UENPS, 3rd International Congress of EFCNIORGANIZING INSTITUTIONSEuropean Society for Paediatric Research (ESPR), European Society for Neonatology (ESN), Union of European Neonatal & Perinatal Societies (UENPS), European Foundation for the Care of Newborn Infants (EFCNI)ORGANIZING COMMITTEELuc Zimmer...

  10. Selected Abstracts of the 2nd Congress of joint European Neonatal Societies (jENS 2017); Venice (Italy); October 31-November 4, 2017; Session "Neurology and Follow-up"

    OpenAIRE

    --- Various Authors

    2017-01-01

    Selected Abstracts of the 2nd Congress of joint European Neonatal Societies (jENS 2017); Venice (Italy); October 31-November 4, 201758th ESPR Annual Meeting, 7th International Congress of UENPS, 3rd International Congress of EFCNIORGANIZING INSTITUTIONSEuropean Society for Paediatric Research (ESPR), European Society for Neonatology (ESN), Union of European Neonatal & Perinatal Societies (UENPS), European Foundation for the Care of Newborn Infants (EFCNI)ORGANIZING COMMITTEELuc Zimmer...

  11. Nuclear at Niagara. 32nd Annual Canadian Nuclear Society conference and 35th CNS/CNA student conference

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    NONE

    2011-07-01

    The 32nd Annual Canadian Nuclear Society Conference and 35th CNS/CNA Student Conference was held in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada on June 5-8, 2011. The theme of the conference, 'Nuclear at Niagara', brought together scientists, engineers, technologists, senior management, government officials, and students interested in all aspects of nuclear science and technology and its applications, including nuclear power generation, fuel production, uranium mining and refining, management of radioactive wastes and used fuel. Other topics include medical and industrial uses of radionuclides, occupational and environmental radiation protection, the science and technology of nuclear fusion, and associated activities in research and development. and applications of energy from the atom. The central objective of this conference was to exchange views on how nuclear science and technology can best serve the needs of humanity, now and in the future. Over 400 delegates from across Canada and other nuclear countries were in attendance.

  12. Hydrazinium lanthanide oxalates: synthesis, structure and thermal reactivity of N2H5[Ln2(C2O4)4(N2H5)]·4H2O, Ln = Ce, Nd.

    Science.gov (United States)

    De Almeida, Lucie; Grandjean, Stéphane; Rivenet, Murielle; Patisson, Fabrice; Abraham, Francis

    2014-03-28

    New hydrazinium lanthanide oxalates N2H5[Ln2(C2O4)4(N2H5)]·4H2O, Ln = Ce (Ce-HyOx) and Nd (Nd-HyOx), were synthesized by hydrothermal reaction at 150 °C between lanthanide nitrate, oxalic acid and hydrazine solutions. The structure of the Nd compound was determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data, space group P2₁/c with a = 16.315(4), b = 12.127(3), c = 11.430(2) Å, β = 116.638(4)°, V = 2021.4(7) Å(3), Z = 4, and R1 = 0.0313 for 4231 independent reflections. Two distinct neodymium polyhedra are formed, NdO9 and NdO8N, an oxygen of one monodentate oxalate in the former being replaced by a nitrogen atom of a coordinated hydrazinium ion in the latter. The infrared absorption band at 1005 cm(-1) confirms the coordination of N2H5(+) to the metal. These polyhedra are connected through μ2 and μ3 oxalate ions to form an anionic three-dimensional neodymium-oxalate arrangement. A non-coordinated charge-compensating hydrazinium ion occupies, with water molecules, the resulting tunnels. The N-N stretching frequencies of the infrared spectra demonstrate the existence of the two types of hydrazine ions. Thermal reactivity of these hydrazinium oxalates and of the mixed isotypic Ce/Nd (CeNd-HyOx) oxalate were studied by using thermogravimetric and differential thermal analyses coupled with gas analyzers, and high temperature X-ray diffraction. Under air, fine particles of CeO2 and Ce(0.5)Nd(0.5)O(1.75) are formed at low temperature from Ce-HyOx and CeNd-HyOx, respectively, thanks to a decomposition/oxidation process. Under argon flow, dioxymonocyanamides Ln2O2CN2 are formed.

  13. Nd3-xBixFe4GaO12 (x = 2, 2.5 films on glass substrates prepared by MOD method

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Yoshida T.

    2014-07-01

    Full Text Available We studied Nd3-XBiXFe4GaO12 films to obtain perpendicular magnetic anisotropy as well as large Faraday effect. NdBi2Fe4GaO12 (Bi2:NIGG and Nd0.5Bi2.5Fe4GaO12 (Bi2.5:NIGG films were obtained on Nd2BiFe4GaO12 (Bi1:NIGG layer prepared on glass substrates by metal-organic decomposition (MOD method. Bi2:NIGG and Bi2.5:NIGG films showed large Faraday rotation angles of 7.5 and 10.5 degree/µm, at a wavelength of 520 nm, respectively. Those films have perpendicular magnetic anisotropy with a coercivity of 350 Oe and a saturation magnetic field of 730 Oe.

  14. The effects of Nd2O3 concentration in the laser emission of TeO2-ZnO glasses

    Science.gov (United States)

    Moreira, L. M.; Anjos, V.; Bell, M. J. V.; Ramos, C. A. R.; Kassab, L. R. P.; Doualan, D. J. L.; Camy, P.; Moncorgé, R.

    2016-08-01

    The present work reports the modification introduced by different Nd2O3 concentration on optical properties and the laser operation of Nd3+ doped (TeO2-ZnO) bulk tellurite glass. The spectroscopic data are analyzed within the Judd Ofelt formalism framework and the results are compared to the fluorescence lifetime and emission measurements to derive values for the quantum efficiency and the stimulated emission cross section of the considered 4F3/2 → 4I11/2 infrared laser transition around 1062.5 nm. Continuous-wave laser action is achieved with this bulk tellurite glass by pumping the sample inside a standard plan-concave mirror laser cavity with different output couplers. It is possible to observe coherent emission only for the lower concentration (0.5%(wt.) of Nd2 O3). Also laser action could only be observed for this sample with threshold pump power of 73 mW associated with a laser slope efficiency of 8% for an output coupler transmission of 4% indicating that TeO2-ZnO are potential materials for laser action. The results presented in this work together with those previously reported with higher concentration (1.0% (wt) of Nd2O3) determine the adequate Nd2O3 concentration for laser action and guide the correct experimental procedure for TeO2-ZnO glasses preparation.

  15. Transportation Statistics Annual Report, 2017

    Science.gov (United States)

    2018-01-01

    The Transportation Statistics Annual Report describes the Nations transportation system, the systems performance, its contributions to the economy, and its effects on people and the environment. This 22nd edition of the report is based on infor...

  16. Phase equilibrium of the system Ag-Fe-Nd, and Nd extraction from magnet scraps using molten silver

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Takeda, O.; Okabe, T.H.; Umetsu, Y.

    2004-01-01

    To develop a new recycling process, we examined the direct extraction of neodymium (Nd) metal from Nd-Fe-B magnet scraps using molten silver (Ag) as an extraction medium. Prior to the extraction experiment, the phase equilibrium of the system Ag-Fe-Nd was investigated to estimate the theoretical extraction limit. It was observed that the Fe/Nd 2 Fe 17 mixture equilibrates with the molten Ag-Nd alloy containing 50-52 mol% Nd (57-59 mass% Nd) at 1363 K. The experimental results were in good agreement with the thermodynamic calculation based on literature values. By reacting Nd-Fe-B magnet scraps with molten silver at 1273 K, more than 90% of the neodymium in the scrap was extracted, and an Ag-Nd alloy containing 40-50 mass% Nd was obtained. The neodymium in the Ag-Nd alloy was separated from silver as Nd 2 O 3 by oxidizing the obtained alloy in air. Although the wettability of Nd 2 O 3 with molten silver caused some difficulties in the separation of neodymium from silver, molten silver is shown to be an effective medium for neodymium extraction from magnet scrap

  17. Fluctuation kinetics of fluorescence hopping quenching in the Nd3+:Y2O3 spherical nanoparticles

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Orlovskii, Yu.V.; Popov, A.V.; Platonov, V.V.; Fedorenko, S.G.; Sildos, I.; Osipov, V.V.

    2013-01-01

    We study the peculiarities of energy transfer kinetics from the 4 F 3/2 laser level in the Nd 3+ doped Y 2 O 3 spherical nanoparticles of monoclinic phase synthesized by laser ablation of solid targets with subsequent recondensation in flow of air at atmospheric pressure comparing to the similar bulk crystal. We show that the fluorescence quenching in the nanoparticles is determined by two processes depending on Nd 3+ concentration and the degree of dehydration. At concentrations less than 1% the fluorescence quenching is mainly determined by direct (static) quenching by vibrations of OH − molecular groups associated with oxygen vacancies. At concentrations greater than 1 at % quenching is due to energy migration over neodymium ions, followed by the Nd 3+ –OH − quenching. In the latter case, the first time in a solid-state impurity laser medium we observe non-stationary kinetics on the entire length of a time-dependent luminescence quenching, starting from static decay and ending with fluctuation kinetics of fluorescence hopping quenching. -- Highlights: ► We prepare monoclinic Nd 3+ :Y 2 O 3 spherical NPs of mean D=12 nm by laser ablation of solid targets. ► We detect the fluorescence quenching of Nd 3+ the 4 F 3/2 level by vibrations of OH – molecular groups. ► We find that at 0.1% of Nd 3+ the process of static quenching by vibrations of OH – dominates. ► We find that Nd 3+ –Nd 3+ energy migration accelerates the Nd 3+ –OH − quenching at 1% of Nd 3+ . ► We detect non-stationary quenching kinetics ending with fluctuation stage of hopping quenching

  18. Microstructure and Magnetic Properties of NdFeB Films through Nd Surface Diffusion Process

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Wenfeng Liu

    2017-01-01

    Full Text Available Ta/Nd/NdFeB/Nd/Ta films were deposited by magnetron sputtering on Si (100 substrates and subsequently annealed for 30 min at 923 K in vacuum. It was found that the microstructure and magnetic properties of Ta/Nd/NdFeB/Nd/Ta films strongly depend on the NdFeB layer thickness. With NdFeB layer thickness increasing, both the grain size and the strain firstly reduce and then increase. When NdFeB layer thickness is 750 nm, the strain reaches the minimum value. Meanwhile, both the in-plane and perpendicular coercivities firstly drastically increase and then slowly decrease with NdFeB layer thickness increasing. The highest in-plane and perpendicular coercivities can be obtained at NdFeB layer thickness of 750 nm, which are 21.2 kOe and 19.5 kOe, respectively. In addition, the high remanence ratio (remanent magnetization/saturation magnetization of 0.87 can also be achieved in Ta/Nd/NdFeB (750 nm/Nd/Ta film.

  19. Hydrazinium lanthanide oxalates: synthesis, structure and thermal reactivity of N_2H_5[Ln_2(C_2O_4)_4(N_2H_5)].4H_2O, Ln = Ce, Nd

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    De Almeida, Lucie; Grandjean, Stephane; Abraham, Francis; Rivenet, Murielle; Patisson, Fabrice

    2014-01-01

    New hydrazinium lanthanide oxalates N_2H_5[Ln_2(C_2O_4)_4(N_2H_5)].4H_2O, Ln = Ce (Ce-H_yO_x) and Nd (Nd- H_yO_x), were synthesized by hydrothermal reaction at 150 C between lanthanide nitrate, oxalic acid and hydrazine solutions. The structure of the Nd compound was determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data, space group P2_1/c with a = 16.315(4), b = 12.127(3), c = 11.430(2) Angstroms, β = 116.638(4) degrees, V = 2021.4(7) Angstroems"3, Z = 4, and R1 = 0.0313 for 4231 independent reflections. Two distinct neodymium polyhedra are formed, NdO_9 and NdO_8N, an oxygen of one monodentate oxalate in the former being replaced by a nitrogen atom of a coordinated hydrazinium ion in the latter. The infrared absorption band at 1005 cm"-"1 confirms the coordination of N_2H_5"+ to the metal. These polyhedra are connected through μ"2 and μ"3 oxalate ions to form an anionic three-dimensional neodymium-oxalate arrangement. A non-coordinated charge-compensating hydrazinium ion occupies, with water molecules, the resulting tunnels. The N-N stretching frequencies of the infrared spectra demonstrate the existence of the two types of hydrazine ions. Thermal reactivity of these hydrazinium oxalates and of the mixed isotypic Ce/Nd (CeNd-H_yO_x) oxalate were studied by using thermogravimetric and differential thermal analyses coupled with gas analyzers, and high temperature X-ray diffraction. Under air, fine particles of CeO_2 and Ce_0_._5Nd_0_._5O_1_._7_5 are formed at low temperature from Ce-H_yO_x and CeNd-H_yO_x, respectively, thanks to a decomposition/oxidation process. Under argon flow, dioxy-mono-cyanamides Ln_2O_2CN_2 are formed. (authors)

  20. 2nd Annual DOE-ERSP PI Meeting: Abstracts

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Hazen, Terry C.

    2007-03-14

    Welcome to the annual 2007 Environmental Remediation Sciences Program (ERSP) Principal Investigators (PIs) meeting. The purpose of this meeting is to bring together all of the lead PIs and key Co-PIs in the program to share and review the results of funded research from the past year. This meeting allows program managers from the Environmental Remediation Sciences Division (ERSD) within the Office of Biological and Environmental Research (OBER) to gauge the progress and significance of the funded research, and it is also an important venue to showcase ERSP research to interested parties within DOE and other invited federal agency representatives. Additionally, these meetings should serve as an opportunity for funded PIs to view their research in the context of the entire ERSP portfolio. Past ERSP meetings have been very important venues for detailed discussion of research results among PIs, development of new research ideas, fostering new collaborations and discussion with ERSD program managers on future research efforts and/or initiatives within the program. In short, these meetings are an important resource for both program managers and PIs. There will be only one ERSP PI meeting for 2007. In years past, ERSD has sponsored two PI meetings, one in the spring and a separate meeting in the fall that focused primarily on field research. However, this format tends to insulate laboratory-based research from the field research sponsored in the program and is incompatible with the ERSD view that laboratory-based research should progress towards understanding the relevant processes in natural environments at the field scale. Therefore the agenda for this year's PI meeting is well integrated with both lab-based and field-based projects, to allow for detailed discussion between PIs involved in each area. In the agenda, you will notice a more relaxed format than in years past. This year's meeting spans four days, but is less heavily regimented in terms of oral

  1. 2nd Generation alkaline electrolysis. Final report

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Yde, L. [Aarhus Univ. Business and Social Science - Centre for Energy Technologies (CET), Aarhus (Denmark); Kjartansdottir, C.K. [Technical Univ. of Denmark. DTU Mechanical Engineering, Kgs. Lyngby (Denmark); Allebrod, F. [Technical Univ. of Denmark. DTU Energy Conversion, DTU Risoe Campus, Roskilde (Denmark)] [and others

    2013-03-15

    The overall purpose of this project has been to contribute to this load management by developing a 2{sup nd} generation of alkaline electrolysis system characterized by being compact, reliable, inexpensive and energy efficient. The specific targets for the project have been to: 1) Increase cell efficiency to more than 88% (according to the higher heating value (HHV)) at a current density of 200 mA /cm{sup 2}; 2) Increase operation temperature to more than 100 degree Celsius to make the cooling energy more valuable; 3) Obtain an operation pressure more than 30 bar hereby minimizing the need for further compression of hydrogen for storage; 4) Improve stack architecture decreasing the price of the stack with at least 50%; 5) Develop a modular design making it easy to customize plants in the size from 20 to 200 kW; 6) Demonstrating a 20 kW 2{sup nd} generation stack in H2College at the campus of Arhus University in Herning. The project has included research and development on three different technology tracks of electrodes; an electrochemical plating, an atmospheric plasma spray (APS) and finally a high temperature and pressure (HTP) track with operating temperature around 250 deg. C and pressure around 40 bar. The results show that all three electrode tracks have reached high energy efficiencies. In the electrochemical plating track a stack efficiency of 86.5% at a current density of 177mA/cm{sup 2} and a temperature of 74.4 deg. C has been shown. The APS track showed cell efficiencies of 97%, however, coatings for the anode side still need to be developed. The HTP cell has reached 100 % electric efficiency operating at 1.5 V (the thermoneutral voltage) with a current density of 1. 1 A/cm{sup 2}. This track only tested small cells in an externally heated laboratory set-up, and thus the thermal loss to surroundings cannot be given. The goal set for the 2{sup nd} generation electrolyser system, has been to generate 30 bar pressure in the cell stack. An obstacle to be

  2. Structural refinement of Nd[Fe(CN)6].4H2O and study of NdFeO3 obtained by its oxidative thermal decomposition at very low temperatures

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Navarro, M. Carolina; Pannunzio-Miner, Elisa V.; Pagola, Silvina; Gomez, M. Ines; Carbonio, Raul E.

    2005-01-01

    The crystal structure of Nd[Fe(CN) 6 ].4H 2 O has been refined by Rietveld analysis using high resolution synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction data. It belonged to the orthorhombic crystal system, Cmcm space group, with cell parameters: a=7.473952(1)A, b=12.919104(2)A and c=13.800549(2)A. The change in space group from P6 3 /m which is observed in the pentahydrates (LnFe(CN) 6 .5H 2 O) to Cmcm in the tetrahydrates has been analyzed to be a consequence of the change in 9-fold coordination of Nd 3+ in the pentahydrates to 8-fold coordination in the tetrahydrates, which changes the Nd 3+ environment from tricapped trigonal prism to a distorted tricapped trigonal prism or square antiprism. Its decomposition process in air to produce NdFeO 3 has been followed by thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis, IR spectroscopy and laboratory powder XRD. We found that it is possible to synthesize crystalline NdFeO 3 at temperatures as low as 380 o C and refine the structure of single phase crystalline NdFeO 3 synthesized by this method at 600 deg. C

  3. Relation between Nd2Fe14B grain alignment and coercive force decrease ratio in NdFeB sintered magnets

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Matsuura, Yutaka; Hoshijima, Jun; Ishii, Rintaro

    2013-01-01

    It was found that the coercive force of NdFeB sintered magnets decreases as the Nd 2 Fe 14 B grain alignment improves. Because of this phenomenon, studies looked at the relation between this alignment and the coercive force decrease ratio. In experiments, it was expected that the coercive force of perfectly aligned magnet reached 0.7 of coercive force in istotropically aligned magnet. When it is postulated that the coercive force is determined by the Stoner–Wohlfarth model, coercive force increases as the alignment improves and it becomes difficult to explain our experimental data. On the other hand, when the coercive force is determined by magnetic domain wall motion, the coercive force decreases as the alignment improves and the coercive force of the perfectly aligned magnet reaches 1/√(2) of the isotropically aligned magnet. This tendency and value was very close to our data. It strongly suggests that the coercive force of NdFeB sintered magnets is determined by the domain wall motion. - Highlights: ► Coercive force of NdFeB sintered magnets decreases as grains alignment improves. ► Coercive force decrease ratio reaches −30% at the perfect aligned magnet. ►These experimental results are different from the Stoner–Wohlfarth model. ► The magnetic domain wall motion could explain this coercive force decrease ratio

  4. Biodiversity of the Arabian Sea

    Digital Repository Service at National Institute of Oceanography (India)

    Parulekar, A.H.

    stream_size 2 stream_content_type text/plain stream_name Biodiversity_Western_Ghats_Inf_Kit_1994_3.1_1.pdf.txt stream_source_info Biodiversity_Western_Ghats_Inf_Kit_1994_3.1_1.pdf.txt Content-Encoding ISO-8859-1 Content-Type text...

  5. Crystal-field energy level analysis for Nd3+ ions at the low symmetry C1 site in [Nd(hfa)4(H2O)](N(C2H5)4) single crystals

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Mech, Agnieszka; Gajek, Zbigniew; Karbowiak, Miroslaw; Rudowicz, Czeslaw

    2008-01-01

    Optical absorption measurements of Nd 3+ ions in single crystals of [Nd(hfa) 4 (H 2 O)](N(C 2 H 5 ) 4 ) (hfa = hexafluoroacetyloacetonate), denoted Nd(hfa) for short, have been carried out at 4.2 and 298 K. This compound crystallizes in the monoclinic system (space group P 2 1 /n). Each Nd ion is coordinated to eight oxygen atoms that originate from the hexafluoroacetylacetonate ligands and one oxygen atom from the water molecule. A total of 85 experimental crystal-field (CF) energy levels arising from the Nd 3+ (4f 3 ) electronic configuration were identified in the optical spectra and assigned. A three-step CF analysis was carried out in terms of a parametric Hamiltonian for the actual C 1 symmetry at the Nd 3+ ion sites. In the first step, a total of 27 CF parameters (CFPs) in the Wybourne notation B kq , admissible by group theory, were determined in a preliminary fitting constrained by the angular overlap model predictions. The resulting CFP set was reduced to 24 specific independent CFPs using appropriate standardization transformations. Optimizations of the second-rank CFPs and extended scanning of the parameter space were employed in the second step to improve reliability of the CFP sets, which is rather a difficult task in the case of no site symmetry. Finally, seven free-ion parameters and 24 CFPs were freely varied, yielding an rms deviation between the calculated energy levels and the 85 observed ones of 11.1 cm -1 . Our approach also allows prediction of the energy levels of Nd 3+ ions that are hidden in the spectral range overlapping with strong ligand absorption, which is essential for understanding the inter-ionic energy transfer. The orientation of the axis system associated with the fitted CF parameters w.r.t. the crystallographic axes is established. The procedure adopted in our calculations may be considered as a general framework for analysis of CF levels of lanthanide ions at low (triclinic) symmetry sites

  6. Crystal-field energy level analysis for Nd(3+) ions at the low symmetry C(1) site in [Nd(hfa)(4)(H(2)O)](N(C(2)H(5))(4)) single crystals.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Mech, Agnieszka; Gajek, Zbigniew; Karbowiak, Mirosław; Rudowicz, Czesław

    2008-09-24

    Optical absorption measurements of Nd(3+) ions in single crystals of [Nd(hfa)(4)(H(2)O)](N(C(2)H(5))(4)) (hfa = hexafluoroacetyloacetonate), denoted Nd(hfa) for short, have been carried out at 4.2 and 298 K. This compound crystallizes in the monoclinic system (space group P 2(1)/n). Each Nd ion is coordinated to eight oxygen atoms that originate from the hexafluoroacetylacetonate ligands and one oxygen atom from the water molecule. A total of 85 experimental crystal-field (CF) energy levels arising from the Nd(3+) (4f(3)) electronic configuration were identified in the optical spectra and assigned. A three-step CF analysis was carried out in terms of a parametric Hamiltonian for the actual C(1) symmetry at the Nd(3+) ion sites. In the first step, a total of 27 CF parameters (CFPs) in the Wybourne notation B(kq), admissible by group theory, were determined in a preliminary fitting constrained by the angular overlap model predictions. The resulting CFP set was reduced to 24 specific independent CFPs using appropriate standardization transformations. Optimizations of the second-rank CFPs and extended scanning of the parameter space were employed in the second step to improve reliability of the CFP sets, which is rather a difficult task in the case of no site symmetry. Finally, seven free-ion parameters and 24 CFPs were freely varied, yielding an rms deviation between the calculated energy levels and the 85 observed ones of 11.1 cm(-1). Our approach also allows prediction of the energy levels of Nd(3+) ions that are hidden in the spectral range overlapping with strong ligand absorption, which is essential for understanding the inter-ionic energy transfer. The orientation of the axis system associated with the fitted CF parameters w.r.t. the crystallographic axes is established. The procedure adopted in our calculations may be considered as a general framework for analysis of CF levels of lanthanide ions at low (triclinic) symmetry sites.

  7. Four-wave-mixing and nonlinear cavity dumping of 280 picosecond 2nd Stokes pulse at 1.3 μm from Nd:SrMoO4 self-Raman laser

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Smetanin, S N; Ivleva, L I; Jelínek, M Jr; Kubeček, V; Jelínková, H; Shurygin, A S

    2016-01-01

    The 280 picosecond 2nd Stokes Raman pulses at 1.3 μm were generated directly from the miniature diode-pumped Nd:SrMoO 4 self-Raman laser. Using the 90° phase matching insensitive to the angular mismatch, the self-Raman laser allowed for the achievement of the four-wave-mixing generation of the 2nd Stokes Raman pulse directly in the active Nd:SrMoO 4 crystal at stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) self-conversion of the laser radiation. The passive Cr:YAG Q-switching and nonlinear cavity dumping was used without any phase locking device. (letter)

  8. Feature interpretability and the positions of 2nd person possessives in Brazilian Portuguese

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Bruna Karla Pereira

    2016-12-01

    Full Text Available Interpretability and valuation of φ-features (Chomsky, 2001; Pesetsky and Torrego, 2007 have played a central role in the investigation of language universals. With regard to that, in standard Brazilian Portuguese (BP, as well as in other Romance languages, possessives have uninterpretable number features, which are valued via nominal agreement. However, dialects of BP, especially the one spoken in Minas Gerais, have shown that 2nd person possessives, in postnominal position, do not have number agreement with the noun. In order to account for these facts, I will argue that, in this grammar, number features on 2nd person possessives are reanalyzed as being: (i associated with the person (rather than the noun and (ii interpretable. From the first postulation, ‘seu’ is expected to be the possessive for 2nd person singular, and ‘seus’ for 2nd person plural. From the second postulation, no number concord is expected to be triggered on the possessive. In addition, based on Danon (2011 and Norris (2014, I will argue that cardinals divide BP DPs into two domains in that phrases located above NumP are marked with the plural morpheme, while phrases below it are unmarked. In this sense, because prenominal possessives precede cardinals (NumP, they must be marked with the plural morpheme for nominal agreement; whereas postnominal possessives, which follow NumP, must be unmarked. Free from the plural marking associated with nominal agreement, postnominal 2nd person possessives favor the reanalysis of the morpheme ‘-s’ as indicating the number associated with person features.

  9. Selected Abstracts of the 2nd Congress of joint European Neonatal Societies (jENS 2017); Venice (Italy); October 31-November 4, 2017; Session "Neonatal Fetal Nutrition and Metabolism"

    OpenAIRE

    --- Various Authors

    2017-01-01

    Selected Abstracts of the 2nd Congress of joint European Neonatal Societies (jENS 2017); Venice (Italy); October 31-November 4, 201758th ESPR Annual Meeting, 7th International Congress of UENPS, 3rd International Congress of EFCNIORGANIZING INSTITUTIONSEuropean Society for Paediatric Research (ESPR), European Society for Neonatology (ESN), Union of European Neonatal & Perinatal Societies (UENPS), European Foundation for the Care of Newborn Infants (EFCNI)ORGANIZING COMMITTEELuc Zimmer...

  10. Selected Abstracts of the 2nd Congress of joint European Neonatal Societies (jENS 2017); Venice (Italy); October 31-November 4, 2017; Session "Quality Improvement, Parents Centered Care"

    OpenAIRE

    --- Various Authors

    2017-01-01

    Selected Abstracts of the 2nd Congress of joint European Neonatal Societies (jENS 2017); Venice (Italy); October 31-November 4, 201758th ESPR Annual Meeting, 7th International Congress of UENPS, 3rd International Congress of EFCNIORGANIZING INSTITUTIONSEuropean Society for Paediatric Research (ESPR), European Society for Neonatology (ESN), Union of European Neonatal & Perinatal Societies (UENPS), European Foundation for the Care of Newborn Infants (EFCNI)ORGANIZING COMMITTEELuc Zi...

  11. Synthesis of Nd3+doped TiO2 nanoparticles and Its Optical Behaviour

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Ezhil Arasi S.

    2017-04-01

    Full Text Available Pure and Rare earth ion doped TiO2 nanoparticles were synthesized by Sol-gel method. The synthesized TiO2 nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, UV–Vis spectroscopy and photoluminescence emission spectra. From the UV-visible measurement, the absorption edge of Nd3+-TiO2 was shifted to a higher wavelength side with decreasing band gap. Photoluminescence emission studies reveal the energy transfer mechanism of Nd3+ doped TiO2 nanoparticles explain.

  12. Consequences of tropical land use for multitrophic biodiversity and ecosystem functioning.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Barnes, Andrew D; Jochum, Malte; Mumme, Steffen; Haneda, Noor Farikhah; Farajallah, Achmad; Widarto, Tri Heru; Brose, Ulrich

    2014-10-28

    Our knowledge about land-use impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning is mostly limited to single trophic levels, leaving us uncertain about whole-community biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationships. We analyse consequences of the globally important land-use transformation from tropical forests to oil palm plantations. Species diversity, density and biomass of invertebrate communities suffer at least 45% decreases from rainforest to oil palm. Combining metabolic and food-web theory, we calculate annual energy fluxes to model impacts of land-use intensification on multitrophic ecosystem functioning. We demonstrate a 51% reduction in energy fluxes from forest to oil palm communities. Species loss clearly explains variation in energy fluxes; however, this relationship depends on land-use systems and functional feeding guilds, whereby predators are the most heavily affected. Biodiversity decline from forest to oil palm is thus accompanied by even stronger reductions in functionality, threatening to severely limit the functional resilience of communities to cope with future global changes.

  13. Co-occurrence of linguistic and biological diversity in biodiversity hotspots and high biodiversity wilderness areas.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Gorenflo, L J; Romaine, Suzanne; Mittermeier, Russell A; Walker-Painemilla, Kristen

    2012-05-22

    As the world grows less biologically diverse, it is becoming less linguistically and culturally diverse as well. Biologists estimate annual loss of species at 1,000 times or more greater than historic rates, and linguists predict that 50-90% of the world's languages will disappear by the end of this century. Prior studies indicate similarities in the geographic arrangement of biological and linguistic diversity, although conclusions have often been constrained by use of data with limited spatial precision. Here we use greatly improved datasets to explore the co-occurrence of linguistic and biological diversity in regions containing many of the Earth's remaining species: biodiversity hotspots and high biodiversity wilderness areas. Results indicate that these regions often contain considerable linguistic diversity, accounting for 70% of all languages on Earth. Moreover, the languages involved are frequently unique (endemic) to particular regions, with many facing extinction. Likely reasons for co-occurrence of linguistic and biological diversity are complex and appear to vary among localities, although strong geographic concordance between biological and linguistic diversity in many areas argues for some form of functional connection. Languages in high biodiversity regions also often co-occur with one or more specific conservation priorities, here defined as endangered species and protected areas, marking particular localities important for maintaining both forms of diversity. The results reported in this article provide a starting point for focused research exploring the relationship between biological and linguistic-cultural diversity, and for developing integrated strategies designed to conserve species and languages in regions rich in both.

  14. Proceedings of the 2nd Symposium on Laser Spectroscopy

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    1994-11-01

    This proceedings contains articles of the 2nd Symposium on Laser Spectroscopy. It was held on Nov 3-4, 1994 in Taejeon, Korea. The main topics are as follows: Laser Isotope, Laser Spectroscopy, Laser Fusion, Laser Applications and so on. (Yi, J. H.)

  15. Magnetic excitations of Nd in Nd{sub 2-x}Ce{sub x}CuO{sub 4} (x=0,0.09,0.13)

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Henggeler, W.; Furrer, A. [Paul Scherrer Inst. (PSI), Villigen (Switzerland); Chattopadyay, T.; Roessli, B. [Institut Max von Laue - Paul Langevin, 75 - Paris (France); Vorderwisch, P. [Hahn-Meitner-Institut Berlin GmbH (Germany); Thalmeier, P. [MPI Dresden (Germany)

    1997-09-01

    We have studied the wave vector dependence of the magnetic excitation spectrum of Nd in Nd{sub 2-x}Ce{sub x}CuO{sub 4} (x=0,0.09,0.13) by inelastic neutron scattering experiments on single crystals. The results are analyzed with the help of model calculations which are performed in the context of the mean field random-phase approximation. This enables us to obtain direct information on the coupling constants between the rare earth ions. (author) 1 fig., 2 refs.

  16. Magnetic properties of ND Rich Melt-Spun ND-FE-B alloy

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Grujić Aleksandar

    2005-01-01

    Full Text Available As a part of these experimental investigations of melt-spun Nd-Fe-B alloy with Nd rich content in relation to Nd2Fe14B prepared by rapid quenching process for optimally selected cooling rate and heat treatment, the influence of the chosen chemical composition on magnetic properties was observed. The results of X-ray diffraction, Mössbauer spectroscopy phase analysis and magnetic measurement of investigated melt-spun Nd14.5Fe78.5B7 alloy are presented to bring some new information concerning the relation between their structure and magnetic properties.

  17. Reconstructing the Nd oceanic cycle using a coupled dynamical – biogeochemical model

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    T. Arsouze

    2009-12-01

    Nd concentrations in the deep Pacific Ocean may reveal an underestimation of the particle fields by the biogeochemical model. Our results indicate 1 vertical cycling (scavenging/remineralisation is absolutely necessary to simulate both concentration and εNd, and 2 BE is the dominant Nd source to the ocean. The estimated BE flux (1.1×1010 g(Nd/yr is much higher than both dissolved river discharge (2.6×108 g(Nd/yr and atmospheric inputs (1.0×108 g(Nd/yr that both play negligible role in the water column but are necessary to reconcile Nd IC in surface and subsurface waters. This leads to a new calculated residence time of 360 yrs for Nd in the ocean. The BE flux requires the dissolution of 3 to 5% of the annual flux of continental weathering deposited via the solid river discharge to the continental margin.

  18. Teaching Biodiversity

    Indian Academy of Sciences (India)

    Author Affiliations. Madhav Gadgil1 2. Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560 012, India. Biodiversity Unit, Jowaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Jakkur P.O. Jakkur, Bangalore 560064, India ...

  19. Development of a Hydrologic Characterization Technology for Fault Zones Phase II 2nd Report

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Karasaki, Kenzi [Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States); Doughty, Christine [Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States); Gasperikova, Erika [Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States); Peterson, John [Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States); Conrad, Mark [Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States); Cook, Paul [Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States); Tiemi, Onishi [Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)

    2011-03-31

    This is the 2nd report on the three-year program of the 2nd phase of the NUMO-LBNL collaborative project: Development of Hydrologic Characterization Technology for Fault Zones under NUMO-DOE/LBNL collaboration agreement. As such, this report is a compendium of the results by Kiho et al. (2011) and those by LBNL.

  20. Interactive Effects of Nitrogen and Climate Change on Biodiversity

    Science.gov (United States)

    Porter, E. M.; Bowman, W. D.; Clark, C. M.; Compton, J. E.; Pardo, L. H.; Soong, J.

    2011-12-01

    example, in certain arid ecosystems of southern California, elevated nitrogen has promoted invasions of annual non-native grasses. At the same time, a period of above-normal precipitation years has exacerbated the grass invasions. Increased grass cover has altered the hydrologic cycle of these areas and increased fire risk, ultimately leading to conversion of the ecosystem from diverse shrublands to less diverse grasslands. In addition to empirical studies, modeling can be used to simulate climate change and nitrogen interactions. The ForSAFE-VEG model, for example, has been used to examine climate change and nitrogen interactions in Rocky Mountain alpine vegetation communities. Results from both empirical studies and modeling indicate that nitrogen and climate change interact to drive losses in biodiversity greater than those caused by either stressor alone. Reducing inputs of anthropogenic reactive nitrogen may be an effective mitigation strategy for protecting biodiversity in the face of climate change.

  1. Nd Fe{sub 10} Mo{sub 2} alloys production through reduction-diffusion for nitrogenation; Obtencao de ligas NdFe{sub 10}Mo{sub 2} por reducao-difusao para posterior nitrogenacao

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Guilherme, Eneida da G. [Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares (IPEN), Sao Paulo, SP (Brazil); Rechenberg, Hercilio R. [Sao Paulo Univ., SP (Brazil). Inst. de Fisica

    1996-12-31

    In this work we have examined the effect of various processing variables on the Nd Fe{sub 10} Mo{sub 2} phase formation by reduction-diffusion calciothermic process (R D C). The best results were obtained for 4 hours treatment at 950 deg C with 40% excess content Nd Cl{sub 3} and 50% excess content of Ca, for alloy Nd Fe{sub 10.5} Mo{sub 1.5}. Preliminary nitrogen absorption experiments have been done, without any further powder size reduction at temperatures between 300 and 350 deg C. (author) 9 refs., 6 figs., 1 tab.

  2. Business and biodiversity

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Andersen, Rasmus Meyer; Lehmann, Martin; Christensen, Per

    Despite the overall importance of biodiversity, the quality measures of biodiversity show worrying figures. Numerous human impacts on nature impose serious hazard to its inherent diversity. This expansion of human activities leaves the battle against loss of biodiversity to be a great challenge......, but the effort has until now considered biodiversity actions relatively little, compared to other areas such as e.g. climate related actions. Nevertheless, the opportunity for businesses to meet their responsibilities and lift a share of the challenge is far from being just a romantic thought. Nor...... is the challenge of engaging businesses in responsible actions. The core challenge is to create awareness of the environmental phenomenon biodiversity, inform about the significance of business involvement, and encourage the business world to participate in this process of protecting biodiversity as the valuable...

  3. Homogeneity of peraluminous SiO2-B2O3-Al2O3-Na2O-CaO-Nd2O3 glasses: Effect of neodymium content

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Gasnier, E.; Bardez-Giboire, I.; Massoni, N.; Montouillout, V.; Pellerin, N.; Allix, M.; Ory, S.; Cabie, M.; Poissonnet, S.; Massiot, D.

    2014-01-01

    Considering the interest of developing new glass matrices able to immobilize higher concentration of high level nuclear wastes than currently used nuclear borosilicate compositions, glasses containing high rare earth contents are of particular interest. This study focuses on a peraluminous alumino borosilicate system SiO 2 -B 2 O 3 -Al 2 O 3 -Na 2 O-CaO-Nd 2 O 3 defined by a per-alkaline/peraluminous ratio RP = ([Na 2 O] + [CaO])/ ([Na 2 O] + [CaO] + [Al 2 O 3 ]) ≤ 0.5. Samples with various contents of Nd 2 O 3 from 0 to 10 mol% were studied using DSC, XRD, SEM, TEM, STEM and EMPA methods. The glasses present a high thermal stability even after a slow cooling treatment from the melt. Only a slight mullite crystallization is detected for low Nd 2 O 3 content (≤2.3 mol%) and crystallization of a neodymium borosilicate crystalline phase combined to a phase separation occurred at high Nd 2 O 3 content (≥8 mol%). The solubility of neodymium in the presence of aluminum is demonstrated, with higher neodymium incorporation amounts than in per-alkaline glasses. (authors)

  4. Climatic and topographical correlates of plant palaeo- and neoendemism in a Mediterranean biodiversity hotspot.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Molina-Venegas, Rafael; Aparicio, Abelardo; Lavergne, Sébastien; Arroyo, Juan

    2017-01-01

    Understanding the evolutionary and ecological forces contributing to the emergence of biodiversity hotspots is of outstanding importance to elucidate how they may withstand current climate changes. Here we explored patterns of phylogenetic and non-phylogenetic plant endemism in a Mediterranean biodiversity hotspot. We hypothesized that areas with wet and equable climatic conditions would be prone to long-term persistence of endemic lineages (palaeoendemism), whilst areas of recent local speciation (neoendemism) would be more related to harsher environmental conditions and to high topographical relief promoting speciation. We focused on the Baetic-Rifan biodiversity hotspot (southern Iberian Peninsula and northern Morocco) in combination with molecular phylogenetic information and relative phylogenetic endemism (RPE), a recent phylogenetic measure of endemism, allowing us to discern centres of palaeo- from those of neoendemism. Using eco-geographical regions as study units, we explored correlations between both RPE and endemic species richness with precipitation- and temperature-related variables and with elevation range. Centres of neoendemism were concentrated towards the easternmost part of the hotspot, while centres of palaeoendemism were clustered in the vicinity of the Strait of Gibraltar. The RPE index, indicating more palaeoendemism, was positively correlated with total annual precipitation, while endemic species richness showed a poor correlation. In contrast, elevation range and mean annual temperature were poor predictors of RPE, despite elevation range showing a strong correlation with endemic species richness. The Baetic-Rifan biodiversity hotspot shows clearly differentiated centres of neo- and palaeoendemism. Topographical relief may have driven evolutionary diversification of newly evolved species, while water availability seems more critical for the long-term persistence of ancient lineages in refuge areas of smoother topography. Given climatic

  5. Climatic and topographical correlates of plant palaeo- and neoendemism in a Mediterranean biodiversity hotspot

    Science.gov (United States)

    Molina-Venegas, Rafael; Aparicio, Abelardo; Lavergne, Sébastien; Arroyo, Juan

    2017-01-01

    Background and Aims Understanding the evolutionary and ecological forces contributing to the emergence of biodiversity hotspots is of outstanding importance to elucidate how they may withstand current climate changes. Here we explored patterns of phylogenetic and non-phylogenetic plant endemism in a Mediterranean biodiversity hotspot. We hypothesized that areas with wet and equable climatic conditions would be prone to long-term persistence of endemic lineages (palaeoendemism), whilst areas of recent local speciation (neoendemism) would be more related to harsher environmental conditions and to high topographical relief promoting speciation. Methods We focused on the Baetic–Rifan biodiversity hotspot (southern Iberian Peninsula and northern Morocco) in combination with molecular phylogenetic information and relative phylogenetic endemism (RPE), a recent phylogenetic measure of endemism, allowing us to discern centres of palaeo- from those of neoendemism. Using eco-geographical regions as study units, we explored correlations between both RPE and endemic species richness with precipitation- and temperature-related variables and with elevation range. Key Results Centres of neoendemism were concentrated towards the easternmost part of the hotspot, while centres of palaeoendemism were clustered in the vicinity of the Strait of Gibraltar. The RPE index, indicating more palaeoendemism, was positively correlated with total annual precipitation, while endemic species richness showed a poor correlation. In contrast, elevation range and mean annual temperature were poor predictors of RPE, despite elevation range showing a strong correlation with endemic species richness. Conclusions The Baetic–Rifan biodiversity hotspot shows clearly differentiated centres of neo- and palaeoendemism. Topographical relief may have driven evolutionary diversification of newly evolved species, while water availability seems more critical for the long-term persistence of ancient lineages in

  6. Case Study Application of the Biodiversity Security Index to Ranking Feasibility Studies for Ecosystem Restoration Projects of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

    Science.gov (United States)

    2016-04-01

    ER D C/ EL C R- 16 -1 Ecosystem Management and Restoration Research Program Case Study Application of the Biodiversity Security Index... Biodiversity Security Index to Ranking Feasibility Studies for Ecosystem Restoration Projects of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Richard A. Cole... Biodiversity Security Index (BSI) was applied to 23 project sites ranked for restoration feasibility study annual funding by the U. S. Army Corps of

  7. Crystal-field energy level analysis for Nd3+ ions at the low symmetry C1 site in [Nd(hfa)4(H2O)](N(C2H5)4) single crystals

    Science.gov (United States)

    Mech, Agnieszka; Gajek, Zbigniew; Karbowiak, Mirosław; Rudowicz, Czesław

    2008-09-01

    Optical absorption measurements of Nd3+ ions in single crystals of [Nd(hfa)4(H2O)](N(C2H5)4) (hfa = hexafluoroacetyloacetonate), denoted Nd(hfa) for short, have been carried out at 4.2 and 298 K. This compound crystallizes in the monoclinic system (space group P 21/n). Each Nd ion is coordinated to eight oxygen atoms that originate from the hexafluoroacetylacetonate ligands and one oxygen atom from the water molecule. A total of 85 experimental crystal-field (CF) energy levels arising from the Nd3+ (4f3) electronic configuration were identified in the optical spectra and assigned. A three-step CF analysis was carried out in terms of a parametric Hamiltonian for the actual C1 symmetry at the Nd3+ ion sites. In the first step, a total of 27 CF parameters (CFPs) in the Wybourne notation Bkq, admissible by group theory, were determined in a preliminary fitting constrained by the angular overlap model predictions. The resulting CFP set was reduced to 24 specific independent CFPs using appropriate standardization transformations. Optimizations of the second-rank CFPs and extended scanning of the parameter space were employed in the second step to improve reliability of the CFP sets, which is rather a difficult task in the case of no site symmetry. Finally, seven free-ion parameters and 24 CFPs were freely varied, yielding an rms deviation between the calculated energy levels and the 85 observed ones of 11.1 cm-1. Our approach also allows prediction of the energy levels of Nd3+ ions that are hidden in the spectral range overlapping with strong ligand absorption, which is essential for understanding the inter-ionic energy transfer. The orientation of the axis system associated with the fitted CF parameters w.r.t. the crystallographic axes is established. The procedure adopted in our calculations may be considered as a general framework for analysis of CF levels of lanthanide ions at low (triclinic) symmetry sites.

  8. Selected Abstracts of the 2nd Congress of joint European Neonatal Societies (jENS 2017); Venice (Italy); October 31-November 4, 2017; Session "Neonatal Pulmonology, Neonatal Respiratory Support, Resuscitation"

    OpenAIRE

    --- Various Authors

    2017-01-01

    Selected Abstracts of the 2nd Congress of joint European Neonatal Societies (jENS 2017); Venice (Italy); October 31-November 4, 201758th ESPR Annual Meeting, 7th International Congress of UENPS, 3rd International Congress of EFCNIORGANIZING INSTITUTIONSEuropean Society for Paediatric Research (ESPR), European Society for Neonatology (ESN), Union of European Neonatal & Perinatal Societies (UENPS), European Foundation for the Care of Newborn Infants (EFCNI)ORGANIZING COMMITTEELuc Zimmermann...

  9. Modeling Dexterity Development in 2nd-4th-grade Boys by Means of Active Games

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    C. Марченко

    2017-06-01

    Full Text Available The objective is to optimize the mode of using game for dexterity development in the 2nd-4th-grade boys. Materials & methods: to conduct the experiment, there were eight test groups (n=48 formed in each class. The total number of such test groups was 24. The research relied on the following methods: theoretical analysis and collation of scientific and methodological literature; pedagogical testing; methods of mathematical experiment planning (complete factorial experiment 23; modeling method. Results: the research has determined that to develop dexterity, the 2nd-4th-grade boys need to participate in up to five games. The number of repetitions for the 2nd-3rd-graders is two, and for the 4th-graders – three, with 30–40-second rest intervals. The 2nd-4th-grade boys showed effective development during 40 classes, and the 3rd-grade boys – during 20 classes. After that, we recommend to use other means. The game duration varies from one to two minutes. Conclusions: the analysis of the scientific and methodological literature has revealed that the level of motor readiness, dexterity being one of its main components, largely determines the state of children’s physical and mental health. The research has found that the natural development of coordination abilities in boys aged between 7 and 10 is 22.5–80.0% (56.2% on average. Game actions play a particular role in dexterity development in junior schoolers. The 23 complete factorial experiment made it possible to study the multi-factorial structure of game load for the 2nd-4th-graders; to specify the relations between factors for their use during dexterity development in the 2nd-4th-grade boys in physical education classes. They can serve as an objective tool for the educational process optimization. The given regression equations are models that can be used to determine the optimal game means ratio in the academic process of the 2nd-4th-graders.

  10. Children prioritize virtual exotic biodiversity over local biodiversity.

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Jean-Marie Ballouard

    Full Text Available Environmental education is essential to stem current dramatic biodiversity loss, and childhood is considered as the key period for developing awareness and positive attitudes toward nature. Children are strongly influenced by the media, notably the internet, about biodiversity and conservation issues. However, most media focus on a few iconic, appealing, and usually exotic species. In addition, virtual activities are replacing field experiences. This situation may curb children knowledge and concerns about local biodiversity. Focusing our analyses on local versus exotic species, we examined the level of knowledge and the level of diversity of the animals that French schoolchildren are willing to protect, and whether these perceptions are mainly guided by information available in the internet. For that, we collected and compared two complementary data sets: 1 a questionnaire was administered to schoolchildren to assess their knowledge and consideration to protect animals, 2 an internet content analysis (i.e. Google searching sessions using keywords was performed to assess which animals are the most often represented. Our results suggest that the knowledge of children and their consideration to protect animal are mainly limited to internet contents, represented by a few exotic and charismatic species. The identification rate of local animals by schoolchildren was meager, suggesting a worrying disconnection from their local environment. Schoolchildren were more prone to protect "virtual" (unseen, exotic rather than local animal species. Our results reinforce the message that environmental education must also focus on outdoor activities to develop conservation consciousness and concerns about local biodiversity.

  11. Preoperative clinical radioimmunodetection of pancreatic cancer by 111In-labeled chimeric monoclonal antibody Nd2

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Sawada, Tetsuji; Nishihara, Tamahiro; Yamamoto, Atsushi

    1999-01-01

    The present study was carried out with the purpose of evaluating the clinical usefulness of radioimmunodetection (RAID) with 111 In-labeled murine/human chimeric monoclonal antibody, Nd2 (c-Nd2) in patients with pancreatic cancer. Nineteen patients suspected to have pancreatic cancer were administered intravenously 74 MBq/2 mg 111 In-labeled c-Nd2 in 100 ml of saline containing 2% albumin over 30 min. A scintigram was obtained on the 3rd day after infusion by using single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging. Of the 14 patients finally diagnosed as having pancreatic cancer on the basis of surgical specimens or progress of disease, specific focal uptake at the site of the tumor was detected in 12 (true positive cases), representing a sensitivity of 85.7% (12/14), and liver metastasis was found in one case with metastasis. Of the 5 patients diagnosed with tumor-forming pancreatitis (TFP), 4 patients demonstrated true negative imaging, but one patient whose tumor demonstrated interesting findings in histology and immunostaining, showed false positive imaging. Of patients investigated for human anti-chimeric antibody (HACA) response, none showed HACA response, and no allergic reaction was seen in any of the patients administered c-Nd2. These results suggest that RAID with 111 In-labeled c-Nd2 is useful for differential preoperative diagnosis between invasive pancreatic cancer and TFP. (author)

  12. Food irradiation - 2nd all-German conference. Proceedings

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Walz, E.; Ehlermann, D.A.E.

    1993-01-01

    The 2nd conference on 'Food Irradiation' in re-united Germany took place in Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen at the Karlsruhe Nuclear Research Centre, 9th to 10th December 1992. Participants came from government investigating agencies and research institutions of the German Federal Government and the Federal States. Abstracts focus on issues of food laws and certification of irradiation treatment. (UHE) [de

  13. Dispersion Relations for Magnetic Excitons in NdAl2

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Houmann, Jens Christian Gylden; Bak, P.; Purwins, H. -G.

    1974-01-01

    The magnetic excitation spectrum in NdAl2 has been measured by means of inelastic neutron scattering at 5.3K for momentum transfer in the (110) direction. Several excitation branches are observed and discussed in terms of a hamiltonian including an isotropic Heisenberg exchange interaction...

  14. Soft and hard natures of Nd2Fe14B permanent magnet explored by first-order-reversal-curves

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Chen, Po-An; Yang, Chao-Yao; Chang, Shu-Jui; Lee, Min-Han; Tang, Nai-Kuang; Yen, Sheng-Chan; Tseng, Yuan-Chieh

    2014-01-01

    Two commercial Nd 2 Fe 14 B samples, MQP-B and sintered-NdFeB were investigated using synchrotron-based x-ray diffraction and first-order-reversal-curves (FORCs). Despite differing in magnetic and structural properties, the two samples were found to comprise two major ferromagnetic components in FORCs. For the sintered-NdFeB case, the soft component may originate from the intrinsically soft Nd-f site which was coupled with its local Fe atomic environment that differs in magnetic anisotropy from the Nd-g site (intrinsically hard). It may directly originate from the Nd-rich phase or microstructural imperfection, while the former possibility (Nd-f site) appears greater than the latter. While for the MQP-B, the minor second phase resulting from high structural disorder was likely in charge of the presence of the soft component. Sophisticated FORCs analyses revealed the natures of the soft and hard components, soft–hard coupling and switching reversibility of the two cases, irrespective of the origins of their two components. This provides insights to the origin of magnetic stability and reversal dynamics of Nd 2 Fe 14 B that have not been fully understood by conventional magnetic analyses. The coexistence of the two components led to an incoherent reversal undermining the magnetic stability of Nd 2 Fe 14 B. This is a fundamental problem as to why the performance extremity can only be improved finitely through extrinsic tuning. From FORCs simulation we understand that the soft–hard coupling was moderate in a real Nd 2 Fe 14 B compound. A stronger soft–hard coupling is necessary to conquer the anisotropic competition to enable a coherent reversal that will promote the magnetic hardness. - Highlights: • We investigated two commercially available Nd 2 Fe 14 B compounds with FORCs. • The two compounds were found to comprise soft and hard natures. • The coupling between the soft and hard phases is moderate in a real Nd 2 Fe 14 B

  15. BaO-Nd2O3-CuOx subsolidus equilibria under carbonate-free conditions at pO2=100 Pa and at pO2=21 kPa

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Wong-Ng, W.; Cook, L.P.; Suh, J.; Coutts, R.; Stalick, J.K.; Levin, I.; Huang, Q.

    2003-01-01

    Subsolidus phase equilibria of the BaO-Nd 2 O 3 -CuO x system at pO 2 =100 Pa (0.1% O 2 volume fraction, 810 deg. C) and at pO 2 =21 kPa (21% O 2 volume fraction, 930 deg. C) have been investigated by applying controlled-atmosphere methods to minimize the presence of carbonate and CO 2 and H 2 O contamination. Under carbonate-free conditions, the BaO-Nd 2 O 3 -CuO x phase diagrams at pO 2 =100 Pa and at pO 2 =21 kPa are similar to one another except for differences in the extent of the solid solutions. Apart from the limiting binary phases, the ternary system consists of three solid solutions and one stoichiometric ternary compound. The first solid solution is the high T c series, Ba 2-x Nd 1+x Cu 3 O 6+z (0.3≥x≥0 at pO 2 =100 Pa; 0.95≥x≥ 0 at pO 2 =21 kPa). At pO 2 =21 kPa, a compositionally dependent phase change was detected, from tetragonal (0.7>x≥0) to orthorhombic (0.95≥x≥0.7). The second solid solution series, the 'brown-phase' Ba 1+x Nd 2-x CuO z , has a narrow homogeneity region (0.10>x≥0 at pO 2 =100 Pa; 0.15>x≥0 at pO 2 =21 kPa). In the high BaO part of the phase diagram, a third solid solution (Ba 2-x Nd x )CuO 3+z (x=0 to ∼ 0.3 at pO 2 =100 Pa; x=0-0.45 at pO 2 =21 kPa) was confirmed, as well as a nominally stoichiometric phase, Ba 4 Nd 2 Cu 2 O z . The latter phase is an insulator, with a structure comprised of unusual CuO 5 linear chains. A significant difference in tie line distribution involving the Ba 2-x Nd 1+x Cu 3 O 6+z superconductor was found under carbonate-free conditions relative to literature studies completed in air. Instead of the BaCuO 2+x -Ba 2+x Nd 4-x Cu 2 O z tie line normally encountered in air, a Ba 2-x Nd 1+x Cu 3 O 6+z -(Ba,Nd) 2 CuO 3+x tie line was established. This tie line substantially expands the field of stability of the Ba 2-x Nd 1+x Cu 3 O 6+z superconductor phase into the BaO-rich region of the phase diagram. Implications for the processing of materials based on the Ba 2-x Nd 1+x Cu 3 O 6+z

  16. BIPHASIC TREATMENT OF 2ND CLASS ANGLE ANOMALIES

    OpenAIRE

    C. Romanec; R. Stanciu; Anca Telmecea; Valentina Dorobat

    2011-01-01

    Our approach aims at presenting, based on clinical observations and complementary examinations, the effects of a treatment’s setting up during the mixed dentition period. The objectives include the identification of the optimal time of treatment of II/1, II/2 Angle malocclusions, as well as the therapeutic possibilities for the treatment of 2nd class Angle malocclusion during the period of mixed and permanent dentition. The study is based on data collected from 114 cli...

  17. Making good progress. SwissEnergy 2nd annual report 2002/03

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    2003-01-01

    The second annual report for the Swiss Federal Office of Energy's 'SwissEnergy' programme presents the activities carried out and the results achieved within the framework of the programme, which aims to help implement Switzerland's climate change policy. SwissEnergy is a national programme in which the government, the cantons, local authorities, the private sector, consumer and environmental organisations, as well as public and private-sector agencies work together as partners. In the first part of the report, strategies - including increasing energy efficiency and the promotion of the use of renewable forms of energy - are described, as are the measures taken, which focus on voluntary efforts by trade and industry. Also, the programme's organisation in four sectors - public sector and buildings, trade and industry, mobility and renewable energy - are described. The second part of the report is dedicated to activities carried out in 2002/2003 and describes economic and policy developments, project management activities and those carried out in the four sectors. The third section discusses the impact of the programme's activities in 2002 on Switzerland's energy consumption and its contribution to the implementation of Switzerland's climate policy. The evaluation procedures used to establish the impact and their accuracy are discussed. The report also discusses the programme's impact on investment and employment in Switzerland

  18. Nd{sub 2±x}Zr{sub 2∓x}O{sub 7±x/2} (−0.2≤x≤0.4) complex oxides: Effect of anion disorder on ionic conductivity

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Anithakumari, P., E-mail: anithakumari21-02@yahoo.co.in; Grover, V.; Tyagi, A. K. [Chemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India-400085 (India)

    2016-05-23

    In the present work, a series of Nd{sub 2±x}Zr{sub 2∓x}O{sub 7±x/2} (−0.2≤x≤0.4) was prepared by self assisted gel-combution method followed by high temperature sintering at 1673 K. Thorough structural characterizations were done by X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopic techniques. The nominal compositions Nd{sub 1.6}Zr{sub 2.4}O{sub 7.2} and Nd{sub 1.8}Zr{sub 2.2}O{sub 7.1} were found to possess single-phasic pyrochlore structure whereas Nd{sub 2.0}Zr{sub 2.0}O{sub 7} and Nd{sub 2.2}Zr{sub 1.8}O{sub 6.9} consisted of a pyrochlore phase and a small amount of hexagonal Nd{sub 2}O{sub 3} as an impurity phase. Electrical behavior of the samples was examined by AC impedance analysis. Even though the activation energies of all the samples are not very different, a high pre-exponential factor for the Nd{sub 1.6}Zr{sub 2.4}O{sub 7.2} composition resulted in high ionic conductivity (3.37 × 10{sup −3} Scm{sup −1} at 773 K). This high ionic conductivity value makes it a superior candidate as an electrolyte material for SOFC applications.

  19. Quantifying the Benefit of Early Climate Change Mitigation in Avoiding Biodiversity Loss

    Science.gov (United States)

    Warren, R.; Vanderwal, J.; Price, J.; Welbergen, J.; Atkinson, I. M.; Ramirez-Villegas, J.; Osborn, T.; Shoo, L.; Jarvis, A.; Williams, S.; Lowe, J. A.

    2014-12-01

    Quantitative simulations of the global-scale benefits of climate change mitigation in avoiding biodiversity loss are presented. Previous studies have projected widespread global and regional impacts of climate change on biodiversity. However, these have focused on analysis of business-as-usual scenarios, with no explicit mitigation policy included. This study finds that early, stringent mitigation would avoid a large proportion of the impacts of climate change induced biodiversity loss projected for the 2080s. Furthermore, despite the large number of studies addressing extinction risks in particular species groups, few studies have explored the issue of potential range loss in common and widespread species. Our study is a comprehensive global scale analysis of 48,786 common and widespread species. We show that without climate change mitigation, 57+/-6% of the plants and 34+/-7% of the animals studied are likely to lose over 50% of their present climatic range by the 2080s. This estimate incorporates realistic, taxon-specific dispersal rates. With stringent mitigation, in which emissions peak in 2016 and are reduced by 5% annually thereafter, these losses are reduced by 60%. Furthermore, with stringent mitigation, global temperature rises more slowly, allowing an additional three decades for biodiversity to adapt to a temperature rise of 2C above pre-industrial levels. The work also shows that even with mitigation not all the impacts can now be avoided, and ecosystems and biodiversity generally has a very limited capacity to adapt. Delay in mitigation substantially reduces the percentage of impacts that can be avoided, for example if emissions do not peak until 2030, the percentage of losses that can be avoided declines to 40%. Since even small declines in common and widespread species can disrupt ecosystem function and services, these results indicate that without mitigation, globally widespread losses in ecosystem service provision are to be expected.

  20. Nd3+-doped TeO2-Bi2O3-ZnO transparent glass ceramics for laser application at 1.06 μm

    Science.gov (United States)

    Hu, Xiaolin; Luo, Zhiwei; Liu, Taoyong; Lu, Anxian

    2017-04-01

    The high crystallinity transparent glass ceramics based on Nd3+-doped 70TeO2-15Bi2O3-15ZnO (TBZ) compositions were successfully prepared by two-step heat treatment process. The effects of Nd2O3 content on the thermal, structural, mechanical, and optical properties of TBZ glass ceramics were studied. The incorporation of Nd2O3 enhanced the crystallization tendency in the matrix glass composition. The crystal phase and morphology of Bi2Te4O11 in the glass ceramics were confirmed by X-ray diffraction and field emission scanning electron microscopy. Due to precipitate more crystal phase, the hardness values increased from 3.21 to 3.66 GPa. Eight absorption peaks were observed from 400 to 900 nm and three emission bands appeared in the range of 850-1400 nm. With the increasing of Nd2O3 content from 0.5 to 2.5 wt%, the intensity of absorption peaks enhanced and the emission intensity increased up to 1.0 wt% and then fell down for further dopant concentration. The fluorescence decay lifetime decreased rapidly starting from 1.5 wt% Nd2O3 content due to the obvious energy migration among Nd3+. According to the extreme strong emission band around 1062 nm and the optimum Nd2O3 content (1.0 wt%), N10 glass ceramic was considered as a potential material for 1.06 μm laser applications.

  1. 29 CFR 403.2 - Annual financial report.

    Science.gov (United States)

    2010-07-01

    ... 29 Labor 2 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Annual financial report. 403.2 Section 403.2 Labor... STANDARDS LABOR ORGANIZATION ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORTS § 403.2 Annual financial report. (a) Every labor... Standards within 90 days after the end of each of its fiscal years, a financial report signed by its...

  2. Thermodynamic optimization of the Cu-Nd system

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Wang Peisheng; Zhou Liangcai; Du Yong; Xu Honghui; Liu Shuhong; Chen Li; Ouyang Yifang

    2011-01-01

    Research highlights: → The enthalpies of formation of the compounds Cu 6 Nd, Cu 5 Nd, Cu 2 Nd and αCuNd were calculated using DFT. → The thermodynamic constraints to eliminate the artificial phase relations were imposed during the thermodynamic optimization procedure. → The Cu-Nd system was optimized under the thermodynamic constraints. - Abstract: The thermodynamic constraints to eliminate artificial phase relations were introduced with the Cu-Nd system as an example. The enthalpies of formation of the compounds Cu 6 Nd, Cu 5 Nd, Cu 2 Nd and αCuNd are calculated using density functional theory. Taking into account all the experimental data and the first-principles calculated enthalpies of formation of these compounds, the thermodynamic optimization of the Cu-Nd system was performed under the proposed thermodynamic constraints. It is demonstrated that the thermodynamic constraints are critical to obtain a set of thermodynamic parameters for the Cu-Nd system, which can avoid the appearance of all the artificial phase relations.

  3. Biodiversity conservation—a place holder: introduction to papers in this issue.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Deanna H. Olson

    2006-01-01

    Biodiversity conservation in the US Pacific Northwest is gaining new attention as large reserves are recognized as not being a panacea for protection of all rare species. In February 2005, a workshop at Oregon State University, held in conjunction with the joint annual meetings of the Society for Northwestern Vertebrate Biology and the Oregon Chapter of the Wildlife...

  4. Crystal structures and phase transformation of deuterated lithium imide, Li2ND

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Balogh, Michael P.; Jones, Camille Y.; Herbst, J.F.; Hector, Louis G.; Kundrat, Matthew

    2006-01-01

    We have investigated the crystal structure of deuterated lithium imide, Li 2 ND, by means of neutron and X-ray diffraction. An order-disorder transition occurs near 360K. Below that temperature Li 2 ND can be described to the same level of accuracy as a disordered cubic (Fd3-bar m) structure with partially occupied Li 32e sites or as a fully occupied orthorhombic (Ima2 or Imm2) structure. The high temperature phase is best characterized as disordered cubic (Fm3-bar m) with D atoms randomized over the 192l sites. Density functional theory calculations complement and support the diffraction analyses. We compare our findings in detail with previous studies

  5. Magnetic and structural properties of the Nd2(Fe100-xNbx)14B system prepared by arc melting

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Oyola Lozano, D.; Zamora, L. E.; Perez Alcazar, G. A.; Rojas, Y. A.; Bustos, H.; Greneche, J. M.

    2006-01-01

    In this work the magnetic and structural properties are investigated by Moessbauer spectrometry, Vibrating Sample Magnetometry and X-ray diffraction of Nd 2 (Fe 100-x Nb x ) 14 B powdered alloys with x = 0, 2 and 4 prepared by arc melting. The Moessbauer spectra of the samples were fitted with several contributions from: Nd 2 Fe 14 B, α-Fe and a paramagnetic phase associated with Nd 1.1 Fe 4 B 4 for x = 0 and additionally from NbFeB and Nd 2 Fe 17 for x = 2 and x = 4. The relative fractions of α-Fe and Nd 2 Fe 14 B are smaller for x = 4 than for x = 0, indicating that the amount of these two phases is reduced with increasing Nb content, while the relative fraction of Nd 2 Fe 17 increases. The α-Fe grain size slightly decreases while that of the Nd 2 Fe 14 B phase is increasing, when the Nb content increases. The hysteresis loops indicate that these samples behave as hard ferromagnets, with a coercive field which decreases when the Nb content increases, but with rather low remanent magnetization.

  6. How Essential Biodiversity Variables and remote sensing can help national biodiversity monitoring

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Petteri Vihervaara

    2017-04-01

    Full Text Available Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBVs have been suggested to harmonize biodiversity monitoring worldwide. Their aim is to provide a small but comprehensive set of monitoring variables that would give a balanced picture of the development of biodiversity and the reaching of international and national biodiversity targets. Globally, GEO BON (Group on Earth Observations Biodiversity Observation Network has suggested 22 candidate EBVs to be monitored. In this article we regard EBVs as a conceptual tool that may help in making national scale biodiversity monitoring more robust by pointing out where to focus further development resources. We look at one country –Finland –with a relatively advanced biodiversity monitoring scheme and study how well Finland’s current biodiversity state indicators correspond with EBVs. In particular, we look at how national biodiversity monitoring could be improved by using available remote sensing (RS applications. Rapidly emerging new technologies from drones to airborne laser scanning and new satellite sensors providing imagery with very high resolution (VHR open a whole new world of opportunities for monitoring the state of biodiversity and ecosystems at low cost. In Finland, several RS applications already exist that could be expanded into national indicators. These include the monitoring of shore habitats and water quality parameters, among others. We hope that our analysis and examples help other countries with similar challenges. Along with RS opportunities, our analysis revealed also some needs to develop the EBV framework itself.

  7. A chiral mixed carboxylate, [Nd4(H2O)2(OOC(CH2)3COO)4(C2O4)2], exhibiting NLO properties

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Vaidhyanathan, R.; Natarajan, Srinivasan; Rao, C.N.R.

    2004-01-01

    Reaction of a mixture of neodymium carbonate, HCl, oxamic acid and glutaric acid under hydrothermal conditions gives rise to a new mixed carboxylate of neodymium, [Nd 4 (H 2 O) 2 (OOC(CH 2 ) 3 COO) 4 (C 2 O 4 ) 2 ], I. The structure, determined using single crystal X-ray diffraction, comprises a helical column formed by the grafting of the oxalate unit on to helical NdO 9 chains, cross-linked by the glutarate anions. It is noteworthy that the pitch of the helix is equivalent to the length of the oxalate unit. Furthermore, I shows about 1.1 times the SHG activity of urea

  8. Evaluation of Nd-Loaded SnO2:F Films Coated via Spray Pyrolysis

    Science.gov (United States)

    Turgut, G.

    2018-07-01

    Thin layers of single (F)- and double (F/Nd)-incorporated tin oxide have been coated on glass substrate via spray pyrolysis. The structural, morphological, electrical, and optical features of F-incorporated samples were evaluated depending on the Nd loading. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that samples had tetragonal tin oxide structure with (211) and (200) preferential directions. The crystallite size and strain values varied from 37.98 nm and 1.21 × 10-3 to 52.12 nm and 1.88 × 10-3. Scanning electron microscopy analysis showed that the samples consisted of pyramidal, polyhedral, and needle-shaped granules. The lowest sheet resistance value of 1.22 Ω was found for 1.8 at.% Nd + 25 at.% F-coloaded SnO2. However, the widest optical bandgap of 4.01 eV was observed for the single 25 at.% F-loaded sample. The Urbach tail and figure of merit also changed in the ranges of 664 meV to 1296 meV and 6.4 × 10-2 Ω-1 to 2.3 × 10-3 Ω-1, respectively. The results presented herein indicate that the character of F-doped tin oxide films can be controlled by Nd loading and that these films could be useful for technological applications.

  9. An investigation about the improvement of Tc for the n-type superconductor Nd2-xCexCuO4

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Wang Cong; Liang Jingkui; Chen Xiaolong; Min Jinrong; Cheng Xiangrong; Zhuang Weidong; Rao Guanghui

    1994-01-01

    Nd 2-x Ce x CuO 4 (x = 0.12 to 0.18) with T onset = 17 to 26 K is synthesized from the nominal composition of Nd 2-x Ce x CuO 4 + nSrCuO 2 (+nCaCuO 2 ) (n = 1, 2) under standard conditions without high pressure treatment. The sintering temperature, atmosphere, and synthetic procedure are important for the superconductivity of Nd 2-x Ce x CuO 4 . It is difficult to build up n blocks of SrCuO 2 , CaCuO 2 , or CdCuO 2 on Nd 2-x Ce x CuO 4 so as to add CuO 2 layers. In addition, the crystal structure and electrical resistance of Nd 2-x Ce x CuO 4 are studied. (orig.)

  10. Commensurability oscillations in NdBa2Cu3Oy single crystals

    Indian Academy of Sciences (India)

    Postfach 3640, 76021 Karlsruhe, Germany. 2Technical ... the vortices are placed between the CuO2 layers, but the energy necessary for the elastic ... Two Nd123 crystals from the same batch were investigated: FK, twinned, transition tem-.

  11. Protecting Important Sites for Biodiversity Contributes to Meeting Global Conservation Targets

    Science.gov (United States)

    Butchart, Stuart H. M.; Scharlemann, Jörn P. W.; Evans, Mike I.; Quader, Suhel; Aricò, Salvatore; Arinaitwe, Julius; Balman, Mark; Bennun, Leon A.; Bertzky, Bastian; Besançon, Charles; Boucher, Timothy M.; Brooks, Thomas M.; Burfield, Ian J.; Burgess, Neil D.; Chan, Simba; Clay, Rob P.; Crosby, Mike J.; Davidson, Nicholas C.; De Silva, Naamal; Devenish, Christian; Dutson, Guy C. L.; Fernández, David F. Día z; Fishpool, Lincoln D. C.; Fitzgerald, Claire; Foster, Matt; Heath, Melanie F.; Hockings, Marc; Hoffmann, Michael; Knox, David; Larsen, Frank W.; Lamoreux, John F.; Loucks, Colby; May, Ian; Millett, James; Molloy, Dominic; Morling, Paul; Parr, Mike; Ricketts, Taylor H.; Seddon, Nathalie; Skolnik, Benjamin; Stuart, Simon N.; Upgren, Amy; Woodley, Stephen

    2012-01-01

    Protected areas (PAs) are a cornerstone of conservation efforts and now cover nearly 13% of the world's land surface, with the world's governments committed to expand this to 17%. However, as biodiversity continues to decline, the effectiveness of PAs in reducing the extinction risk of species remains largely untested. We analyzed PA coverage and trends in species' extinction risk at globally significant sites for conserving birds (10,993 Important Bird Areas, IBAs) and highly threatened vertebrates and conifers (588 Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, AZEs) (referred to collectively hereafter as ‘important sites’). Species occurring in important sites with greater PA coverage experienced smaller increases in extinction risk over recent decades: the increase was half as large for bird species with>50% of the IBAs at which they occur completely covered by PAs, and a third lower for birds, mammals and amphibians restricted to protected AZEs (compared with unprotected or partially protected sites). Globally, half of the important sites for biodiversity conservation remain unprotected (49% of IBAs, 51% of AZEs). While PA coverage of important sites has increased over time, the proportion of PA area covering important sites, as opposed to less important land, has declined (by 0.45–1.14% annually since 1950 for IBAs and 0.79–1.49% annually for AZEs). Thus, while appropriately located PAs may slow the rate at which species are driven towards extinction, recent PA network expansion has under-represented important sites. We conclude that better targeted expansion of PA networks would help to improve biodiversity trends. PMID:22457717

  12. Protecting important sites for biodiversity contributes to meeting global conservation targets.

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Stuart H M Butchart

    Full Text Available Protected areas (PAs are a cornerstone of conservation efforts and now cover nearly 13% of the world's land surface, with the world's governments committed to expand this to 17%. However, as biodiversity continues to decline, the effectiveness of PAs in reducing the extinction risk of species remains largely untested. We analyzed PA coverage and trends in species' extinction risk at globally significant sites for conserving birds (10,993 Important Bird Areas, IBAs and highly threatened vertebrates and conifers (588 Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, AZEs (referred to collectively hereafter as 'important sites'. Species occurring in important sites with greater PA coverage experienced smaller increases in extinction risk over recent decades: the increase was half as large for bird species with>50% of the IBAs at which they occur completely covered by PAs, and a third lower for birds, mammals and amphibians restricted to protected AZEs (compared with unprotected or partially protected sites. Globally, half of the important sites for biodiversity conservation remain unprotected (49% of IBAs, 51% of AZEs. While PA coverage of important sites has increased over time, the proportion of PA area covering important sites, as opposed to less important land, has declined (by 0.45-1.14% annually since 1950 for IBAs and 0.79-1.49% annually for AZEs. Thus, while appropriately located PAs may slow the rate at which species are driven towards extinction, recent PA network expansion has under-represented important sites. We conclude that better targeted expansion of PA networks would help to improve biodiversity trends.

  13. 2nd International Conference on Green Communications and Networks 2012

    CERN Document Server

    Ma, Maode; GCN 2012

    2013-01-01

    The objective of the 2nd International Conference on Green Communications and Networks 2012 (GCN 2012) is to facilitate an exchange of information on best practices for the latest research advances in the area of communications, networks and intelligence applications. These mainly involve computer science and engineering, informatics, communications and control, electrical engineering, information computing, and business intelligence and management. Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Green Communications and Networks 2012 (GCN 2012) will focus on green information technology and applications, which will provide in-depth insights for engineers and scientists in academia, industry, and government. The book addresses the most innovative research developments including technical challenges, social and economic issues, and presents and discusses the authors’ ideas, experiences, findings, and current projects on all aspects of advanced green information technology and applications. Yuhang Yang is ...

  14. Isotopic effect in phase transitions of (NH4)2HPO4 and (ND4)2DPO4

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Diosa, J.E.; Coral, E.E.; Vargas, R.A.

    1996-01-01

    Specific heat and dielectric constant measurements at low frequency, have shown two transitions in the ionic systems (NH4)2HPO4 and (ND4)2DPO4 bellow 300 K. For (NH4)2HPO4, the transition are observed at 174 K and 246 K, while (ND4)2DPO4, they are observed at 147 K and 229 K. We have also found a shift of the transition temperatures to smaller values when the hydrogen is replaced by deuterium. The specific heat anomalies associated with these transitions are reversible in successive thermal cycles (heating and cooling) and we did not detect latent heat through them. Furthermore, we have detected anomalies in the dielectric constant in the same transition points. We have attributed these transition phases to reorientations of the tetrahedra of NH4 and ND4, so that the activation energy Ea for these process that we associated with the thermal energy KBTt required for the transition, is inversely related to the mass of the hydrogen isotope

  15. 2nd International Conference on Nuclear Physics in Astrophysics

    CERN Document Server

    Fülöp, Zsolt; Somorjai, Endre; The European Physical Journal A : Volume 27, Supplement 1, 2006

    2006-01-01

    Launched in 2004, "Nuclear Physics in Astrophysics" has established itself in a successful topical conference series addressing the forefront of research in the field. This volume contains the selected and refereed papers of the 2nd conference, held in Debrecen in 2005 and reprinted from "The European Physical Journal A - Hadrons and Nuclei".

  16. Relation between Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B grain alignment and coercive force decrease ratio in NdFeB sintered magnets

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Matsuura, Yutaka, E-mail: Yutaka_Matsuura@hitachi-metals.co.jp [Hitachi Metals Ltd., NEOMAX Division, 2-15-17 Egawa, Shimamoto-cho, Mishima-gun, Osaka 618-0013 (Japan); Hoshijima, Jun; Ishii, Rintaro [Hitachi Metals Ltd., NEOMAX Division, 2-15-17 Egawa, Shimamoto-cho, Mishima-gun, Osaka 618-0013 (Japan)

    2013-06-15

    It was found that the coercive force of NdFeB sintered magnets decreases as the Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B grain alignment improves. Because of this phenomenon, studies looked at the relation between this alignment and the coercive force decrease ratio. In experiments, it was expected that the coercive force of perfectly aligned magnet reached 0.7 of coercive force in istotropically aligned magnet. When it is postulated that the coercive force is determined by the Stoner–Wohlfarth model, coercive force increases as the alignment improves and it becomes difficult to explain our experimental data. On the other hand, when the coercive force is determined by magnetic domain wall motion, the coercive force decreases as the alignment improves and the coercive force of the perfectly aligned magnet reaches 1/√(2) of the isotropically aligned magnet. This tendency and value was very close to our data. It strongly suggests that the coercive force of NdFeB sintered magnets is determined by the domain wall motion. - Highlights: ► Coercive force of NdFeB sintered magnets decreases as grains alignment improves. ► Coercive force decrease ratio reaches −30% at the perfect aligned magnet. ►These experimental results are different from the Stoner–Wohlfarth model. ► The magnetic domain wall motion could explain this coercive force decrease ratio.

  17. Cross-roads of planet earth's life : exploring means to meet the 2010 biodiversity target : solution-oriented scenarios for Global Biodiversity Outlook 2

    NARCIS (Netherlands)

    Brink, ten B.J.E.; Alkemade, R.; Bakkenes, M.; Clement, J.; Eickhout, B.; Fish, L.; Heer, de H.; Kram, T.; Manders, T.; Meijl, van H.; Miles, L.; Nellemann, C.; Lysenko, I.; Oorschot, van M.; Smout, F.; Tabeau, A.A.; Vuuren, van D.; Westhoek, H.

    2007-01-01

    A scenario study from 2000 to 2050 has been performed (by Natuur en Milieuplanbureau, UNEP and WCMC) to explore the effects of future economic, demographic and technical developments on environmental pressures and global biodiversity. Policy options that affect global biodiversity were analysed on

  18. Lifetimes of low-lying states in 132Nd and 134Nd

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Kruecken, R.; Mullins, S.M.; Thornley, D.J.; Kirwan, A.J.; Nolan, P.J.; Regan, P.H.; Wadsworth, R.

    1995-01-01

    Lifetimes of low-lying states have been measured in 132 Nd and 134 Nd using the coincidence-plunger technique. The reaction 32 S+ 105 Pd was used at a bombarding energy of 152 MeV. The measurement has been performed at the NSF Daresbury using the ESSA 30 array. The differential decay-curve method (DDCM) was used to analyze the recoil-distance Doppler-shift (RDDS) data. The experimental B(E2) values in 132 Nd are well described by the predictions of the rotational model and the IBM in the O(6) limit. ((orig.))

  19. Pentacene based thin film transistors with high-k dielectric Nd2O3 as a gate insulator

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Sarma, R.; Saikia, D.

    2010-01-01

    We have investigated the pentacene based Organic Thin Film Transistors (OTFTs) with high-k dielectric Nd 2 O 3 . Use of high dielectric constant (high-k) gate insulator Nd 2 O 3 reduces the threshold voltage and sub threshold swing of the OTFTs. The calculated threshold voltage -2.2V and sub-threshold swing 1V/decade, current ON-OFF ratio is 1.7 X 10 4 and mobility is 0.13cm 2 /V.s. Pentacene film is deposited on Nd 2 O 3 surface using two step deposition method. Deposited pentacene film is found poly crystalline in nature. (author)

  20. Net present biodiversity value and the design of biodiversity offsets.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Overton, Jacob McC; Stephens, R T Theo; Ferrier, Simon

    2013-02-01

    There is an urgent need to develop sound theory and practice for biodiversity offsets to provide a better basis for offset multipliers, to improve accounting for time delays in offset repayments, and to develop a common framework for evaluating in-kind and out-of-kind offsets. Here, we apply concepts and measures from systematic conservation planning and financial accounting to provide a basis for determining equity across type (of biodiversity), space, and time. We introduce net present biodiversity value (NPBV) as a theoretical and practical measure for defining the offset required to achieve no-net-loss. For evaluating equity in type and space we use measures of biodiversity value from systematic conservation planning. Time discount rates are used to address risk of non-repayment, and loss of utility. We illustrate these concepts and measures with two examples of biodiversity impact-offset transactions. Considerable further work is required to understand the characteristics of these approaches.

  1. Microstructure evolution and coercivity enhancement in Nd-Fe-B thin films diffusion-processed by R-Al alloys (R=Nd, Pr)

    Science.gov (United States)

    Xie, Yigao; Yang, Yang; Zhang, Tongbo; Fu, Yanqing; Jiang, Qingzheng; Ma, Shengcan; Zhong, Zhenchen; Cui, Weibin; Wang, Qiang

    2018-05-01

    Diffusion process by Nd-Al and Pr-Al alloys was compared and investigated in Nd-Fe-B thin films. Enhanced coercivity 2.06T and good squareness was obtained by using Pr85Al15 and Nd85Al15 alloys as diffusion sources. But the coercivity of diffusion-processed thin films by Pr70Al30 and Pr55Al45 alloys decreased to 2.04T and 1.82T. High ambient coercivity of 2.26T was achieved in diffusion-processed thin film by Nd70Al30 leading to an improved coercivity thermal stability because Nd2Fe14B grains were enveloped by Nd-rich phase as seen by transmission electron microscopy Nd-loss image. Meanwhile, microstructure-dependent parameters α and Neff were improved. However, high content of Al in diffusion-processed thin film by Nd55Al45 lead to degraded texture and coercivity.

  2. Biodiversity and Biological Degradation of Soil -2A ...

    Indian Academy of Sciences (India)

    biodiversity, conservation .... excavation of ores containing iron sulfides leads to oxidative production of sulfates. ... oxide, a significant greenhouse gas, may also occur. In addition to the ... ganisms rely on organic matter for food. Thus, a rich ...

  3. Concentration quenching in Nd-doped glasses

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Stokowski, S.E.; Cook, L.; Mueller, H.; Weber, M.J.

    1984-01-01

    Fluorescence from trivalent Nd in solids is unfortunately quenched by interactions between Nd ions. Thus, laser materials with high Nd concentrations have reduced efficiencies because of this self-quenching, also known as concentration quenching. Nd self-quenching in different crystals and glasses varies considerably. We are therefore investigating this effect in a large number of materials in an effort to: (1) find those materials with long Nd fluorescent lifetimes at high Nd concentrations; and (2) elucidate the basic mechanisms of quenching and how the material structure controls its magnitude. We have concentrated on Nd-doped glasses because they provide a rich variety of structures, albeit complicated by Nd site inhomogeneities, and are easily and quickly made

  4. Effect of V-Nd co-doping on phase transformation and grain growth process of TiO2

    Science.gov (United States)

    Khatun, Nasima; Amin, Ruhul; Anita, Sen, Somaditya

    2018-05-01

    The pure and V-Nd co-doped TiO2 samples are prepared by the modified sol-gel process. The phase formation is confirmed by XRD spectrum. Phase transformation is delayed in V-Nd co-doped TiO2 (TVN) samples compared to pure TiO2. The particle size is comparatively small in TVN samples at both the temperature 450 °C and 900 °C. Hence the effect of Nd doping is dominated over V doping in both phase transformation and grain growth process of TiO2.

  5. Interplay of structural chemistry and magnetism in perovskites; A study of CaLn2Ni2WO9; Ln=La, Pr, Nd

    Science.gov (United States)

    Chin, Chun-Mann; Paria Sena, Robert; Hunter, Emily C.; Hadermann, Joke; Battle, Peter D.

    2017-07-01

    Polycrystalline samples of CaLn2Ni2WO9 (Ln=La, Pr, Nd) have been synthesized and characterised by a combination of X-ray and neutron diffraction, electron microscopy and magnetometry. Each composition adopts a perovskite-like structure with a 5.50, b 5.56, c 7.78 Å, β 90.1° in space group P21/n. Of the two crystallographically distinct six-coordinate sites, one is occupied entirely (Ln=Pr) or predominantly (Ln=La, Nd) by Ni2+ and the other by Ni2+ and W6+ in a ratio of approximately 1:2. None of the compounds shows long-range magnetic order at 5 K. The magnetometry data show that the magnetic moments of the Ni2+ cations form a spin glass below 30 K in each case. The Pr3+ moments in CaPr2Ni2WO9 also freeze but the Nd3+ moments in CaNd2Ni2WO9 do not. This behaviour is contrasted with that observed in other (A,A')B2B'O9 perovskites.

  6. Large positive magnetoresistance in intermetallic compound NdCo2Si2

    Science.gov (United States)

    Roy Chowdhury, R.; Dhara, S.; Das, I.; Bandyopadhyay, B.; Rawat, R.

    2018-04-01

    The magnetic, magneto-transport and magnetocaloric properties of antiferromagnetic intermetallic compound NdCo2Si2 (TN = 32K) have been studied. The compound yields a positive magnetoresistance (MR) of about ∼ 123 % at ∼ 5K in 8 T magnetic field. The MR value is significantly large vis - a - vis earlier reports of large MR in intermetallic compounds, and possibly associated with the changes in magnetic structure of the compound. The large MR value can be explained in terms of field induced pseudo-gaps on Fermi surface.

  7. Towards global interoperability for supporting biodiversity research on Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBVs)

    NARCIS (Netherlands)

    Kissling, W.D.; Hardisty, A.; García, E.A.; Santamaria, M.; De Leo, F.; Pesole, G.; Freyhof, J.; Manset, D.; Wissel, S.; Konijn, J.; Los, W.

    2015-01-01

    Essential biodiversity variables (EBVs) have been proposed by the Group on Earth Observations Biodiversity Observation Network (GEO BON) to identify a minimum set of essential measurements that are required for studying, monitoring and reporting biodiversity and ecosystem change. Despite the initial

  8. BIPHASIC TREATMENT OF 2ND CLASS ANGLE ANOMALIES

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    C. Romanec

    2011-09-01

    Full Text Available Our approach aims at presenting, based on clinical observations and complementary examinations, the effects of a treatment’s setting up during the mixed dentition period. The objectives include the identification of the optimal time of treatment of II/1, II/2 Angle malocclusions, as well as the therapeutic possibilities for the treatment of 2nd class Angle malocclusion during the period of mixed and permanent dentition. The study is based on data collected from 114 clinical cases (69 girls and 45 boys with an age span between 7 and 18 years.

  9. 2nd National Conference on Theoretical Physics. Abstracts Book

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Grecu, Alexandru Tudor

    2004-01-01

    The 2nd National Conference on Theoretical Physics was held on 26-29 August 2004 in Constanta, Romania. The addressed physics fields within the INIS scope are as follows: classical and quantum mechanics, general physics, physics of elementary particles and fields, nuclear physics and radiation physics, classical and quantum mechanics, general physics, atomic and molecular physics, condensed matter physics

  10. In situ preparation of (TiB + TiC + Nd2O3)/Ti composites by powder metallurgy

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Lu Junqiang; Qin Jining; Lu Weijie; Liu Yang; Gu Jiajun; Zhang Di

    2009-01-01

    Titanium matrix composites reinforced with multiple ceramic particulates TiB, TiC and Nd 2 O 3 were prepared by powder metallurgy utilizing the chemical reactions among Ti, B 4 C, NdB 6 and oxygen in Ti powder. The thermodynamic feasibility of the in situ reaction has been calculated. The phases were identified by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The result shows that multiple ceramic phases TiB, TiC and Nd 2 O 3 particulates have been synthesized. The microstructures were examined by means of optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), backscattered electron microscopy and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The results show that the reinforcements are distributed uniformly in the matrix alloy and grow in different shapes. TiB grows in needle shape; TiC and Nd 2 O 3 grow in equiaxed or near-equiaxed shapes. The addition of NdB 6 is beneficial to grain refinement, grain-boundary purification and porosity reduction

  11. Forecasting biodiversity in breeding birds using best practices

    Science.gov (United States)

    Taylor, Shawn D.; White, Ethan P.

    2018-01-01

    Biodiversity forecasts are important for conservation, management, and evaluating how well current models characterize natural systems. While the number of forecasts for biodiversity is increasing, there is little information available on how well these forecasts work. Most biodiversity forecasts are not evaluated to determine how well they predict future diversity, fail to account for uncertainty, and do not use time-series data that captures the actual dynamics being studied. We addressed these limitations by using best practices to explore our ability to forecast the species richness of breeding birds in North America. We used hindcasting to evaluate six different modeling approaches for predicting richness. Hindcasts for each method were evaluated annually for a decade at 1,237 sites distributed throughout the continental United States. All models explained more than 50% of the variance in richness, but none of them consistently outperformed a baseline model that predicted constant richness at each site. The best practices implemented in this study directly influenced the forecasts and evaluations. Stacked species distribution models and “naive” forecasts produced poor estimates of uncertainty and accounting for this resulted in these models dropping in the relative performance compared to other models. Accounting for observer effects improved model performance overall, but also changed the rank ordering of models because it did not improve the accuracy of the “naive” model. Considering the forecast horizon revealed that the prediction accuracy decreased across all models as the time horizon of the forecast increased. To facilitate the rapid improvement of biodiversity forecasts, we emphasize the value of specific best practices in making forecasts and evaluating forecasting methods. PMID:29441230

  12. Forecasting biodiversity in breeding birds using best practices

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    David J. Harris

    2018-02-01

    Full Text Available Biodiversity forecasts are important for conservation, management, and evaluating how well current models characterize natural systems. While the number of forecasts for biodiversity is increasing, there is little information available on how well these forecasts work. Most biodiversity forecasts are not evaluated to determine how well they predict future diversity, fail to account for uncertainty, and do not use time-series data that captures the actual dynamics being studied. We addressed these limitations by using best practices to explore our ability to forecast the species richness of breeding birds in North America. We used hindcasting to evaluate six different modeling approaches for predicting richness. Hindcasts for each method were evaluated annually for a decade at 1,237 sites distributed throughout the continental United States. All models explained more than 50% of the variance in richness, but none of them consistently outperformed a baseline model that predicted constant richness at each site. The best practices implemented in this study directly influenced the forecasts and evaluations. Stacked species distribution models and “naive” forecasts produced poor estimates of uncertainty and accounting for this resulted in these models dropping in the relative performance compared to other models. Accounting for observer effects improved model performance overall, but also changed the rank ordering of models because it did not improve the accuracy of the “naive” model. Considering the forecast horizon revealed that the prediction accuracy decreased across all models as the time horizon of the forecast increased. To facilitate the rapid improvement of biodiversity forecasts, we emphasize the value of specific best practices in making forecasts and evaluating forecasting methods.

  13. YBa2Cu3O7-δ/NdBa2(Cu1-xNix)3O7-δ double layers by liquid-phase epitaxial growth

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Yao, X.; Izumi, Toru; Hobara, Natsuro; Nakamura, Yuichi; Izumi, Teruo; Shiohara, Yuh

    2001-01-01

    Our present investigation has answered questions pertaining to the REBa 2 Cu 3 O 7-δ (RE123, RE=rare-earth elements)-coated conductor application when NdBa 2 (Cu 1-x Ni x ) 3 O 7-δ (Ni-NdBCO) solid solution is used as a buffer layer by the liquid-phase epitaxy(LPE) process. The NiO/Ni substrate has no substantial reaction in the Ni-saturated Nd-Ba-Cu-O liquid. There is no essential Ni interdiffusion between YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7-δ (YBCO) and Ni-NdBCO LPE thick films as evident from T c values of 90 K obtained from multilayer YBCO/Ni-NdBCO samples. (author)

  14. Short rare hTERT-VNTR2-2nd alleles are associated with prostate cancer susceptibility and influence gene expression

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Yoon, Se-Lyun; Cheon, Sang-Hyeon; Leem, Sun-Hee; Jung, Se-Il; Do, Eun-Ju; Lee, Se-Ra; Lee, Sang-Yeop; Chu, In-Sun; Kim, Wun-Jae; Jung, Jaeil; Kim, Choung Soo

    2010-01-01

    The hTERT (human telomerase reverse transcriptase) gene contains five variable number tandem repeats (VNTR) and previous studies have described polymorphisms for hTERT-VNTR2-2 nd . We investigated how allelic variation in hTERT-VNTR2-2 nd may affect susceptibility to prostate cancer. A case-control study was performed using DNA from 421 cancer-free male controls and 329 patients with prostate cancer. In addition, to determine whether the VNTR polymorphisms have a functional consequence, we examined the transcriptional levels of a reporter gene linked to these VNTRs and driven by the hTERT promoter in cell lines. Three new rare alleles were detected from this study, two of which were identified only in cancer subjects. A statistically significant association between rare hTERT-VNTR2-2 nd alleles and risk of prostate cancer was observed [OR, 5.17; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.09-24.43; P = 0.021]. Furthermore, the results indicated that these VNTRs inserted in the enhancer region could influence the expression of hTERT in prostate cancer cell lines. This is the first study to report that rare hTERT VNTRs are associated with prostate cancer predisposition and that the VNTRs can induce enhanced levels of hTERT promoter activity in prostate cancer cell lines. Thus, the hTERT-VNTR2-2 nd locus may function as a modifier of prostate cancer risk by affecting gene expression

  15. Diode-pumped femtosecond mode-locked Nd, Y-codoped CaF2 laser

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Zhu, Jiangfeng; Zhang, Lijuan; Gao, Ziye; Wang, Junli; Wang, Zhaohua; Wei, Zhiyi; Su, Liangbi; Zheng, Lihe; Wang, Jingya; Xu, Jun

    2015-01-01

    A passively mode-locked femtosecond laser based on an Nd, Y-codoped CaF 2 disordered crystal was demonstrated. The Y 3+ -codoping in Nd : CaF 2 markedly suppressed the quenching effect and improved the fluorescence quantum efficiency and emission spectra. With a fiber-coupled laser diode as the pump source, the continuous wave tuning range covering from 1042 to 1076 nm was realized, while the mode-locked operation generated 264 fs pulses with an average output power of 180 mW at a repetition rate of 85 MHz. The experimental results show that the Nd, Y-codoped CaF 2 disordered crystal has potential in a new generation diode-pumped high repetition rate chirped pulse amplifier. (letter)

  16. Digital Geogames to Foster Local Biodiversity

    Science.gov (United States)

    Schaal, Sonja; Schaal, Steffen; Lude, Armin

    2015-01-01

    The valuing of biodiversity is considered to be a first step towards its conservation. Therefore, the aim of the BioDiv2Go project is to combine sensuous experiences discovering biodiversity with mobile technology and a game-based learning approach. Following the competence model for environmental education (Roczen et al, 2014), Geogames (location…

  17. Co-doping effect of CaS and Nd2S3 nanocrystallites on luminescence properties of sol-gel SiO2 xerogel

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Yang, P.; Lue, M.K.; Song, C.F.; Xu, D.; Yuan, D.L.; Gu, F.

    2005-01-01

    The synthesis and photoluminescence characteristics of a porous phosphor silica xerogel containing CaS and Nd 2 S 3 nanoparticles entrapped in a sol-gel silica network are discussed. X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron micrograph (TEM), UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy have been performed. The observed luminescence is assigned to CaS and Nd 2 S 3 nanoparticles embedded in the sol-gel silica xerogel. Transmission electron micrographs of doped samples revealed the presence of CaS and Nd 2 S 3 nanoparticles with average diameters of 10-20 nm. Two emission bands have been observed from co-doped sample

  18. Nd loaded liquid scintillator to search for 150Nd neutrinoless double beta decay

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Barabanov, I; Bezrukov, L; Yanovich, E; Cattadori, C; Danilov, N; Di Vacri, A; Ianni, A; Nisi, S; Ortica, F; Romani, A; Salvo, C; Smirnov, O

    2008-01-01

    The 150 Nd is considered one of the most attractive candidate for searching neutrinoless double beta (0νββ-) decay, thanks to its high Q-value (3.367 MeV), that makes the external background issue less significative respect to other isotopes, and favorable computed matrix elements. The isotopic abundance of this isotope in natural neodimium is only 5.6% and up to now, it has been investigated only in low mass experiments. The next step is to increase the sensitivity of the experiments using larger mass of neodymium (10 ton-1 kton). This could be possible with a Nd loaded liquid scintillator (LS). At the Gran Sasso National Laboratory (LNGS), a joint INFN (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare) and INR (Institute for Nuclear Research of Moscow) working group has been carrying out since 2001 an R and D activity aiming to develop organic liquid scintillators (LS) doped with metals. The achieved know-how and the satisfactory results obtained both with In and Gd allowed to face the development and production of Nd doped LS. The development of metal doped LS is challenging because the metal has to be embedded in a proper organic system that makes it soluble in an organic solvent minimizing the impact of the metal-organic compound on the optical and scintillation properties of the LS. A further challenge in the case of Nd is the presence of absorption bands of this element in the optical region with a transparent region around 400 nm, which is about at the maximum of the scintillator emission spectrum. A 2.5 1 Nd loaded LS has been produced diluting an originally developed Nd-Carboxylic (Nd-CBX) salt in pseudocumene (PC), the solvent of the Borexino liquid scintillator. The measured light yield, at [Nd] = 6.5 g/1 and [PPO] = 1.5 g/1, is ∼ 75% of pure PC at the same fluor concentration (∼ 10000 ph/MeV). The Nd doped LS has been tested in a 2 1 quartz cell (wrapped by VM2000 reflector film) having dimensions 5x5x100 cm 3 . The light propagates in the cell by total

  19. Fusion Technologies: 2nd Karlsruhe International Summer School

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Bahm, W.

    2008-01-01

    Nuclear fusion promises to deliver a future non-polluting energy supply with nearly unlimited fuel reserves. To win young scientists and engineers for nuclear fusion, the Karlsruhe Research Center, together with other partners in the European Fusion Education Network being established by the European Commission, organizes the 2nd Karlsruhe International Summer School on Fusion Technologies on September 1-12, 2008. The program covers all key technologies necessary for construction and operation of a fusion reactor. (orig.)

  20. Phase transitions and molecular motions in [Ni(ND3)6](ClO4)2

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Migdal-Mikuli, Anna; Mikuli, Edward; Gorska, Natalia; Kowalska, Aneta; Ulanski, Jacek

    2004-01-01

    [Ni(ND 3 ) 6 ](ClO 4 ) 2 has three solid phases between 100 and 300 K. The phase transitions temperatures at heating (T C1 h =164.1 K and T C2 h =145.1 K) are shifted, as compared to the non-deuterated compound, towards the lower temperature of ca. 8 and 5 K, respectively. The ClO 4 - anions perform fast, picosecond, isotropic reorientation with the activation energy of 6.6 kJ mol -1 , which abruptly slow down at T C1 c phase transition, during sample cooling. The ND 3 ligands perform fast uniaxial reorientation around the Ni-N bond in all three detected phases, with the effective activation energy of 2.9 kJ mol -1 . The reorientational motion of ND 3 is only slightly distorted at the T C1 phase transition due to the dynamical orientational order-disorder process of anions. The low value of the activation energy for the ND 3 reorientation suggests that this reorientation undergoes the translation-rotation coupling, which makes the barrier to the rotation of the ammonia ligands not constant but fluctuating. The phase polymorphism and the dynamics of the molecular reorientations of the title compound are similar but not quite identical with these of the [Ni(NH 3 ) 6 ](ClO 4 ) 2

  1. The Role of Field Margins in Agro-biodiversity Management at the Farm Level

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Giulio Lazzerini

    2007-06-01

    Full Text Available The agroecosystem could be considered as a mosaic so large to involve fields with annual and perennial crops, pastures, spots of wildwood, semi-natural habitats, vegetation in the edges of fields. In the agroecosystem these ecological infrastructures have a positive effects on the crops because of the exchange among community of organisms, materials and energy. The aim of this research is to evaluate the effects of field margins on some biodiversity components (plant species and carabid beetles of four farms located in Val d’Orcia (Tuscany. We compared three types of field margins: 1. Cultivated margin strips; 2. Sown grass margin strips; 3. Wild margin strips with hedgerow. In a very simplified typology of farming system, like the one studied (Val d’Orcia, the presence of field margins (hedges, margin strips and semi-natural habitats associated with the boundary is very important for its ecological effects: it improves the planned biodiversity, gives habitat, refuge, food and corridors for the movement to the different species of organisms in the area. Applying the multivariate analysis to the experimental data, we can notice a positive effect of the presence of field margins on the trend of both components of biodiversity. This positive effect, which support the mechanisms of autoregulation of the agroecosystems, is very important especially for organic and biodynamic agriculture, where the use of pesticides is not allowed.

  2. Soft and hard natures of Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B permanent magnet explored by first-order-reversal-curves

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Chen, Po-An; Yang, Chao-Yao; Chang, Shu-Jui [Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan, ROC (China); Lee, Min-Han [Undergraduate Honors Program of Nano Science and Engineering, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan, ROC (China); Tang, Nai-Kuang; Yen, Sheng-Chan [Metal Industries Research and Development Center, Kaohsiung, Taiwan (China); Tseng, Yuan-Chieh, E-mail: yctseng21@mail.nctu.edu.tw [Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan, ROC (China)

    2014-12-15

    Two commercial Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B samples, MQP-B and sintered-NdFeB were investigated using synchrotron-based x-ray diffraction and first-order-reversal-curves (FORCs). Despite differing in magnetic and structural properties, the two samples were found to comprise two major ferromagnetic components in FORCs. For the sintered-NdFeB case, the soft component may originate from the intrinsically soft Nd-f site which was coupled with its local Fe atomic environment that differs in magnetic anisotropy from the Nd-g site (intrinsically hard). It may directly originate from the Nd-rich phase or microstructural imperfection, while the former possibility (Nd-f site) appears greater than the latter. While for the MQP-B, the minor second phase resulting from high structural disorder was likely in charge of the presence of the soft component. Sophisticated FORCs analyses revealed the natures of the soft and hard components, soft–hard coupling and switching reversibility of the two cases, irrespective of the origins of their two components. This provides insights to the origin of magnetic stability and reversal dynamics of Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B that have not been fully understood by conventional magnetic analyses. The coexistence of the two components led to an incoherent reversal undermining the magnetic stability of Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B. This is a fundamental problem as to why the performance extremity can only be improved finitely through extrinsic tuning. From FORCs simulation we understand that the soft–hard coupling was moderate in a real Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B compound. A stronger soft–hard coupling is necessary to conquer the anisotropic competition to enable a coherent reversal that will promote the magnetic hardness. - Highlights: • We investigated two commercially available Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B compounds with FORCs. • The two compounds were found to comprise soft and hard natures. • The coupling between the soft and hard phases is moderate in a real Nd

  3. Supercurrent transport properties in Nd substituted TlSr2CaCu2O7 high temperature superconductor

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Andrew Das Arulsamy; Abd Shukor, R.

    1999-01-01

    The transport critical current density, J ct of TI(Sr 1-x Nd x ) 2 CaCu 2 O 7 (x= 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3) high temperature superconductors were measured at various temperatures. X-ray diffraction patterns indicate that all samples consist of mainly of the 1212 phase. The variation of J ct with Nd concentration, temperature and T c were scaled using a universal function. By plotting J ct versus T n c (x) and [1-(T/T c ) 2 ] m , we can divide the temperature dependencies of J ct into two regions. In each region, a linear relationship is suggested to hold between J ct and [1-(T/T c ) 2 ] m . For x=0.1, a relatively large exponent m in the range 40 - 50 K is observed, but a lower value is observed for a higher temperature range, 55 - 60 K. Average m for x = 0. 1 in the range 40 - 70 K is 1.8 but for x=0.2 and 0.3, m is 0.6 and 1.2, respectively. This can be interpreted as an indication that there is a change in the elementary flux pinning force which is responsible for sustaining the supercurrent. A self-field approximation indicates that Nd substitution lowers the distance between pinning centers (L c ). (author)

  4. Generation of 103 fs mode-locked pulses by a gain linewidth-variable Nd,Y:CaF2 disordered crystal.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Qin, Z P; Xie, G Q; Ma, J; Ge, W Y; Yuan, P; Qian, L J; Su, L B; Jiang, D P; Ma, F K; Zhang, Q; Cao, Y X; Xu, J

    2014-04-01

    We have demonstrated a diode-pumped passively mode-locked femtosecond Nd,Y:CaF2 disordered crystal laser for the first time to our knowledge. By choosing appropriate Y-doping concentration, a broad fluorescence linewidth of 31 nm has been obtained from the gain linewidth-variable Nd,Y:CaF2 crystal. With the Nd,Y:CaF2 disordered crystal as gain medium, the mode-locked laser generated pulses with pulse duration as short as 103 fs, average output power of 89 mW, and repetition rate of 100 MHz. To our best knowledge, this is the shortest pulse generated from Nd-doped crystal lasers so far. The research results show that the Nd,Y:CaF2 disordered crystal will be a potential alternative as gain medium of repetitive chirped pulse amplification for high-peak-power lasers.

  5. The biodiversity-dependent ecosystem service debt.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Isbell, Forest; Tilman, David; Polasky, Stephen; Loreau, Michel

    2015-02-01

    Habitat destruction is driving biodiversity loss in remaining ecosystems, and ecosystem functioning and services often directly depend on biodiversity. Thus, biodiversity loss is likely creating an ecosystem service debt: a gradual loss of biodiversity-dependent benefits that people obtain from remaining fragments of natural ecosystems. Here, we develop an approach for quantifying ecosystem service debts, and illustrate its use to estimate how one anthropogenic driver, habitat destruction, could indirectly diminish one ecosystem service, carbon storage, by creating an extinction debt. We estimate that c. 2-21 Pg C could be gradually emitted globally in remaining ecosystem fragments because of plant species loss caused by nearby habitat destruction. The wide range for this estimate reflects substantial uncertainties in how many plant species will be lost, how much species loss will impact ecosystem functioning and whether plant species loss will decrease soil carbon. Our exploratory analysis suggests that biodiversity-dependent ecosystem service debts can be globally substantial, even when locally small, if they occur diffusely across vast areas of remaining ecosystems. There is substantial value in conserving not only the quantity (area), but also the quality (biodiversity) of natural ecosystems for the sustainable provision of ecosystem services. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd/CNRS.

  6. Interaction between Nd-rich phase particles and liquid-solid interface in as-cast Ti-5Al-4Sn-2Zr-1Mo-0.25Si-1Nd titanium alloy

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Li, G.P.; Li, D.; Liu, Y.Y.; Hu, Z.Q.

    1995-01-01

    The composition (wt%) of ingot fir this investigation is 86.75%Ti, 5%Al, 4%Sn, 2%Zr, 1%Mo, 0.25%Si, 1%Nd. The alloy was prepared by vacuum arc melting in the form of buttons of mass 500 kg, which was remelted three times repeatedly to obtain homogeneous composition. The Nd-rich phase particles in the as-cast Ti-55 alloy are about 1.2∼11.07 microm and uniformly distribute in the matrix. The shapes of the particles are mainly ellipsoids together with short needle-like and blocky morphologies. The calculated diameter of the Nd-rich phase particles is ∼ 10 microm, which is within the 1.2∼11.07 microm range of the particle diameter experimentally measured in the as-cast Ti-55 alloy. The practical interface velocity is three orders of magnitude greater than V c, and the Nd-rich phase particles in the as-cast Ti-55 alloy are trapped by the liquid-solid interface

  7. Optical spectroscopy of Nd3+/Mg2+ co-doped LiTaO3 laser crystal

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Zhang, P X; Hang, Y; Gong, J; Zhao, C C; Yin, J G; Zhang, L H; Zhu, Y Y

    2013-01-01

    A Nd 3+ and Mg 2+ co-doped LiTaO 3 single crystal has been grown successfully by the Czochralski method. The polarized absorption spectra of the crystal were measured and investigated. The peak absorption cross-sections at 806 and 810 nm were 4.17 × 10 −20 cm 2 and 4.47 × 10 −20 cm 2 with a full width at half maximum of 29 and 17 nm for σ- and π-polarization, respectively. Based on the Judd–Ofelt theory, the spectral parameters of Nd 3+ in the as-grown crystal were investigated in detail. Moreover, the emission probabilities, branching ratio and radiative lifetime for the transitions from 4 F 3/2 were calculated. The radiative lifetime of 4 F 3/2 was calculated to be 159 μs and the luminescent quantum efficiency of the 4 F 3/2 manifold was about 81.13%. The results were also compared with other Nd 3+ doped crystals. (paper)

  8. How sustainable are 1{sup st} and 2{sup nd} generation biofuels for transportation?

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Reinhardt, Guido; Hienz, Gunnar [ifeu-Institut fuer Energie- und Umweltforschung GmbH, Heidelberg (Germany)

    2013-06-01

    After the successful implementation of 1{sup st} generation biofuels in the transport sector of several countries all over the world, 2{sup nd} generation biofuels are also being produced in the meantime. Recently, there is a distinct increase in publications on the question and the concerns of many stakeholders whether these biofuels are sustainable and public awareness of this issue is prevalent. This paper summarises the state of the art of the debate whether 1{sup st} and 2{sup nd} generation biofuels are a sustainable alternative for fossil fuels for transportation. Results of several life cycle assessments are compared and conclusions are stated. An environmental assessment identifies the potentials for a sustainable development of biofuels for transportation. Conclusions are that 1{sup st} and 2{sup nd} generation biofuels show both environmental advantages and disadvantages. The analyses of energy and greenhouse gas balances show a wide range of results. Lifecycle assessments and environmental impact assessments provide a method to determine whether biofuels are environmentally sustainable. Impacts on sustainable development are exemplified in the categories land use competition, biomass use competition and CO{sub 2} avoidance costs. Not all biofuels are regarded as being advantageous from an environmental perspective. However, 1{sup st} and 2{sup nd} generation biofuels for transportation show a great potential that needs to be harmonised with other needs (e.g. land for food production or biomass use for industry and chemistry towards an overall sustainable approach). (orig.)

  9. The novel heavy-fermion system Nd{sub 2-x}Ce{sub x}CuO{sub 4}

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Pyka, N [Institut Max von Laue - Paul Langevin (ILL), 38 - Grenoble (France); Loewenhaupt, M [Technische Univ., Dresden (Germany); Metz, A [Forschungszentrum Juelich GmbH (Germany)

    1997-04-01

    Inelastic neutron scattering experiments are reported in the heavy fermion state of Nd{sub 2-x}Ce{sub x}CuO{sub 4}. A complex magnetic response has been observed in zero field that can be divided into contributions from correlated Nd spins (inelastic, q-dependent; reminiscent of the spin waves in Nd{sub 2}CuO{sub 4}) and from independent, slowly relaxing Nd spins (quasi-elastic, q-independent). An applied magnetic field of H > 3 Tesla gives rise to different correlations in Q - {omega} space than in zero field. Field dependent specific heat and {mu}SR experiments can be better understood in the light of these INS results. The experiments were performed on a single crystal at T {<=} 0.1 K with applied magnetic fields of H = 0 - 6 Tesla at the IN14 spectrometer. (author). 6 refs.

  10. CW laser properties of Nd:GdYAG, Nd:LuYAG, and Nd:GdLuAG mixed crystals

    Science.gov (United States)

    Di, J. Q.; Xu, X. D.; Li, D. Z.; Zhou, D. H.; Wu, F.; Zhao, Z. W.; Xu, J.; Tang, D. Y.

    2011-10-01

    Three mixed crystals, Nd:GdYAG, Nd:LuYAG, and Nd:GdLuAG, were grown by Czochralski method. We report the continuous-wave (CW) Nd:GdYAG, Nd:LuYAG, and Nd:GdLuAG laser operation under laser diode pumping. The maximum output powers are 4.11, 5.31, and 7.47 W, with slope efficiency of 73.0, 55.3, and 57.1%, respectively. With replacing Lu3+ or Y3+ ions with large Gd3+ ions, the pump efficiency increases.

  11. Late Quaternary climate change shapes island biodiversity

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Weigelt, Patrick; Steinbauer, Manuel; Cabral, Juliano

    2016-01-01

    Island biogeographical models consider islands either as geologically static with biodiversity resulting from ecologically neutral immigration–extinction dynamics1, or as geologically dynamic with biodiversity resulting from immigration–speciation–extinction dynamics influenced by changes in island...... sea levels3, 4 and caused massive changes in island area, isolation and connectivity5, orders of magnitude faster than the geological processes of island formation, subsidence and erosion considered in island theory2, 6. Consequences of these oscillations for present biodiversity remain unassessed5, 7...

  12. 2nd Generation RLV Risk Definition Program

    Science.gov (United States)

    Davis, Robert M.; Stucker, Mark (Technical Monitor)

    2000-01-01

    The 2nd Generation RLV Risk Reduction Mid-Term Report summarizes the status of Kelly Space & Technology's activities during the first two and one half months of the program. This report was presented to the cognoscente Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR) and selected Marshall Space Flight Center staff members on 26 September 2000. The report has been approved and is distributed on CD-ROM (as a PowerPoint file) in accordance with the terms of the subject contract, and contains information and data addressing the following: (1) Launch services demand and requirements; (2) Architecture, alternatives, and requirements; (3) Costs, pricing, and business cases analysis; (4) Commercial financing requirements, plans, and strategy; (5) System engineering processes and derived requirements; and (6) RLV system trade studies and design analysis.

  13. Computer-aided topological analysis of Nd-Fe-B ternary system

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Liu, G.; Xu, P.; Zhang, W.

    1993-01-01

    A three-dimensional partially matrixed topological model of the Nd-Fe-B ternary phase diagram has been established based on experimental results assessed comprehensively with the aid of a computer-aided design and graphic and graphics software, AutoCAD (R10), and application programs developed in this work. Vertical sections at 5.88 at.% B, Nd:B = 1:1, Fe-Nd/sub 2/Fe/sub 14/B-Nd, Nd/sub 2/Fe/sub 17/-Nd/sub 2/Fe/sub 7/B/sub 6/ have been cut out from the model and the corresponding phase relationships have been analyzed. Among them, those on the Nd-rich protons of both the sections at 5.88 at.% B and Nd:B = 2:1 and those on the Nd/sub 2/Fe/sub 14/B-Nd section are given for the first time. (author)

  14. The Effect of Grinding and Roasting Conditions on the Selective Leaching of Nd and Dy from NdFeB Magnet Scraps

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Ho-Sung Yoon

    2015-07-01

    Full Text Available The pretreatment processes consisting of grinding followed by roasting were investigated to improve the selective leaching of Nd and Dy from neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB magnet scraps. The peaks of Nd(OH3 and Fe were observed in XRD results after grinding with NaOH as the amount of water addition increased to 5 cm3. These results indicate that the components of Nd and Fe in NdFeB magnet could be changed successfully into Nd(OH3 and Fe, respectively. In the roasting tests using the ground product, with increasing roasting temperature to 500 °C, the peaks of Nd(OH3 and Fe disappeared while those of Nd2O3 and Fe2O3 were shown. The peaks of NdFeO3 in the sample roasted at 600 °C were observed in the XRD pattern. Consequently, 94.2%, 93.1%, 1.0% of Nd, Dy, Fe were leached at 400 rpm and 90 °C in 1 kmol·m−3 acetic acid solution with 1% pulp density using a sample prepared under the following conditions: 15 in stoichiometric molar ratio of NaOH:Nd, 550 rpm in rotational grinding speed, 5 cm3 in water addition, 30 min in grinding time, 400 °C and 2 h in roasting temperature and time. The results indicate that the selective leaching of Nd and Dy from NdFeB magnet could be achieved successfully by grinding and then roasting treatments.

  15. Funding begets biodiversity

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Ahrends, Antje; Burgess, Neil David; Gereau, Roy E.

    2011-01-01

    Aim Effective conservation of biodiversity relies on an unbiased knowledge of its distribution. Conservation priority assessments are typically based on the levels of species richness, endemism and threat. Areas identified as important receive the majority of conservation investments, often...... facilitating further research that results in more species discoveries. Here, we test whether there is circularity between funding and perceived biodiversity, which may reinforce the conservation status of areas already perceived to be important while other areas with less initial funding may remain overlooked......, and variances decomposed in partial regressions. Cross-correlations are used to assess whether perceived biodiversity drives funding or vice versa. Results Funding explained 65% of variation in perceived biodiversity patterns – six times more variation than accounted for by 34 candidate environmental factors...

  16. 2. slovenski MoodleMoot = 2nd Slovenian MoodleMoot

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Viktorija Sulcic

    2008-09-01

    Full Text Available Moodle, an open source learning management system, is becoming widely used and recognised all over the world. Slovenian Moodle users have been participating and sharing their experience in the Moodle.si community since 2006. The initiator of the Moodle.si community – the Faculty of Management Koper organised the first Slovenian MoodleMoot Conference last year. The event was organised again in May 2008. The conference was organised by the Centre for E-Learning of the Faculty of Management Koper in co-operation with the Open Source Centre – Slovenia, Artesia and the National School for Leadership in Education. This paper presents the 2nd International Moodle.si Conference.

  17. Aquatic biodiversity in sedimentation ponds receiving road runoff - What are the key drivers?

    Science.gov (United States)

    Sun, Zhenhua; Brittain, John E; Sokolova, Ekaterina; Thygesen, Helene; Saltveit, Svein Jakob; Rauch, Sebastien; Meland, Sondre

    2018-01-01

    Recently, increased attention has been paid to biodiversity conservation provided by blue-green solutions such as engineered ponds that are primarily established for water treatment and flood control. However, little research has been done to analyse the factors that affect biodiversity in such ponds. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of environmental factors on aquatic biodiversity, mainly macroinvertebrate communities, in road sedimentation ponds in order to provide a foundation for recommendations on aquatic biodiversity conservation. Multivariate statistical methods, including unconstrained and constrained analysis, were applied to examine the relationships between organisms and the water quality as well as physical factors (including plant cover). Stepwise multiple regressions indicated that the most important variables governing the variation in the biological community composition were pond size, average annual daily traffic, metals, chloride, distance to the closest pond from study pond, dissolved oxygen, hydrocarbons, and phosphorus. The presence of most taxa was positively correlated with pond size and negatively correlated with metals. Small ponds with high pollutant loadings were associated with a low diversity and dominated by a few pollution tolerant taxa such as oligochaetes. A comprehensive understanding of impacts of various environmental factors on aquatic biodiversity is important to effectively promote and conserve aquatic biodiversity in such sedimentation ponds. Our results indicate that road sedimentation ponds should be designed large enough, because large ponds are likely to provide a more heterogeneous habitat and thus contain a species rich fauna. In addition, larger ponds seem to be less contaminated due to dilution compared to smaller ponds, thereby maintaining a higher biodiversity. Finally, creating some additional ponds in the vicinity of the sedimentation ponds in areas with few water bodies would increase the

  18. An animal model for Norrie disease (ND): gene targeting of the mouse ND gene.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Berger, W; van de Pol, D; Bächner, D; Oerlemans, F; Winkens, H; Hameister, H; Wieringa, B; Hendriks, W; Ropers, H H

    1996-01-01

    In order to elucidate the cellular and molecular processes which are involved in Norrie disease (ND), we have used gene targeting technology to generate ND mutant mice. The murine homologue of the ND gene was cloned and shown to encode a polypeptide that shares 94% of the amino acid sequence with its human counterpart. RNA in situ hybridization revealed expression in retina, brain and the olfactory bulb and epithelium of 2 week old mice. Hemizygous mice carrying a replacement mutation in exon 2 of the ND gene developed retrolental structures in the vitreous body and showed an overall disorganization of the retinal ganglion cell layer. The outer plexiform layer disappears occasionally, resulting in a juxtaposed inner and outer nuclear layer. At the same regions, the outer segments of the photoreceptor cell layer are no longer present. These ocular findings are consistent with observations in ND patients and the generated mouse line provides a faithful model for study of early pathogenic events in this severe X-linked recessive neurological disorder.

  19. Anomalous magnetoelastic behaviour near morphotropic phase boundary in ferromagnetic Tb{sub 1-x}Nd{sub x}Co{sub 2} system

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Murtaza, Adil; Yang, Sen, E-mail: yang.sen@mail.xjtu.edu.cn; Zhou, Chao; Chang, Tieyan; Chen, Kaiyun; Tian, Fanghua; Song, Xiaoping [School of Science, MOE Key Laboratory for Nonequilibrium Synthesis and Modulation of Condensed Matter, State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behaviour of Materials, Xi' an Jiaotong University, Xi' an 710049 (China); Suchomel, Matthrew R.; Ren, Y. [X-Ray Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois 60439 (United States)

    2016-08-01

    In this work, we report a morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) involved ferromagnetic system Tb{sub 1-x}Nd{sub x}Co{sub 2} and reveal the corresponding structural and magnetoelastic properties of this system. With high resolution synchrotron X-ray diffractometry, the crystal structure of the TbCo{sub 2}-rich side is detected to be rhombohedral and that of NdCo{sub 2}-rich side is tetragonal below their respective Curie temperatures T{sub C}. The MPB composition Tb{sub 0.35}Nd{sub 0.65}Co{sub 2} corresponds to the coexistence of the rhombohedral phase (R-phase) and tetragonal phase (T-phase). Contrary to previously reported MPB involved ferromagnetic systems, the MPB composition of Tb{sub 0.35}Nd{sub 0.65}Co{sub 2} shows minimum magnetization which can be understood as compensation of sublattice moments between the R-phase and the T-phase. Furthermore, magnetostriction of Tb{sub 1-x}Nd{sub x}Co{sub 2} decreases with increasing Nd concentration until x = 0.8 and then increases in the negative direction with further increasing Nd concentration; the optimum point for magnetoelastic properties lies towards the rhombohedral phase. Our work not only shows an anomalous type of ferromagnetic MPB but also provides an effective way to design functional materials.

  20. Uniform magnetization reversal in dual main-phase (Ce,Nd)2Fe14B sintered magnets with inhomogeneous microstructure

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Zhang, Le-le; Li, Zhu-bai; Zhang, Xue-feng; Ma, Qiang; Liu, Yan-li; Li, Yong-feng; Zhao, Qian

    2017-01-01

    The element distribution and the magnetic properties were investigated in (Ce,Nd)–Fe–B sintered magnets prepared by mixing Nd 13.5 Fe 80 B 6.5 and Ce 9 Nd 4.5 Fe 80 B 6.5 powders with different mass ratios. Two main phases exist, but element diffusion is evident, and the chemical composition of the main phase is widely different from that of the master alloy. The Ce element tends to be expelled from the Ce-rich Re 2 Fe 14 B phase. Compared with the Ce-rich main phase, the Nd-rich Re 2 Fe 14 B phase is more stable in structure. Although the microstructure is inhomogeneous and the magnetocrystalline anisotropy is variable, the magnetization reversal is uniform in these dual main-phase magnets, which should ascribe to the existence of the exchange coupling, and magnetization reversal undergoes the nucleation of the reversed domain in irreversible magnetization. It is expected to further improve the coercivity by optimizing the distribution of the Nd-rich main phase in preparing the resource-saving (Ce,Nd) 2 Fe 14 B sintered magnets. (paper)

  1. Effect of Cu addition on coercivity and interfacial state of Nd-Fe-B/Nd-rich thin films

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Matsuura, M; Sugimoto, S; Fukada, T; Tezuka, N; Goto, R

    2010-01-01

    This study provides the effect of Cu addition on coercivity (H cJ ) and interfacial microstructure in Nd-Fe-B/Nd-rich thin films. All films were deposited by using ultra high vacuum (UHV) magnetron sputtering, and the Nd-Fe-B layer was oxidized under several atmospheres with different oxygen content. Then, the films were annealed at 250-550 0 C under UHV. The films oxidized in low vacuum (10 -2 -10 -5 Pa) (under low oxygen state) exhibited the recovery of H cJ by the annealing at 450 0 C. On the contrary, the H cJ of the films oxidized in Ar (under high oxygen state) decreased with increasing annealing temperature. However, the H cJ increased drastically at the temperatures above 550 0 C. In addition, the Cu added films, which were annealed at temperatures above 350 0 C, showed higher coercivities than the films without Cu addition. The XRD analysis suggested the existence of C-Nd 2 O 3 phase in the Cu added films annealed at 550 0 C. It can be considered that the Cu addition decreases the eutectic temperature of Nd-rich phase and influences the interfacial state between Nd 2 Fe 14 B and Nd-rich phase.

  2. Biodiversity and Climate Change

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Onyango, J.C.O.; Ojoo-Massawa, E.; Abira, M.A.

    1997-01-01

    Biological diversity or biodiversity is crucial for ecological stability including regulation of climate change, recreational and medicinal use; and scientific advancement. Kenya like other developing countries, especially, those in Sub-Saharan Africa, will continue to depend greatly on her biodiversity for present and future development. This important resource must, therefore be conserved. This chapter presents an overview of Kenya's biodiversity; its importance and initiatives being undertaken for its conservation; and in detail, explores issues of climate change and biodiversity, concentrating on impacts of climate change

  3. 2nd Historic Mortars Conference

    CERN Document Server

    Hughes, John; Groot, Caspar; Historic Mortars : Characterisation, Assessment and Repair

    2012-01-01

    This volume focuses on research and practical issues connected with mortars on historic structures. The book is divided into four sections: Characterisation of Historic Mortars, Repair Mortars and Design Issues, Experimental Research into Properties of Repair Mortars, and Assessment and Testing. The papers present the latest work of researchers in their field. The individual contributions were selected from the contributions to the 2nd Historic Mortars Conference, which took place in Prague, September, 22-24, 2010. All papers were reviewed and improved as necessary before publication. This peer review process by the editors resulted in the 34 individual contributions included in here. One extra paper reviewing and summarising State-of-the-Art knowledge covered by this publication was added as a starting and navigational point for the reader. The editors believe that having these papers in print is important and they hope that it will stimulate further research into historic mortars and related subjects. 

  4. Nd{sup 3+}-doped colloidal SiO{sub 2} composite abrasives: Synthesis and the effects on chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) performances of sapphire wafers

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Liu, Tingting; Lei, Hong, E-mail: hong_lei2005@aliyun.com

    2017-08-15

    Highlights: • The novel Nd{sup 3+}-doped colloidal SiO{sub 2} abrasives were synthesized by seed-introduced method. • The Nd{sup 3+}-doped colloidal SiO{sub 2} abrasives exhibited lower Ra and higher MRR on sapphire during CMP. • The cores SiO{sub 2} were coated by the shells (SiO{sub 2}, Nd{sub 2}Si{sub 2}O{sub 7} and Nd(OH){sub 3}) via chemical bonds and hydrogen bonds. • XPS analysis revealed the solid-state chemical reaction between Nd{sup 3+}-doped colloidal SiO{sub 2} abrasives and sapphire during CMP. - Abstract: Abrasive is one of the most important factors in chemical mechanical polishing (CMP). In order to improve the polishing qualities of sapphire substrates, the novel Nd{sup 3+}-doped colloidal SiO{sub 2} composite abrasives were prepared by seed-induced growth method. In this work, there were a series of condensation reactions during the synthesis process of Nd{sup 3+}-doped colloidal SiO{sub 2} composite abrasives and the silica cores were coated by shells (which contains SiO{sub 2}, Nd{sub 2}Si{sub 2}O{sub 7} and Nd(OH){sub 3}) via chemical bonds and hydrogen bonds in the Nd{sup 3+}-doped colloidal SiO{sub 2} composite abrasives, which made the composite abrasives’ core-shell structure more sTable Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that Nd{sup 3+}-doped colloidal SiO{sub 2} composite abrasives were spherical and uniform in size. And the acting mechanisms of Nd{sup 3+}-doped colloidal SiO{sub 2} composite abrasives on sapphire in CMP were investigated. Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy (TOF-SIMS) analysis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis demonstrated that the solid-state chemical reactions between the shells (which contained SiO{sub 2}, Nd{sub 2}Si{sub 2}O{sub 7} and Nd(OH){sub 3}) of Nd{sup 3+}-doped colloidal SiO{sub 2} composite abrasives and the sapphire occurred during the CMP process. Furthermore, Nd{sup 3+}-doped colloidal SiO{sub 2} composite abrasives exhibited lower surface roughness and

  5. Anomalous behavior of spin fluctuations in polycrystalline NdBa_2Cu_3O_7-δ

    Science.gov (United States)

    Abdelrazek, M. M.; Reyes, A. P.; Kuhns, P. L.; Moulton, W. G.; Halperin, W. P.; Kishio, K.

    2001-03-01

    Critical slowing down of Nd spin fluctuations have been observed in 92K superconductor NdBa_2Cu_3O_7-δ at temperatures well below Tc and orders of magnitude higher than TN ( ~0.5K). Nuclear spin-lattice relaxation rate 1/T1 at the planar O(2,3) and bridging O(4) oxygen sites have been measured as a function of temperature in fields up to 37T. Data is characterized by an extremely fast relaxation, roughly two orders of magnitude larger than those of YBCO, suggestive of Nd origin. The temperature dependence shows neither Tc nor the pseudo-gap but rather a well-defined field-dependent peak for both sites. Preliminary analysis suggests 1/T1 follows the typical behavior of freezing of spin fluctuations, when the inverse correlation time of the Nd spins τc becomes comparable to NMR frequency, ω τc ~ 1. The field dependence originates from the tail of the power spectrum beyond the 1/τc cutoff. The implications of these results to superconductivity in these systems will be discussed.

  6. Biodiverse planting for carbon and biodiversity on indigenous land.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Renwick, Anna R; Robinson, Catherine J; Martin, Tara G; May, Tracey; Polglase, Phil; Possingham, Hugh P; Carwardine, Josie

    2014-01-01

    Carbon offset mechanisms have been established to mitigate climate change through changes in land management. Regulatory frameworks enable landowners and managers to generate saleable carbon credits on domestic and international markets. Identifying and managing the associated co-benefits and dis-benefits involved in the adoption of carbon offset projects is important for the projects to contribute to the broader goal of sustainable development and the provision of benefits to the local communities. So far it has been unclear how Indigenous communities can benefit from such initiatives. We provide a spatial analysis of the carbon and biodiversity potential of one offset method, planting biodiverse native vegetation, on Indigenous land across Australia. We discover significant potential for opportunities for Indigenous communities to achieve carbon sequestration and biodiversity goals through biodiverse plantings, largely in southern and eastern Australia, but the economic feasibility of these projects depend on carbon market assumptions. Our national scale cost-effectiveness analysis is critical to enable Indigenous communities to maximise the benefits available to them through participation in carbon offset schemes.

  7. Intergenerational Transmission and the School-to-work Transition for 2nd Generation Immigrants

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Nielsen, Helena Skyt; Rosholm, Michael; Smith, Nina

    2001-01-01

    We analyse the extent of intergenerational transmission through parental capital, ethnic capital and neighbourhood effects on several aspects of the school-to-work transition of 2nd generation immigrants and young ethnic Danes. The main findings are that parental capital has strong positive effects...... on the probability of completing a qualifying education and on the entry into the labour market, but it has a much smaller impact on the duration of the first employment spell and on the wage level. Growing up in neighbourhoods with a high concentration of immigrants is associated with negative labour market...... prospects both for young natives and 2nd generation immigrants....

  8. Growth and characterization of Nd-doped disordered Ca3Gd2(BO3)4 crystal

    Science.gov (United States)

    Pan, Z. B.; Zhang, H. J.; Yu, H. H.; Xu, M.; Zhang, Y. Y.; Sun, S. Q.; Wang, J. Y.; Wang, Q.; Wei, Z. Y.; Zhang, Z. G.

    2012-01-01

    A high-quality disordered Nd3+:Ca3Gd2(BO3)4 (Nd3+:CGB) laser crystal was grown by the Czochralski method. The space group and effective segregation coefficient of Nd3+ were determined to be Pnma and 1.06, respectively. The thermal properties, including the average linear thermal expansion coefficient, thermal diffusivity, specific heat, and thermal conductivity were systematically measured for the first time. It was found that the thermal conductivity increases with increasing temperature, indicating glasslike behavior. The polarized spectral properties of the crystal were investigated, including the polarized absorption spectra, polarized fluorescence spectra, and fluorescence decay. The spectroscopic parameters of Nd3+ ions in Nd3+:CGB crystal have been obtained based on Judd-Ofelt theory. The anisotropy of the spectral properties for different polarized directions was discussed. Additionally, the continuous-wave (CW) laser performance at 1.06 μm was demonstrated for the first time. The maximum output power of 603 mW was achieved with corresponding optical conversion efficiency of 8.33% and slope efficiency of 9.95%.

  9. 2nd Applied Electromagnetic International Conference

    CERN Document Server

    Sulaiman, Hamzah; Othman, Mohd; Aziz, Mohamad; Malek, Mohd

    2017-01-01

    In this book, experts from academia and industry present the latest advances in scientific theory relating to applied electromagnetics and examine current and emerging applications particularly within the fields of electronics, communications, and computer technology. The book is based on presentations delivered at APPEIC 2015, the 2nd Applied Electromagnetic International Conference, held in Krabi, Thailand in December 2015. The conference provided an ideal platform for researchers and specialists to deliver both theoretically and practically oriented contributions on a wide range of topics relevant to the theme of nurturing applied electromagnetics for human technology. Many novel aspects were addressed, and the contributions selected for this book highlight the relevance of advances in applied electromagnetics to a variety of industrial engineering problems and identify exciting future directions for research.

  10. Shape transition in the Nd-isotopes

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Sandor, Robert Karl Josef.

    1991-01-01

    In this thesis the results of an electron scattering experiment on 142 Nd, 146 Nd and 150 Nd, designed to study the influence of this shape transition an the low-lying excited states, have been presented and discussed. The spectra have been obtained at the high-resolution electron scattering facility of NIKHEF-K and cover a momentum transfer range from 0.5 up to 2.8 fm -1 . The experimental form factors and transition charge densities have been compared to two microscopic models, i.e. the Quasiparticle-Phonon Model for 142 Nd and 146 Nd and the Density-Dependent Hartree-Fock-Boguliubov model with a dynamical approach to calculate transition charge densities for 146 Nd and 150 Nd. The data obtained for the latter nuclei have also been compared to the macroscopic Rotation-Vibration Model. (author). 127 refs.; 49 figs.; 26 tabs

  11. Tannic acid alleviates bulk and nanoparticle Nd2O3 toxicity in pumpkin: a physiological and molecular response.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Chen, Guangcai; Ma, Chuanxin; Mukherjee, Arnab; Musante, Craig; Zhang, Jianfeng; White, Jason C; Dhankher, Om Parkash; Xing, Baoshan

    2016-11-01

    The effect of dissolved organic matter (DOM) on nanoparticle toxicity to plants is poorly understood. In this study, tannic acid (TA) was selected as a DOM surrogate to explore the mechanisms of neodymium oxide NPs (Nd2O3 NPs) phytotoxicity to pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima). The results from the tested concentrations showed that 100 mg L(-1) Nd2O3 NPs were significantly toxic to pumpkin in term of fresh biomass, and the similar results from the bulk particles and the ionic treatments were also evident. Exposure to 100 mg L(-1) of Nd2O3 NPs and BPs in 1/5 strength Hoagland's solution not only significantly inhibited pumpkin growth, but also decreased the S, Ca, K and Mg levels in plant tissues. However, 60 mg L(-1) TA significantly moderated the observed phytotoxicity, decreased Nd accumulation in the roots, and notably restored S, Ca, K and Mg levels in NPs and BPs treated pumpkin. TA at 60 mg L(-1) increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in both roots (17.5%) and leaves (42.9%), and catalase (CAT) activity (243.1%) in the roots exposed to Nd2O3 NPs. This finding was confirmed by the observed up-regulation of transcript levels of SOD and CAT in Nd2O3 NPs treated pumpkin analyzed by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. These results suggest that TA alleviates Nd2O3 BPs/NPs toxicity through alteration of the particle surface charge, thus reducing the contact and uptake of NPs by pumpkin. In addition, TA promotes antioxidant enzymatic activity by elevating the transcript levels of genes involved in ROS scavenging. Our results shed light on the mechanisms underlying the influence of DOM on the bioavailability and toxicity of NPs to terrestrial plants.

  12. Digest of Education Statistics 2016, 52nd Edition. NCES 2017-094

    Science.gov (United States)

    Snyder, Thomas D.; de Brey, Cristobal; Dillow, Sally A.

    2018-01-01

    The 2016 edition of the "Digest of Education Statistics" is the 52nd in a series of publications initiated in 1962. The "Digest" has been issued annually except for combined editions for the years 1977-78, 1983-84, and 1985-86. Its primary purpose is to provide a compilation of statistical information covering the broad field…

  13. Phase stability and oxygen diffusion in RBa2Cu3O6+x (R=Y, Nd)

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Mozhaev, A.P.; Mazo, G.N.; Galkin, A.A.; Khromova, N.V.

    1996-01-01

    Phase stability boundaries of RBa 2 Cu 3 O 6 + x (R=Y, Nd) compounds for oxygen partial pressure wide range were determined by means of Coulomb titration. Phase decomposition is shown to occur without formation of liquid phase. Principial differences in the chemical composition of decomposition product of Y- and Nd-containing phases were detected. Dependences of oxygen non-stoichiometry of the compounds on temperature were determined. Fragments of P o 2 -T-x-diagrams were plotted. Oxygen diffusion coefficients within wide range of temperatures and partial pressures of oxygen were determined. Dependence of diffusion parameters on oxygen non-stoichiometry and P o 2 was determined. Oxygen diffusion was determined to occur more rapidly in orthorhombic phase than in tetragonal one. Diffusion coefficients were shown to increase at transition from Y-to Nd-containing phase. 13 refs., 6 figs., 2 tabs

  14. Formation of defect-fluorite structured NdNiOxHy epitaxial thin films via a soft chemical route from NdNiO3 precursors.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Onozuka, T; Chikamatsu, A; Katayama, T; Fukumura, T; Hasegawa, T

    2016-07-26

    A new phase of oxyhydride NdNiOxHy with a defect-fluorite structure was obtained by a soft chemical reaction of NdNiO3 epitaxial thin films on a substrate of SrTiO3 (100) with CaH2. The epitaxial relationship of this phase relative to SrTiO3 could be controlled by changing the reaction temperature. At 240 °C, NdNiOxHy grew with a [001] orientation, forming a thin layer of infinite-layer NdNiO2 at the interface between the NdNiOxHy and the substrate. Meanwhile, a high-temperature reaction at 400 °C formed [110]-oriented NdNiOxHy without NdNiO2.

  15. Influence of Nd-Doping on Photocatalytic Properties of TiO2 Nanoparticles and Thin Film Coatings

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Damian Wojcieszak

    2014-01-01

    Full Text Available Structural, optical, and photocatalytic properties of TiO2 and TiO2:Nd nanopowders and thin films composed of those materials have been compared. Titania nanoparticles with 1, 3, and 6 at. % of Nd-dopant were synthesized by sol-gel method. Additionally, thin films with the same material composition were prepared with the aid of spin-coating method. The analysis of structural investigations revealed that all as-prepared nanopowders were nanocrystalline and had TiO2-anatase structure. The average size of crystallites was ca. 4-5 nm and the correlation between the amount of neodymium and the size of TiO2 crystallites was observed. It was shown that the dopant content influenced the agglomeration of the nanoparticles. The results of photocatalytic decomposition of MO showed that doping with Nd (especially in the amount of 3 at. % increased self-cleaning activity of the prepared titania nanopowder. Similar effect was received in case of the thin films, but the decomposition rate was lower due to their smaller active surface area. However, the as-prepared TiO2:Nd photocatalyst in the form of thin films or nanopowders seems to be a very attractive material for various applications.

  16. Microstructural investigation of RBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7/-delta (R=Y, Gd, Nd)

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Parent, L; Moreau, C; Noel, D; Dallaire, S; Champagne, B

    1989-01-01

    RBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7-delta/ perovskites, where R is Y, Gd and Nd, were synthetized using the same experimental conditions. The resistivity curves of the three compounds were similar but their microstructures were different. Secondary phases (CuO, BaCuO/sub 2/) were formed in the compounds containing Y and Gd while no such phases were detected in the Nd perovskite material. According to these preliminary results, the perovskite containing Nd is readily synthesized since the amount of secondary phases is much lower in that case. 7 refs., 4 figs., 1 tab.

  17. Effects of Nd:YAG and CO2 lasers on cerebral microvasculature. Study in normal rabbit brain.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Kuroiwa, T; Tsuyumu, M; Takei, H; Inaba, Y

    1986-01-01

    The effect of Nd:YAG and CO2 laser beams on cerebral microvasculature was examined in experimental animals. Soft x-ray microangiography and histological examination of the brain after Nd:YAG laser exposure revealed broad avascular or oligovascular zones in the irradiated and the surrounding edematous tissue, in which the surviving vessels were narrowed and tapered without significant leakage of blood. After CO2 laser exposure, a wedge-shaped tissue defect surrounded by layers of charring, coagulation, and edema was observed. The main finding in the surrounding coagulation and edematous layers was dilatation of the vessels. Hemorrhage was sometimes observed, mainly in the edematous layer. These findings seem to explain the effective hemostatic capability of the Nd:YAG laser and the occasional hemorrhage following CO2 laser exposure, especially at high energy output.

  18. Strategic Program for Biodiversity and Water Resource Management and Climate Change Adaptation in Pakistan

    Science.gov (United States)

    Sher, Hassan; Aldosari, Ali

    2014-05-01

    Population pressure, climate change and resulting extreme weather scenarios, armed con?ict and economic pressure have put the situation of Pakistan's biodiversity at risk. Melting glaciers, deforestation, erosion, landslides and depletion of agricultural areas are aggravating the regulation of water ?ow in Pakistan. In Pakistan agro-biodiversity is central to human survival and play vital role in the economy of the country. It contributes 21% to the GDP, employs 45% of the labor force and contributes 71% of the export earnings. Agro- biodiversity in Pakistan is greatly affected by short term climate variability and could be harmed signi?cantly by long-term climate change. As the duration of crop growth cycle is related to temperature, an increase in temperature will speed up crop growth and shorten the duration between sowing and harvesting. This shortening could have an adverse effect on productivity of crops. The present assessment also revealed that hydrological cycle is also likely to be in?uenced by global warming. Since the agricultural crops are heavily dependent on the water, and water resources are inextricably linked with climate; therefore, the projected climate change has serious implications for water resources of the country. The freshwater resources, in Pakistan, are based on snow- and glacier-melt and monsoon rains, both being highly sensitive to climate change. The country speci?c current information strongly suggests that: decrease in glacier volume and snow cover leading to alterations in the seasonal ?ow pattern of Indus River System; increased annual ?ows for a few decades followed by decline in ?ows in subsequent years; increase in the formation and burst of glacial lakes; higher frequency and intensity of extreme climate events coupled with irregular monsoon rains causing frequent ?oods and droughts; and greater demand of water due to higher evapotranspiration rates at elevated temperatures. These trends will have large impact on the spatial

  19. Micromagnetic finite element study for magnetic properties of nanocomposite exchange coupled Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B/α-Fe multilayer systems

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Ryo, Hyok-Su [School of Material Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001 (China); Faculty of Physics, Kim Il Sung University, Pyongyang 999093, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (Korea, Republic of); Hu, Lian-Xi [School of Material Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001 (China); Kim, Jin-Guk [School of Material Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001 (China); Faculty of Physics, Kim Il Sung University, Pyongyang 999093, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (Korea, Republic of); Yang, Yu-Lin [School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001 (China)

    2017-03-15

    In this study, magnetic properties of exchange coupled nanocomposite multilayer thin films constructed alternately with magnetic hard Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B layers and soft α-Fe layers have been studied by micromagnetic finite element method (FEM). According to the results, effects of the thicknesses of layers and the magneto-crystalline anisotropy on the magnetic properties of the Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B/α-Fe multilayer systems have been estimated. On the other hand, the results have been analyzed by means of efficiency of interphase exchange coupling, which can be estimated by volume ratios of exchange coupled areas between magnetically hard Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B and soft α-Fe phase layers. The results show that the magnetic properties of exchange coupled Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B/α-Fe multilayer systems can be enhanced by efficient interphase exchange coupling between magnetically hard Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B layers and soft α-Fe layers. - Highlights: • Phase layer thicknesses dependence of magnetic properties of Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B/α-Fe multilayers. • Analyzation of the effectiveness of exchange coupling between the Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B and α-Fe layers. • Dependence of the magnetic properties on direction of external field of exchange coupled Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B/α-Fe multilayers. • Dependence of the magnetic properties on magneto-crystalline anisotropy of exchange coupled Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B/α-Fe multilayers.

  20. Concluding remarks: overall impacts on biodiversity and future perspectives for conservation in the Pantanal biome

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    CJR. Alho

    Full Text Available The Pantanal biome is characterised by seasonal flooding which determines specific ecosystem processes, with the occurrence of adapted plants and animals to the annual shrinking and expansion of habitats due to the seasonal hydrological regime. Biodiversity abundance varies during the dry and wet seasons. The Pantanal's biodiversity is a fundamental component of ecosystem services for human society, including nutrient cycling, fish production, ecotourism, carbon storage, flood control, among others, which are relevant to regional and global environmental consequences. The biome has been impacted by the conversion of natural vegetation into agricultural fields and pasture for cattle raising, with alteration and loss of natural habitats and biodiversity. Major negative impacts occur in uplands, with drastic deforestation of savanna vegetation, where main rivers feeding the Pantanal have their springs. This article discusses future needs and priorities for ecological research, in order to better understand the biome's natural system, to achieve conservation and sustainable use.

  1. Concluding remarks: overall impacts on biodiversity and future perspectives for conservation in the Pantanal biome.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Alho, C J R

    2011-04-01

    The Pantanal biome is characterised by seasonal flooding which determines specific ecosystem processes, with the occurrence of adapted plants and animals to the annual shrinking and expansion of habitats due to the seasonal hydrological regime. Biodiversity abundance varies during the dry and wet seasons. The Pantanal's biodiversity is a fundamental component of ecosystem services for human society, including nutrient cycling, fish production, ecotourism, carbon storage, flood control, among others, which are relevant to regional and global environmental consequences. The biome has been impacted by the conversion of natural vegetation into agricultural fields and pasture for cattle raising, with alteration and loss of natural habitats and biodiversity. Major negative impacts occur in uplands, with drastic deforestation of savanna vegetation, where main rivers feeding the Pantanal have their springs. This article discusses future needs and priorities for ecological research, in order to better understand the biome's natural system, to achieve conservation and sustainable use.

  2. The Biodiversity Informatics Potential Index

    Science.gov (United States)

    2011-01-01

    Background Biodiversity informatics is a relatively new discipline extending computer science in the context of biodiversity data, and its development to date has not been uniform throughout the world. Digitizing effort and capacity building are costly, and ways should be found to prioritize them rationally. The proposed 'Biodiversity Informatics Potential (BIP) Index' seeks to fulfill such a prioritization role. We propose that the potential for biodiversity informatics be assessed through three concepts: (a) the intrinsic biodiversity potential (the biological richness or ecological diversity) of a country; (b) the capacity of the country to generate biodiversity data records; and (c) the availability of technical infrastructure in a country for managing and publishing such records. Methods Broadly, the techniques used to construct the BIP Index were rank correlation, multiple regression analysis, principal components analysis and optimization by linear programming. We built the BIP Index by finding a parsimonious set of country-level human, economic and environmental variables that best predicted the availability of primary biodiversity data accessible through the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) network, and constructing an optimized model with these variables. The model was then applied to all countries for which sufficient data existed, to obtain a score for each country. Countries were ranked according to that score. Results Many of the current GBIF participants ranked highly in the BIP Index, although some of them seemed not to have realized their biodiversity informatics potential. The BIP Index attributed low ranking to most non-participant countries; however, a few of them scored highly, suggesting that these would be high-return new participants if encouraged to contribute towards the GBIF mission of free and open access to biodiversity data. Conclusions The BIP Index could potentially help in (a) identifying countries most likely to

  3. [Employment and education in the 2nd economic and social development plan of Togo].

    Science.gov (United States)

    Dovi-sodemekou, F B

    1985-01-01

    Togo is a developing country whose population is increasing at the rapid rate of 2.7%/year. Economic development is therefore a necessity to ensure at least an average standard of living. Plans of development include objectives of structural societal changes, including improvements in education and employment. This study analyzes the evolution of population activities. It identifies obstacles to the improvement of education and employment. The investigation examines the employment and education situation before adoption of the 2nd plan of Togo and predicts the probable evolution of the situation. Despite the priority accorded to agriculture, the 2nd plan appears to give greater importance to industry. The industrial and commercial sector has witnessed a 65.2% investment increase, whereas the rural sector had an investment increase of 11.8%. The 2nd plan, in view of its relation to the evolution of economic activities, took into account the demand for manual labor. In the private sector, industries should occupy an important position. The dualism of a modern and a traditional sector is considered a cause of underdevelopment. The modern sector should be developed in order to suppress the traditional sector and allow progress in society. As a result of this approach, agriculture is given a 2ndary role.

  4. Essential Biodiversity Variables: A framework for communication between the biodiversity community and space agencies

    Science.gov (United States)

    Leidner, A. K.; Skidmore, A. K.; Turner, W. W.; Geller, G. N.

    2017-12-01

    The biodiversity community is working towards developing a consensus on a set of Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBVs) that can be used to measure and monitor biodiversity change over time. These EBVs will inform research, modeling, policy, and assessment efforts. The synoptic coverage provided by satellite data make remote sensing a particularly important observation tool to inform many EBVs. Biodiversity is a relatively new subject matter for space agencies, and thus the definition, description, and requirements of EBVs with a significant remote sensing component can foster ways for the biodiversity community to clearly and concisely communicate observational needs to space agencies and the Committee on Earth Observing Satellites (CEOS, the international coordinating body for civilian space agencies). Here, we present an overview of EBVs with a particular emphasis on those for which remote sensing will play a significant role and also report on the results of recent workshops to prioritize and refine EBVs. Our goal is to provide a framework for the biodiversity community to coalesce around a set of observational needs to convey to space agencies. Compared to many physical science disciplines, the biodiversity community represents a wide range of sub-disciplines and organizations (academia, non-governmental organizations, research institutes, national and local natural resource management agencies, etc.), which creates additional challenges when communicating needs to space agencies unfamiliar with the topic. EBVs thus offer a communication pathway that could increase awareness within space agencies of the uses of remote sensing for biodiversity research and applications, which in turn could foster greater use of remote sensing in the broader biodiversity community.

  5. Electronic properties of Nd2−xCexCuO4+δ: A hard X-ray photoemission investigation

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Guarino, A.; Panaccione, G.; Offi, F.; Monaco, G.; Fondacaro, A.; Torelli, P.; Fittipaldi, R.; Vecchione, A.; Pace, S.; Nigro, A.

    2016-01-01

    Highlights: • We grow and characterize Nd 2−x Ce x CuO 4+δ samples as thin film and single crystal. • We study the Cu 2p levels of our samples by hard X-ray photoemission spectroscopy. • We investigate bulk features of the Nd 2−x Ce x CuO 4+δ samples. • Signature of the bulk response is correlated with the crystallinity of the samples. - Abstract: Cu 2p core levels spectra measured by X-ray photoemission spectroscopy of selected as-grown Nd 2−x Ce x CuO 4+δ samples are presented and discussed. The presence of a satellite peak in the 2p core level of Nd 2−x Ce x CuO 4+δ single crystal by hard X-ray photoemission is confirmed in all non-superconducting samples, films and single crystals investigated in this work. The comparison of the spectral features of the different samples suggests that the presence and the intensity of this satellite peak is not related to the electric transport properties, but to the texture characteristics.

  6. Making the case for biodiversity in South Africa: Re-framing biodiversity communications

    OpenAIRE

    Maze, Kristal; Barnett, Mandy; Botts, Emily A.; Stephens, Anthea; Freedman, Mike; Guenther, Lars

    2016-01-01

    Background: Biodiversity education and public awareness do not always contain the motivational messages that inspire action amongst decision-makers. Traditional messages from the biodiversity sector are often framed around threat, with a generally pessimistic tone. Aspects of social marketing can be used to support positive messaging that is more likely to inspire action amongst the target audience. Objectives: The South African biodiversity sector embarked on a market research process to ...

  7. Photocatalytic characteristics for the nanocrystalline TiO{sub 2} on the Ag-doped CaAl{sub 2}O{sub 4}:(Eu,Nd) phosphor

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Kim, Jung-Sik, E-mail: jskim@uos.ac.kr; Sung, Hyun-Je; Kim, Bum-Joon

    2015-04-15

    Highlights: • The photocatalytic reactivity of the TiO{sub 2}-coated on the Ag-doped long-lasting phosphor (CaAl{sub 2}O{sub 4}:Eu{sup 2+},Nd{sup 3+}). • The photodecomposition of benzene gas under visible light irradiation. • The TiO{sub 2}-coated on the Ag-doped long-lasting phosphor showed much higher photocatalytic reactivity. • The light emitted from the long-lasting phosphors contributed to the photo generation of TiO{sub 2}. - Abstract: This study investigated the photocatalytic behavior of nanocrystalline TiO{sub 2} deposited on Ag-doped long-lasting phosphor (CaAl{sub 2}O{sub 4}:Eu{sup 2+},Nd{sup 3+}). The CaAl{sub 2}O{sub 4}:Eu{sup 2+},Nd{sup 3+} phosphor powders were prepared via conventional sintering using CaCO{sub 3}, Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}, Eu{sub 2}O{sub 3}, and Nd{sub 2}O{sub 3} as raw materials according to the appropriate molar ratios. Silver nanoparticles were loaded on the phosphor by mixing with an aqueous Ag-dispersion solution. Nanocrystalline TiO{sub 2} was deposited on Ag-doped CaAl{sub 2}O{sub 4}:Eu{sup 2+},Nd{sup 3+} powders via low-pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD). The TiO{sub 2} coated on the phosphor was actively photo-reactive under irradiation with visible light and showed much faster benzene degradation than pure TiO{sub 2}, which is almost non-reactive. The coupling of TiO{sub 2} with phosphor may result in an energy band bending in the junction region, which then induces the TiO{sub 2} crystal at the interface to be photo-reactive under irradiation with visible light. In addition, the intermetallic compound of CaTiO{sub 3} that formed at the interface between TiO{sub 2} and the CaAl{sub 2}O{sub 4}:(Eu{sup 2+},Nd{sup 3+}) phosphor results in the formation of oxygen vacancies and additional electrons that promote the photodecomposition of benzene gas. The addition of Ag nanoparticles enhanced the photocatalytic reactivity of the TiO{sub 2}/CaAl{sub 2}O{sub 4}:Eu{sup 2+},Nd{sup 3+} phosphor. TiO{sub 2} on the Ag

  8. Structure and magnetic properties of hot deformed Nd2Fe14B magnets doped with DyHx nanoparticles

    Science.gov (United States)

    Wang, C. G.; Yue, M.; Zhang, D. T.; Liu, W. Q.; Zhang, J. X.

    2016-04-01

    Commercial NdFeB powders mixed with DyHx nanoparticles are hot pressed and hot deformed into anisotropic magnets by Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS). The hot deformed magnet exhibits strong c-axis crystallographic texture. The coercivity of the magnet doped with 1.0 wt% DyHx is increased by 66.7%, compared with the magnet without DyHx, while the remanence decreases only by 3%. TEM observation shows that there exists a continuous (Nd,Dy)2Fe14B layer between Nd-rich phase and NdFeB main phase.

  9. Crystal-field energy level analysis for Nd{sup 3+} ions at the low symmetry C{sub 1} site in [Nd(hfa){sub 4}(H{sub 2}O)](N(C{sub 2}H{sub 5}){sub 4}) single crystals

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Mech, Agnieszka; Gajek, Zbigniew [Institute of Low Temperature and Structure Research, Polish Academy Of Sciences, ulica Okolna 2, 54-422 Wroclaw (Poland); Karbowiak, Miroslaw [Faculty of Chemistry, University of Wroclaw, ulica F Joliot-Curie 14, 50-383 Wroclaw (Poland); Rudowicz, Czeslaw [Institute of Physics, Szczecin University of Technology, Aleja Piastow 17, 70-310 Szczecin (Poland)], E-mail: karb@wchuwr.pl

    2008-09-24

    Optical absorption measurements of Nd{sup 3+} ions in single crystals of [Nd(hfa){sub 4}(H{sub 2}O)](N(C{sub 2}H{sub 5}){sub 4}) (hfa = hexafluoroacetyloacetonate), denoted Nd(hfa) for short, have been carried out at 4.2 and 298 K. This compound crystallizes in the monoclinic system (space group P 2{sub 1}/n). Each Nd ion is coordinated to eight oxygen atoms that originate from the hexafluoroacetylacetonate ligands and one oxygen atom from the water molecule. A total of 85 experimental crystal-field (CF) energy levels arising from the Nd{sup 3+} (4f{sup 3}) electronic configuration were identified in the optical spectra and assigned. A three-step CF analysis was carried out in terms of a parametric Hamiltonian for the actual C{sub 1} symmetry at the Nd{sup 3+} ion sites. In the first step, a total of 27 CF parameters (CFPs) in the Wybourne notation B{sub kq}, admissible by group theory, were determined in a preliminary fitting constrained by the angular overlap model predictions. The resulting CFP set was reduced to 24 specific independent CFPs using appropriate standardization transformations. Optimizations of the second-rank CFPs and extended scanning of the parameter space were employed in the second step to improve reliability of the CFP sets, which is rather a difficult task in the case of no site symmetry. Finally, seven free-ion parameters and 24 CFPs were freely varied, yielding an rms deviation between the calculated energy levels and the 85 observed ones of 11.1 cm{sup -1}. Our approach also allows prediction of the energy levels of Nd{sup 3+} ions that are hidden in the spectral range overlapping with strong ligand absorption, which is essential for understanding the inter-ionic energy transfer. The orientation of the axis system associated with the fitted CF parameters w.r.t. the crystallographic axes is established. The procedure adopted in our calculations may be considered as a general framework for analysis of CF levels of lanthanide ions at low

  10. Effects of thickness and annealing condition on magnetic properties and thermal stabilities of Ta/Nd/NdFeB/Nd/Ta sandwiched films

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Liu Wen-Feng; Zhang Min-Gang; Zhang Ke-Wei; Zhang Hai-Jie; Chai Yue-Sheng; Xu Xiao-Hong

    2016-01-01

    Ta/Nd/NdFeB/Nd/Ta sandwiched films are deposited by magnetron sputtering on Si (100) substrates, and subsequently annealed in vacuum at different temperatures for different time. It is found that both the thickness of NdFeB and Nd layer and the annealing condition can affect the magnetic properties of Ta/Nd/NdFeB/Nd/Ta films. Interestingly, the thickness and annealing temperature show the relevant behaviors that can affect the magnetic properties of the film. The high coercivity of 24.1 kOe (1 Oe = 79.5775 A/m) and remanence ratio (remanent magnetization/saturation magnetization) of 0.94 can be obtained in a Ta/Nd(250 nm)/NdFeB(600 nm)/Nd(250 nm)/Ta film annealed for 3 min at 1023 K. In addition, the thermal stability of the film is also linked to the thickness of NdFeB and Nd layer and the annealing temperature as well. The excellent thermal stability can be achieved in a Ta/Nd(250 nm)/NdFeB(600 nm)/Nd(250 nm)/Ta film annealed at 1023 K. (paper)

  11. Phase evolution and aqueous durability of Zr{sub 1−x−y}Ce{sub x}Nd{sub y}O{sub 2−y/2} ceramics designed to immobilize actinides with multi-valences

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Ding, Yi, E-mail: dingyi2279@126.com [Institute of Nuclear Physics and Chemistry, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang, Sichuan, 621900 (China); Key Subject Laboratory of National Defense for Radioactive Waste and Environmental Security, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621010 (China); Long, Xinggui, E-mail: xingguil@caep.cn [Institute of Nuclear Physics and Chemistry, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang, Sichuan, 621900 (China); Peng, Shuming [Institute of Nuclear Physics and Chemistry, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang, Sichuan, 621900 (China); Zhang, Dong, E-mail: zd0823@sina.com [Institute of Nuclear Physics and Chemistry, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang, Sichuan, 621900 (China); Tan, Zhaoyi [Institute of Nuclear Physics and Chemistry, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang, Sichuan, 621900 (China); Lu, Xirui [Key Subject Laboratory of National Defense for Radioactive Waste and Environmental Security, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621010 (China)

    2017-04-15

    Zr{sub 1−x−y}Ce{sub x}Nd{sub y}O{sub 2−y/2} ceramics, which were designed as waste form materials, were obtained by simultaneous substitution of Ce{sup 4+} and Nd{sup 3+} for Zr{sup 4+} in ZrO{sub 2}. The influences of the simultaneous substitution of Ce and Nd on phase transformation of ZrO{sub 2} were investigated systematically. Also, the aqueous durability of the ceramics was evaluated. The results show that the phase transformation caused by the simultaneous substitution mainly relates to the total content of Ce and Nd. The ZrO{sub 2} ceramics containing Ce + Nd < 30 mol% exhibit both monoclinic and cubic phases, while the ceramics containing Ce + Nd ≥ 30 mol% are cubic phase. And the cubic phase can be stabilized by incorporating 30 mol% Ce + Nd. Moreover, LR{sub i} are modified by the incorporation of Ce and Nd, because of the presence of oxygen vacancies. The Nd and Ce co-doped zirconia waste form exhibit excellent aqueous durability (∼10{sup −5} g m{sup −2} d{sup −1}). - Highlights: •Zr{sub 1−x−y}Ce{sub x}Nd{sub y}O{sub 2−y/2} were obtained by substitution of Ce and Nd for Zr in ZrO{sub 2}. •Phase transformation mainly relates to the total content of Ce and Nd. •Samples with Ce + Nd < 30 mol% show monoclinic and cubic phases, while ≥30 mol% are cubic. •Stabilized cubic zirconia can be obtained by doping with 30 mol% Ce and Nd. •LR{sub Ce} and LR{sub Nd} (42 d) are ∼ 10{sup −5} g m{sup −2} d{sup −1}, exhibiting excellent aqueous durability.

  12. Study on magnetic properties of (Nd{sub 0.8}Ce{sub 0.2}){sub 2−x}Fe{sub 12}Co{sub 2}B (x = 0–0.6) alloys

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Tan, G.S.; Xu, H., E-mail: huixu8888@shu.edu.cn; Yu, L.Y.; Tan, X.H.; Zhang, Q.; Gu, Y.; Hou, X.L.

    2017-09-01

    Highlights: • (Nd{sub 0.8}Ce{sub 0.2}){sub 2−x}Fe{sub 12}Co{sub 2}B alloys are prepared by melt-spinning method with simultaneously decreasing of Nd, Ce concentration. • The magnetic properties B{sub r}, (BH){sub max} and squareness are all improved with an appropriate reduction of Nd, Ce concentration. • Magnetic field heat treatment offers a significant improvement in B{sub r}, (BH){sub max} and squareness. - Abstract: In the present work, (Nd{sub 0.8}Ce{sub 0.2}){sub 2−x}Fe{sub 12}Co{sub 2}B (x = 0–0.6) permanent alloys are prepared by melt-spinning method. The hard magnetic properties of (Nd{sub 0.8}Ce{sub 0.2}){sub 2−x}Fe{sub 12}Co{sub 2}B (x = 0–0.6) alloys annealed at optimum temperatures have been investigated systematically. Depending on the Nd, Ce concentration, the maximum energy product ((BH){sub max}) and remanence (B{sub r}) increase gradually with x in the range of 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.4, whereas decrease gradually in the alloys with 0.4 < x ≤ 0.6. It is found that the optimum magnetic properties are obtained at x = 0.4: H{sub ci} = 4.9 kOe, B{sub r} = 10.1 kG, (BH){sub max} = 13.7 MGOe. Specifically, magnetic field heat treatment below the Curie temperature is applied for (Nd{sub 0.8}Ce{sub 0.2}){sub 1.6}Fe{sub 12}Co{sub 2}B (x = 0.4) annealed ribbons. The magnetic properties B{sub r}, (BH){sub max} and squareness are all enhanced after the magnetic field heat treatment. The (BH){sub max} shows a substantial increase from 13.7 MGOe to 16.0 MGOe after the heat treatment at 623 K with a magnetic field of 1 T, which gets 17% improvement compared with that of the sample without a magnetic field heat treatment. We demonstrate that the magnetic field heat treatment plays a certain role in the magnetization reversal behavior and can improve the microstructure of (Nd{sub 0.8}Ce{sub 0.2}){sub 1.6}Fe{sub 12}Co{sub 2}B alloy.

  13. AMBON - the Arctic Marine Biodiversity Observing Network

    Science.gov (United States)

    Iken, K.; Danielson, S. L.; Grebmeier, J. M.; Cooper, L. W.; Hopcroft, R. R.; Kuletz, K.; Stafford, K.; Mueter, F. J.; Collins, E.; Bluhm, B.; Moore, S. E.; Bochenek, R. J.

    2016-02-01

    The goal of the Arctic Marine Biodiversity Observing Network (AMBON) is to build an operational and sustainable marine biodiversity observing network for the US Arctic Chukchi Sea continental shelf. The AMBON has four main goals: 1. To close current gaps in taxonomic biodiversity observations from microbes to whales, 2. To integrate results of past and ongoing research programs on the US Arctic shelf into a biodiversity observation network, 3. To demonstrate at a regional level how an observing network could be developed, and 4. To link with programs on the pan-Arctic to global scale. The AMBON fills taxonomic (from microbes to mammals), functional (food web structure), spatial and temporal (continuing time series) gaps, and includes new technologies such as state-of-the-art genomic tools, with biodiversity and environmental observations linked through central data management through the Alaska Ocean Observing System. AMBON is a 5-year partnership between university and federal researchers, funded through the National Ocean Partnership Program (NOPP), with partners in the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Bureau of Ocean and Energy Management (BOEM), and Shell industry. AMBON will allow us to better coordinate, sustain, and synthesize biodiversity research efforts, and make data available to a broad audience of users, stakeholders, and resource managers.

  14. Magnetic Properties and Magnetocaloric Effect in Layered NdMn1.9Ti0.1Si2

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    M.F. Md Din

    2014-04-01

    Full Text Available The structural and magnetic properties of the NdMn1.9Ti0.1Si2 compund have been studied by high-intensity x-ray and high-resolution neutron powder diffraction, specific heat, dc magnetization, and differential scanning calorimetry measurements over the temperature range of 3-450 K. The Curie temperature and Néel temperature of layered NdMn1.9Ti0.1Si2 are indicated as TC ~ 22 K and TN ~ 374 K respectively. The first order magnetic transition from antiferromagnetic [AFil-type] to ferromagnetic [F(Nd+Fmc] around TC is found in layered NdMn1.9Ti0.1Si2 and is associated with large magnetocaloric effect. This behavior has been confirmed as a contribution of the magnetostructural coupling by using neutron and x-ray powder diffraction. The magnetic entropy change –ΔSM ~ 15.3 J kg-1 K-1 and adiabatic temperature change ΔTad ~ 4.7 K have been determined using magnetization and specific heat measurement under 0-5 T applied fields. This compound exhibits almost no thermal and magnetic hysteresis, thus potentially applicable in low temperature region for magnetic refrigerator material

  15. Reconciling biodiversity and carbon conservation.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Thomas, Chris D; Anderson, Barbara J; Moilanen, Atte; Eigenbrod, Felix; Heinemeyer, Andreas; Quaife, Tristan; Roy, David B; Gillings, Simon; Armsworth, Paul R; Gaston, Kevin J

    2013-05-01

    Climate change is leading to the development of land-based mitigation and adaptation strategies that are likely to have substantial impacts on global biodiversity. Of these, approaches to maintain carbon within existing natural ecosystems could have particularly large benefits for biodiversity. However, the geographical distributions of terrestrial carbon stocks and biodiversity differ. Using conservation planning analyses for the New World and Britain, we conclude that a carbon-only strategy would not be effective at conserving biodiversity, as have previous studies. Nonetheless, we find that a combined carbon-biodiversity strategy could simultaneously protect 90% of carbon stocks (relative to a carbon-only conservation strategy) and > 90% of the biodiversity (relative to a biodiversity-only strategy) in both regions. This combined approach encapsulates the principle of complementarity, whereby locations that contain different sets of species are prioritised, and hence disproportionately safeguard localised species that are not protected effectively by carbon-only strategies. It is efficient because localised species are concentrated into small parts of the terrestrial land surface, whereas carbon is somewhat more evenly distributed; and carbon stocks protected in one location are equivalent to those protected elsewhere. Efficient compromises can only be achieved when biodiversity and carbon are incorporated together within a spatial planning process. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons Ltd/CNRS.

  16. Coercivity enhancement in (Ce,Nd)-Fe-B sintered magnets prepared by adding NdH{sub x} powders

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Zhang, Le-le [Key Laboratory of Integrated Exploitation of Bayan Obo Multi-Metal Resources, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou 014010 (China); School of Science, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou 014010 (China); Li, Zhu-bai, E-mail: lzbgj@163.com [Key Laboratory of Integrated Exploitation of Bayan Obo Multi-Metal Resources, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou 014010 (China); Ma, Qiang; Li, Yong-feng; Zhao, Qian [Key Laboratory of Integrated Exploitation of Bayan Obo Multi-Metal Resources, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou 014010 (China); School of Science, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou 014010 (China); Zhang, Xue-feng, E-mail: xuefeng056@163.com [Key Laboratory of Integrated Exploitation of Bayan Obo Multi-Metal Resources, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou 014010 (China); School of Science, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou 014010 (China)

    2017-08-01

    (Ce,Nd)-Fe-B sintered magnets were prepared by the addition of NdH{sub x} powders in Ce{sub 9}Nd{sub 4.5}Fe{sub 80}B{sub 6.5} powders. The coercivity is rather low in Ce{sub 9}Nd{sub 4.5}Fe{sub 80}B{sub 6.5} magnets, and Ce element prefers to distribute at the outer-layer of main phase (Ce,Nd){sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B. The investigation of scanning electron microscope shows that the addition of NdH{sub x} powders leads to the increase of Nd content at grain outer-layer of main phase owing to the element diffusion. Magnetization reversal undergoes the nucleation of reversed domain wall at grain outer-later, and the addition of NdH{sub x} powders leads to the increase in the nucleation field of reversed domain, giving rise to the significant improvement of coercivity. The larger amount addition of NdH{sub x} powders leads to the increase in the amount of intergranular phase, resulting in the decreases of the remanence, the squareness of demagnetization curve and the maximum energy product.

  17. Problems of Biodiversity Management in Indonesia

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    OKID PARAMA ASTIRIN

    2000-01-01

    Full Text Available Indonesia is an archipelago of 17.508 islands with land width of 1.9 millions km2 and sea of 3.1 millions km2, having many types of habitat and become one of biodiversity center in the world. There are about 28.000 plants species, 350.000 animals species and about 10.000 microbes predicted lived endemically in Indonesia. The country that represents only 1.32% of the world having 10% of total flowering plants, 12% of mammals, 16% reptiles and amphibian, 17% birds, 25% fishes and 15% of insects in the world. Most of the biodiversity were not investigated and utilized yet. The direct use of the biodiversity is not any risk, and in addition, between government, society and industries sometime does not have the same view and attitude. Habitat destruction and over-exploitation have caused Indonesia having long list of endangered species including 126 birds, 63 mammals and 21 reptiles. The extinction of some species occurred just few years ago like trulek jawa (Vanellus macropterus, insectivore bird (Eutrichomyias rowleyi in North Sulawesi, and tiger sub species (Panthera tigris in Java and Bali. It seems that now is time for all Indonesians to introspect and look for the way that can be used for preserving biodiversity.

  18. Nd-doped Bi2O3 nanocomposites: simple synthesis and improved photocatalytic activity for hydrogen production under visible light

    Science.gov (United States)

    Al-Namshah, Khadijah S.; Mohamed, Reda M.

    2018-04-01

    Bi2O3 has 2.4 eV band gap energy, which means it absorb in visible region. Though the photocatalytic activity of Bi2O3 is extremely little due to rapid rate of photogenerated electron-hole recombination. To face the economical and practical needs, the photocatalytic efficiency of Bi2O3 should be upgraded. In this paper, this was achieved by addition of neodymium to Bi2O3 nanosheets and Nd/Bi2O3 nanocomposites were prepared by a easy process at room temperature using a surfactant of Pluronic F127. The Bi2O3 nanosheets and Nd/Bi2O3 nanocomposites were investigated by many tools. The photocatalytic activity of Nd/Bi2O3 samples is better than Bi2O3 due to reduced band gap and reduced electron-hole recombination of Bi2O3 with addition of neodymium. In addition, Nd/Bi2O3 nanocomposites exhibit photocatalytic stability for hydrogen production which enables it to be reused on other occasions also.

  19. Nd{sup 3+}-doped TeO{sub 2}-Bi{sub 2}O{sub 3}-ZnO transparent glass ceramics for laser application at 1.06 μm

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Hu, Xiaolin; Luo, Zhiwei; Liu, Taoyong; Lu, Anxian [Central South of University, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Changsha (China)

    2017-04-15

    The high crystallinity transparent glass ceramics based on Nd{sup 3+}-doped 70TeO{sub 2}-15Bi{sub 2}O{sub 3}-15ZnO (TBZ) compositions were successfully prepared by two-step heat treatment process. The effects of Nd{sub 2}O{sub 3} content on the thermal, structural, mechanical, and optical properties of TBZ glass ceramics were studied. The incorporation of Nd{sub 2}O{sub 3} enhanced the crystallization tendency in the matrix glass composition. The crystal phase and morphology of Bi{sub 2}Te{sub 4}O{sub 11} in the glass ceramics were confirmed by X-ray diffraction and field emission scanning electron microscopy. Due to precipitate more crystal phase, the hardness values increased from 3.21 to 3.66 GPa. Eight absorption peaks were observed from 400 to 900 nm and three emission bands appeared in the range of 850-1400 nm. With the increasing of Nd{sub 2}O{sub 3} content from 0.5 to 2.5 wt%, the intensity of absorption peaks enhanced and the emission intensity increased up to 1.0 wt% and then fell down for further dopant concentration. The fluorescence decay lifetime decreased rapidly starting from 1.5 wt% Nd{sub 2}O{sub 3} content due to the obvious energy migration among Nd{sup 3+}. According to the extreme strong emission band around 1062 nm and the optimum Nd{sub 2}O{sub 3} content (1.0 wt%), N10 glass ceramic was considered as a potential material for 1.06 μm laser applications. (orig.)

  20. Joint Force Quarterly. Issue 73, 2nd Quarter 2014

    Science.gov (United States)

    2014-04-01

    Marine Corps/Matthew Bragg); UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter pilot and commander of C Company “War Lords,” 2nd Battalion (Assault), 10th Combat...organization’s performance is rare. Many change efforts are ill conceived and mostly cosmetic : shuf- fling organizational boxes, titles, and authorities...UNIDO_Header_Site/Subsites/Green_Indus- try_Asia_Conference__Maanila_/GC13/Gal- lagher_Report.pdf>. 37 Hartmut. 38 Tim Rice , “Meals per gallon, the impact of

  1. Crystal growth, optical properties, and continuous-wave laser operation of Nd3+-doped CaNb2O6 crystal

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Cheng, Y; Xu, X D; Xiao, X D; Li, D Z; Zhao, C C; Zhou, S M; Xin, Z; Yang, X B; Xu, J

    2009-01-01

    Laser crystal Nd:CaNb 2 O 6 with excellent quality has been grown by Czochralski technique. The effective segregation coefficient of Nd 3+ was studied by X-ray fluorescence method. The polarized absorption spectra and the fluorescence spectra of Nd:CaNb 2 O 6 were measured at room temperature. The peak absorption cross section was calculated to be 6.202×10 -20 cm 2 with a broad FWHM of 7 nm at 808 nm for E ∥ a light polarization. The emission cross section at 1062 nm is 9.87×10 -20 cm 2 . We report what we believe to be the first demonstration of the continuous-wave Nd:CaNb 2 O 6 laser operation under diode pumping. Output power of 1.86 W at 1062 nm was obtained with a slope efficiency of 19% in the CW regime

  2. Crystal growth, optical properties, and continuous-wave laser operation of Nd3+-doped CaNb2O6 crystal

    Science.gov (United States)

    Cheng, Y.; Xu, X. D.; Xin, Z.; Yang, X. B.; Xiao, X. D.; Li, D. Z.; Zhao, C. C.; Xu, J.; Zhou, S. M.

    2009-10-01

    Laser crystal Nd:CaNb2O6 with excellent quality has been grown by Czochralski technique. The effective segregation coefficient of Nd3+ was studied by X-ray fluorescence method. The polarized absorption spectra and the fluorescence spectra of Nd:CaNb2O6 were measured at room temperature. The peak absorption cross section was calculated to be 6.202×10-20 cm2 with a broad FWHM of 7 nm at 808 nm for E ∥ a light polarization. The emission cross section at 1062 nm is 9.87×10-20 cm2. We report what we believe to be the first demonstration of the continuous-wave Nd:CaNb2O6 laser operation under diode pumping. Output power of 1.86 W at 1062 nm was obtained with a slope efficiency of 19% in the CW regime.

  3. Pressure influence on magnetic properties of Nd{sub 2}RhIn{sub 8}

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Javorský, P., E-mail: javor@mag.mff.cuni.cz [Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Department of Condensed Matter Physics, Ke Karlovu 5, 121 16 Prague 2, The Czech Republic (Czech Republic); Kaštil, J.; Míšek, M. [Institute of Physics ASCR, v.v.i., Na Slovance 2, 182 21 Praha 8, The Czech Republic (Czech Republic); Prachařová, M.; Prchal, J.; Klicpera, M.; Kratochvílová, M. [Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Department of Condensed Matter Physics, Ke Karlovu 5, 121 16 Prague 2, The Czech Republic (Czech Republic)

    2016-08-01

    We have studied the pressure effect on the magnetic phase diagram of tetragonal Nd{sub 2}RhIn{sub 8}. The magnetization under uniaxial pressure up to 5.3 kbar applied along the tetragonal c-axis and the heat capacity under hydrostatic pressure were measured in magnetic fields up to 7 and 14 T, respectively. Both types of measurements reveal an increase of T{sub N} with increasing pressure; the effect is considerably stronger for the uniaxial pressure. Considering also the anisotropic compressibility in this family of compounds, we conclude that T{sub N} increases with decreasing c/a. The phase boundary between the ground-state AF1 phase and the field-induced AF2 phase shifts slightly to higher magnetic fields with increasing pressure. The ground state phase is thus stabilized by applying pressure. The magnetic phase diagram is constructed. - Highlights: • Hydrostatic and uniaxial pressure along the c-axis cause an increase of TN. • The ground state magnetic structure is stabilized with decreasing Nd-Nd distances. • The change of T{sub N} is related to change of structural and crystal-field parameters.

  4. Precipitation of Nd-Ca carbonate solid solution at 25 degrees C

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Carroll, S.A.

    1993-01-01

    The formation of a Nd-Ca carbonate solid solution was studied by monitoring the reactions of calcite with aqueous Nd, orthorhombic NdOHCO 3 (s) with aqueous Ca, and calcite with hexagonal Nd-carbonate solid phase as a function of time at 25 degrees C and controlled pCO 2 (g). All experiments reached steady state after 200 h of reaction. The dominant mechanism controlling the formation of the solid solution was precipitation of a Nd-Ca carbonate phase from the bulk solution as individual crystals or at the orthorhombic NdOHCO 3 (s)-solution interface. The lack of Nd adsorption or solid solution at the calcite-solution interface suggests that the solid solution was orthorhombic and may be modeled as a mixture of orthorhombic NdOHCO 3 (s) and aragonite. Orthorhombic NdOHCO 3 (s) was determined to be the stable Nd-carbonate phase in the Nd-CO 2 -H 2 O system at pCO 2 (g) 0.1 atmospheres at 25 degrees C. The equilibrium constant corrected to zero ionic strength for orthorhombic NdOHCO 3 (s) solubility is 10 10.41(±0.29) for the following: NdOHCO 3 (s) + 3H + = Nd 3+ + CO 2 (g) + H 2 O. Results are discussed in relation to radioactive waste disposal by burial, and specifically in relation to americium chemistry

  5. 22nd International Meshing Roundtable

    CERN Document Server

    Staten, Matthew

    2014-01-01

    This volume contains the articles presented at the 22nd International Meshing Roundtable (IMR) organized, in part, by Sandia National Laboratories and was held on Oct 13-16, 2013 in Orlando, Florida, USA.  The first IMR was held in 1992, and the conference series has been held annually since.  Each year the IMR brings together researchers, developers, and application experts in a variety of disciplines, from all over the world, to present and discuss ideas on mesh generation and related topics.  The technical papers in this volume present theoretical and novel ideas and algorithms with practical potential, as well as technical applications in science and engineering, geometric modeling, computer graphics and visualization.

  6. Clinical evaluation of the 2nd generation radio-receptor assay for anti-thyrotropin receptor antibodies (TRAb) in Graves' disease

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Giovanella, L.; Ceriani, L.; Garancini, S.

    2002-01-01

    Full text: Detection of autoantibodies to the TSH receptor by radioreceptorial assays (RRA) is largely requested in clinical practice for the diagnosis of Graves' disease and its differentiation from diffuse thyroid autonomy. Additionally, TRAb measurement during antithyroid drug treatment can be useful to evaluate the risk of disease's relapse alter therapy discontinuation. Nevertheless, some patients affected by Graves' disease are TRAb negative when 1st generation assay is used. Recently a new RRA method for TRAb assay was developed by using human recombinant TSH-receptor and solid-phase technique. Aim of our work was the comparison between 1st and 2nd generation TRAb assays in Graves' disease patients and, particularly, the evaluation of 2nd generation test in a sub-group of patients affected by Graves' disease but with negative 1st generation TRAb assay. We evaluated the diagnostic performance of a newly developed 2nd generation TRAb assay (DYNOtest(r) TRAK human, BRAHMS Diagnostica GmbH, Germany) in 46 patients affected by Graves' disease with negative 1st generation TRAb assay (TRAK Assay(r), BRAHMS Diagnostica GmbH, Germany) . A control groups of 50 Graves' disease patients with positive 1st generation TRAb assay, 50 patients affected by Hashimoto's thyroiditis and 50 patients affected by nodular goiter were also examined. 41 out of 46 patients affected by Graves' disease with negative 1st generation TRAb assay showed a positive 2nd generation test. The overall sensitivity of the 2nd generation test was significantly improved respect the 1st generation assay in Graves' disease patients (χ 2 = 22.5, p<0.0001). 1 and 3 out of 50 patients affected by Hashimoto's thyroiditis were positive by 1st and 2nd generation TRAB assay, respectively. All these patients showed primary hypothyroidism. No differences resulted in euthyroid Hashimoto's thyroiditis sub-group and in nodular goiter control group. The 2nd generation TRAB assay is clearly more sensitive than the 1

  7. Birds as biodiversity surrogates

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Larsen, Frank Wugt; Bladt, Jesper Stentoft; Balmford, Andrew

    2012-01-01

    1. Most biodiversity is still unknown, and therefore, priority areas for conservation typically are identified based on the presence of surrogates, or indicator groups. Birds are commonly used as surrogates of biodiversity owing to the wide availability of relevant data and their broad popular...... and applications.?Good surrogates of biodiversity are necessary to help identify conservation areas that will be effective in preventing species extinctions. Birds perform fairly well as surrogates in cases where birds are relatively speciose, but overall effectiveness will be improved by adding additional data...... from other taxa, in particular from range-restricted species. Conservation solutions with focus on birds as biodiversity surrogate could therefore benefit from also incorporating species data from other taxa....

  8. Recovering biodiversity knowledge

    NARCIS (Netherlands)

    Meijerink, G.W.; Smolders, H.; Sours, S.; Pou, S.

    2005-01-01

    Cambodian¿s civil wars have seriously affected the country¿s agro-biodiversity and the farmers¿ traditional knowledge in this field. The PEDIGREA project aims at conserving on-farm agro-biodiversity conservation and in Cambodia it focuses on vegetable diversity. It tries to link the preservation of

  9. Investigation of BaMoO4-Ln2(MoO4)3 systems (Ln = Nd, Sm, Yb)

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Vakulyuk, V.V.; Evdokimov, A.A.; Khomchenko, G.P.

    1982-01-01

    Using the methods of X-ray phase and differential-thermal analyses phase ratios in the systems BaMoO 4 -Ln 2 (MoO 4 ) 3 (Ln=Nd, Sm, Yb); BaNd 2 (MoO 4 ) 4 -MaGd 2 (MoO 4 ) are studied. Unit cell parameters and the character of melting of the compounds BaLn 2 (MoO 4 ) 4 are specified. Effect of growth conditions on laminated nature of BaGd 2 (MoO 4 ) 4 monocrystals is studied

  10. Synthesis and crystal structure of a new neodymium(III) selenate-selenite: Nd2(SeO4)(SeO3)2(H2O)2

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Feng Meiling; Mao Jianggao

    2005-01-01

    The title new neodymium(III) selenate-selenite was obtained by hydrothermal reactions of neodymium(III) oxide, H 2 SeO 4 and 1,10-phenanthroline at 140 o C. Its structure was established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The title compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c with cell parameters of a = 12.258(2) A, b 7.1024(15) A, c = 13.391(3) A, β = 104.250(2) o . The structure of Nd 2 (SeO 4 )(SeO 3 ) 2 (H 2 O) 2 is isomorphous with that of Er 2 (SeO 4 )(SeO 3 ) 2 (H 2 O) 2 , which was refined in the monoclinic space group C2 with the disordered selenate group. It features an ordered 3D network with channels along b-axis. The selenate or selenite groups alone can form a 2D layer with the Nd(III) ions. IR spectrum, TGA and luminescent studies have also been performed

  11. Magnetization reversal of a Nd-Cu-infiltrated Nd-Fe-B nanocrystalline magnet observed with small-angle neutron scattering

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Saito, Kotaro, E-mail: kotaro.saito@kek.jp; Ono, Kanta [Institute of Materials Structure Science, High Energy Accelerator Research Organization, 1-1 Oho, 305-0803 Tsukuba (Japan); Ueno, Tetsuro [Elements Strategy Initiative Center for Magnetic Materials, National Institute for Materials Science, 1-2-1 Sengen, 305-0047 Tsukuba (Japan); Yano, Masao; Shoji, Tetsuya; Sakuma, Noritsugu; Manabe, Akira; Kato, Akira [Toyota Motor Corporation, Toyota, Aichi 471-8571 (Japan); Harada, Masashi [Toyota Central R and D Labs, Inc., Aichi 480-1192 (Japan); Keiderling, Uwe [Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien and Energie, 14109 Berlin (Germany)

    2015-05-07

    The magnetization reversal process of Nd-Fe-B nanocrystalline magnets infiltrated with Nd-Cu alloy was examined using small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). The magnetic-field dependence of SANS intensity revealed a qualitative difference between Nd-Cu-infiltrated samples and as-deformed samples. Insufficient magnetic isolation along the direction perpendicular to the nominal c-axis is expected from comparable SANS intensities for different ranges of q values along this direction. For small q values near the coercivity field, Nd-Cu-infiltrated samples show a noticeable reduction in SANS intensity along the nominal c-axis, which is parallel to the external magnetic field. This indicates less spatial fluctuation of magnetic moments in Nd-Cu-infiltrated samples, owing to magnetically isolated Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B grains.

  12. Magnetization reversal of a Nd-Cu-infiltrated Nd-Fe-B nanocrystalline magnet observed with small-angle neutron scattering

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Saito, Kotaro; Ono, Kanta; Ueno, Tetsuro; Yano, Masao; Shoji, Tetsuya; Sakuma, Noritsugu; Manabe, Akira; Kato, Akira; Harada, Masashi; Keiderling, Uwe

    2015-01-01

    The magnetization reversal process of Nd-Fe-B nanocrystalline magnets infiltrated with Nd-Cu alloy was examined using small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). The magnetic-field dependence of SANS intensity revealed a qualitative difference between Nd-Cu-infiltrated samples and as-deformed samples. Insufficient magnetic isolation along the direction perpendicular to the nominal c-axis is expected from comparable SANS intensities for different ranges of q values along this direction. For small q values near the coercivity field, Nd-Cu-infiltrated samples show a noticeable reduction in SANS intensity along the nominal c-axis, which is parallel to the external magnetic field. This indicates less spatial fluctuation of magnetic moments in Nd-Cu-infiltrated samples, owing to magnetically isolated Nd 2 Fe 14 B grains

  13. Structural and magnetic characterization of Nd-based Nd-Fe and Nd-Fe-Co-Al metastable alloys

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Kumar, G.

    2005-01-01

    The aim of the present work is to characterize a metastable hard magnetic phase referred to as ''A1'' in Nd-Fe alloys, which forms as a part of the fine eutectic depending on the composition and cooling rate. In order to define the range of composition for the formation of A1, Nd 100-x Fe x (x=20,25,40) alloys are cooled at about 150 K/s. The effect of cooling rate on the formation of hard magnetic A1 is studied by investigating the Nd 80 Fe 20 alloys cooled at different rates. The Nd-richer regions are identified as dhcp Nd and fcc Nd-Fe solid solution. However, the Fe-richer regions also referred to as A1, are diffuse and give an average composition of Nd 56 Fe 44 . HRTEM images of the Fe-richer regions reveal the presence of 5-10 nm crystallites embedded in an amorphous phase. The demagnetization curves the hard magnetic Nd80Fe20 measured at temperatures above 30 K are typical of a hard magnetic material. The measurements of initial magnetization, field dependence of coercivity, and temperature dependence of coercivity suggest the Stoner-Wohlfarth type magnetization reversal process for the hard magnetic A1. The values of anisotropy constant are estimated by fitting the magnetization data to the law-of-approach to saturation. The temperature dependence of anisotropy constant and the coercivity indicate that the origin of coercivity is magnetic anisotropy

  14. Structural studies on W6+ and Nd3+ substituted La2Mo2O9 materials

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Marrero-Lopez, David; Canales-Vazquez, Jesus; Zhou Wuzong; Irvine, John T.S.; Nunez, Pedro

    2006-01-01

    The structure of a series of new ionic conductors based in lanthanum molybdate (La 2 Mo 2 O 9 ) has been investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The superstructure 2a c x3a c x4a c of the low temperature α-polymorph relative to the β-polymorph was confirmed by HRTEM imaging and electron diffraction. Furthermore, the effects of partial cation substitution in the La 2-x Nd x Mo 2 O 9 and La 2 Mo 2-y W y O 9 series have been also evaluated in the search of new clues to understand the structure and stabilisation of the high temperature and better conductor β-polymorph. The thermal analysis studies show that Nd-substitution does not stabilise completely the β-polymorph at room temperature, although no superstructure ordering was observed by both XRD and HRTEM. On the other hand, W-substitution stabilises the cubic β-polymorph for y>0.25, although, electron diffraction indicates a slight distortion from the cubic symmetry for low W-content. This distortion disappears as the W content increases and the Rietveld refinements gradually render better results

  15. X-ray structural study of Nd[N(CN)2]3x2OP(NMe2)3

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Kapshuk, A.A.; Skopenko, V.V.

    1985-01-01

    The results of X-ray structure study of Nd(N(CN) 2 ) 3 x2OP(NMe) 2 ) 3 are presented. The crystals are monoclinic: a=12,787(6), b=17.731(9), c=15.302(5) A, γ=114.84(3) deg, Z=4, sp.gr. p2 1 /n. The structure is formed of infinite corrugated netting consisting of neodymium atoms, coordinating two OP(NMe 2 ) 3 molecules, and three bidentate-bridge dicyanamide groups. Neodymium coordination number is 8, coordination polyhedron is a distorted twocapped trigonal prism. Certain aspects of crystal chemistry of dicyanamide complexes are discussed

  16. Liquid metal extraction of Nd from NdFeB magnet scrap

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Xu, Yanchen [Iowa State Univ., Ames, IA (United States)

    1999-12-10

    This research involves using molten magnesium (Mg) to remove neodymium (Nd) from NdFeB magnet scrap by diffusion. The results show that liquid metal extraction of Nd may be a viable and inexpensive method for recovering the expensive rare earth element Nd for use in Mg castings.

  17. 2nd conference on Continuous Media with Microstructure

    CERN Document Server

    Kuczma, Mieczysław

    2016-01-01

    This book presents research advances in the field of Continuous Media with Microstructure and considers the three complementary pillars of mechanical sciences: theory, research and computational simulation. It focuses on the following problems: thermodynamic and mathematical modeling of materials with extensions of classical constitutive laws, single and multicomponent media including modern multifunctional materials, wave propagation, multiscale and multiphysics processes, phase transformations, and porous, granular and composite materials. The book presents the proceedings of the 2nd Conference on Continuous Media with Microstructure, which was held in 2015 in Łagów, Poland, in memory of Prof. Krzysztof Wilmański. .

  18. MFM study of NdFeB and NdFeB/Fe/NdFeB thin films

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Gouteff, P.C.; Folks, L.; Street, R.

    1998-01-01

    Domain structures of NdFeB thin films, ranging in thickness between 1500 and 29 nm, have been studied qualitatively by magnetic force microscopy (MFM). Samples were prepared using a range of sputtering conditions resulting in differences in properties such as texture, coercivity and magnetic saturation. MFM images of all the films showed extensive interaction domain structures, similar to those observed in nanocrystalline bulk NdFeB. An exchange-coupled NdFeB/Fe/NdFeB trilayer with layer thicknesses 18 nm/15 nm/18 nm, respectively, was also examined using MFM. (orig.)

  19. Achieving Aichi Biodiversity Target 11 to improve the performance of protected areas and conserve freshwater biodiversity

    Science.gov (United States)

    Diego Juffe-Bignoli; Ian Harrison; Stuart HM Butchart; Rebecca Flitcroft; Virgilio Hermoso; Harry Jonas; Anna Lukasiewicz; Michele Thieme; Eren Turak; Heather Bingham; James Dalton; William Darwall; Marine Deguignet; Nigel Dudley; Royal Gardner; Jonathan Higgins; Ritesh Kumar; Simon Linke; G Randy Milton; Jamie Pittock; Kevin G Smith; Arnout van Soesbergen

    2016-01-01

    1. The Strategic Plan for Biodiversity (2011–2020), adopted at the 10th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, sets 20 Aichi Biodiversity Targets to be met by 2020 to address biodiversity loss and ensure its sustainable and equitable use. Aichi Biodiversity Target 11 describes what an improved conservation network would look...

  20. Calibration of the indium foil used for criticality accident dosimetry in the UCC-ND employee identification badge

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Ryan, M.T.; Butler, H.M.; Gupton, E.D.; Sims, C.S.

    1982-05-01

    The UCC-ND Employee Identification Badge contains an indium foil disc that is intended for use as a dosimetry screening device in the event of a criticality accident. While it is recognized that indium is not a precise mixed neutron-gamma dosimeter, its activation by neutrons provides adequate means for separating potentially exposed persons into three groups. These groups are: (1) personnel exposed below annual dose limits, (2) personnel exposed above annual dose limits but below 25 rem, and (3) personnel exposed above 25 rem. This screening procedure is designed to facilitate dosimeter processing in order to meet regulatory reporting requirements. A quick method of interpreting induced activity measurements is presented and discussed

  1. Self-propagating synthesis and aqueous durability of Nd-bearing zirconolite-rich composites using Ca(NO{sub 3}){sub 2} as the oxidant

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Zhang, Kuibao, E-mail: xiaobao320@163.com [State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base for Nonmetal Composite and Functional Materials, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, Sichuan 621010 (China); National Defense Key Discipline Lab of Nuclear Waste and Environmental Safety, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621010 (China); He, Shihong [State Nuclear Power Research Institute, Beijing 100029 (China); Yin, Dan; Peng, Le; Wu, Jingjun [State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base for Nonmetal Composite and Functional Materials, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, Sichuan 621010 (China)

    2016-09-15

    Synroc is recognized as the second-generation waste form for safety disposal of high-level radioactive waste (HLW). In this study, zirconolite-rich Synroc waste form was readily synthesized by self-propagating high-temperature plus quick pressing (SHS/QP) using Ca(NO{sub 3}){sub 2} as the oxidant and Ti as the reductant. As the surrogate of trivalent actinides, Nd{sub 2}O{sub 3} was introduced to equally substitute the Ca and Zr sites of zirconolite with nominal stoichiometry of Ca{sub 1−x}Zr{sub 1−x}Nd{sub 2x}Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7}. The results demonstrate that zirconolite, perovskite and pyrochlore (Ca{sub 2}Ti{sub 2}O{sub 6}) coexist as the ceramic components after SHS reaction. The introduction of Nd{sub 2}O{sub 3} promotes the formation of perovskite. Nd is mostly incorporated into the Ca sites of these phases. The normalized elemental leaching rates of Ca and Nd are fairly constant in low values of 1.80 × 10{sup −2} g m{sup −2} d{sup −1} and 6.12 × 10{sup −4} g m{sup −2} d{sup −1} after 42 days. - Highlights: • Zirconolite-rich composite was synthesized by SHS using Ca(NO{sub 3}){sub 2} as the oxidant. • Nd{sub 2}O{sub 3} was successfully immobilized into the crystal structure of this waste form. • Nd was mostly incorporated into the Ca sites of zirconolite, perovskite and pyrochlore. • The normalized leaching rates of Ca and Nd are in relatively low values.

  2. Sm-Nd in marine carbonates and phosphates: implications for Nd isotopes in seawater and crustal ages

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Shaw, H.F.; Wasserburg, G.J.

    1985-01-01

    This study explores the possibility of establishing Nd isotopic variations in seawater over geologic time. Calcite, aragonite and apatite are examined as possible phases recording seawater values of epsilonsubNd. Modern, biogenic and inorganically precipitated calcite and aragonite from marine environments were found to have Nd concentrations of from 0.2 to 70 ppb, showing that primary marine CaCO 3 contains little REE and that Nd/Ca is not greatly enhanced relative to seawater during carbonate precipitation. Very young marine limestone and dolomite containing no continental detritus have approx. 200 ppb Nd. All the carbonates are LREE enriched. Modern and very young Atlantic and Pacific carbonates have epsilonsub(Nd) in the range of shallow Atlantic and Pacific seawater respectively, implying that they derive their REE from local seawater. The Nd in well preserved carbonate fossils is 4 ppb, much greater than in their modern counterparts but like the high values found for carbonates in other studies. Results are also reported for apatite. They suggest that sedimentary apatite can be used to determine epsilonsub(Nd)(T) in ancient seawater. The seawater values so inferred range between -1.7 and -8.9 over the last 700 my and lie in the range of modern seawater, showing no evidence for drastic changes. (U.K.)

  3. Multiferroic and visible light photocatalytic properties of six-layered perovskite oxide Nd{sub 6}Ti{sub 4}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 20}

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Cheng, Xiangyi; Yang, Hongshun; Ruan, Keqing; Xu, Xiaoliang [University of Science and Technology of China, Key Laboratory of Strongly-Coupled Quantum Matter Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences and School of Physical Sciences, Hefei (China); Meng, Dechao [University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Hefei (China)

    2017-04-15

    The layered perovskite-related oxide Nd{sub 6}Ti{sub 4}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 20} was prepared by incorporating NdFeO{sub 3} in the host Nd{sub 2}Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7} using floating-zone melting technique. XRD and HRTEM results suggested that the material has a layered structure of n = 6 type. Nd{sub 6}Ti{sub 4}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 20} exhibited spin glass-like behavior, and its magnetic behavior was affected by magnetic Nd{sup 3+} ions strongly at low temperature. The ferromagnetic and ferroelectric properties were observed by magnetic and PFM measurements at the room temperature. UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy revealed that the compound is a visible light absorbing photocatalyst with a direct band gap of 2.2 eV. In addition, the photocatalytic behaviors of bulk Nd{sub 6}Ti{sub 4}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 20} were evaluated by photodegradation of rhodamine B under visible light irradiation. (orig.)

  4. [Landscape planning approaches for biodiversity conservation in agriculture].

    Science.gov (United States)

    Liu, Yun-hui; Li, Liang-tao; Yu, Zhen-rong

    2008-11-01

    Biodiversity conservation in agriculture not only relates to the sustainable development of agriculture, but also is an essential part of species conservation. In recent years, the landscape planning approach for biodiversity was highlighted instead of species-focused approach. In this paper, the landscape factors affecting the biodiversity in agriculture were reviewed, and the possible landscape approaches at three different scales for more efficient conservation of biodiversity in agro-landscape were suggested, including: (1) the increase of the proportion of natural or semi-natural habitats in agriculture, diversification of land use or crop pattern, and protection or construction of corridor at landscape level; (2) the establishment of non-cropping elements such as field margin at between-field level; and (3) the application of reasonable crop density, crop distribution pattern and rotation, and intercrop etc. at within-field level. It was suggested that the relevant policies for natural conservation, land use planning, and ecological compensation should be made to apply the landscape approaches for biodiversity conservation at larger scale.

  5. (SiC/AlN)2 multilayer film as an effective protective coating for sintered NdFeB by magnetron sputtering

    Science.gov (United States)

    You, Yu; Li, Heqin; Huang, Yiqin; Tang, Qiong; Zhang, Jing; Xu, Jun

    2017-08-01

    SiC/AlN and (SiC/AlN)2 multilayer films with a well-arranged bilayer structure and a four-layer structure are prepared respectively on NdFeB substrates by a magnetron sputtering method. Crystal phase and microstructures of the SiC/AlN and (SiC/AlN)2 films are investigated using x-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and atomic force microscope (AFM). It is observed that the surface of the (SiC/AlN)2 four-layer film is much denser and smoother than that of the SiC/AlN bilayer film. Corrosion behaviors of the NdFeB substrates coated with SiC/AlN and (SiC/AlN)2 films as well as the bare NdFeB substrate are evaluated by potentiodynamic polarization curve tests. It is revealed that the lateral growth structures developed in interfaces are favorable for an enhanced corrosion resistance. Corrosion current densities of the (SiC/AlN)2 coated NdFeB measured in acid, alkali and salt solutions are 2.796  ×  10-9, 3.65  ×  10-6, and 2.912  ×  10-6 A cm-2, respectively, which are much lower than those of the bare NdFeB and the SiC/AlN coated NdFeB.

  6. RAPIDLY-SOLIDIFIED PERMANENT MAGNET MATERIALS: FACTORS AFFECTING QUENCHABILITY AND MAGNETIC PROPERTIES IN Nd2Fe14B

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    LEWIS, L.H.; KRAMER, M.J.; MCCALLUM, R.W.; BRANAGAN, D.J.

    1999-01-01

    Insight into the solidification behavior of Nd 2 Fe 14 B-based materials processed by rapid solidification techniques has been obtained by a systematic experimental study of the Curie temperatures of selected phases found in these materials. Nd 2 Fe 14 B-based materials fabricated by two disparate rapid solidification techniques, inert gas atomization (IGA) and melt-spinning, has been studied. The compositions of the starting materials have been altered with additions of the refractory elements Ti and C which are known to alter the solidification behavior of these materials. Special emphasis has been placed on trying to understand the effect of alloying additions upon the nature of the quenched glass, the distribution of the elemental additions within the Nd 2 Fe 14 B lattice and the evolution of the elemental partitioning with quench rate and annealing condition. The experimental Curie temperature data obtained using thermal analysis methods from the particles produced by gas-atomization is consistent with both an ejection of quenched-in refractory species from the crystalline Nd 2 Fe 14 B lattice and with increased crystallographic order as particle size, and hence grain size, increases. Magnetic ac susceptibility measurements performed on nominally-amorphous Nd 2 Fe 14 B ribbons produced by melt-spinning indicate a decrease of the Curie temperature with increasing quench rate, a result that may be attributed either to the degree of Ti/C retention in the glass or to the degree of disorder in the glass, independent of Ti/C retention

  7. Land-use intensification can exaggerate the reduction of functionality with increasing soil biodiversity loss in an alpine meadow on eastern Tibetan Plateau

    Science.gov (United States)

    Liu, Manqiang; Chen, Xiaoyun; Chen, Chenying; Hu, Zhengkun; Guo, Hui; Li, Junyong; Du, Guozhen; Li, Huixin; Hu, Feng

    2017-04-01

    Soil biota plays a pivotal role in ecosystem functionality which is of central importance to sustainable services such as food and fiber production. Intensive land use is associated with species loss and subsequent the related functionality loss. Currently, the claim that negligible effects of soil biodiversity loss due to high functional redundancy has been questioned in the face of intense human activities. Recent studies corroborated that soil biodiversity guaranteed functionality following perturbation. Few studies have, however, attempted to explore the intensive land use on the relationship between soil biodiversity and function particularly for the region susceptible to human perturbation and climate change. With increasing demands for livestock on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, extensive fertilization is a common way to fill the gap of grass productivity in the alpine meadow. However, excess chemical fertilizer can lead to the species loss and functionality degradation. Do the fertilizer-induced changes in soil biota lead to a higher risk of functionality? We predicted that fertilization would exacerbate effects of biodiversity-loss on the reduction of functionality. Herein, a dilution-to-extinction approach was used to set up soil biodiversity loss by inoculating serially diluted soil suspension (ranging from 100 to 10-8 levels) from two long-term fertilization treatments to the sterilized soil that has never been fertilized. The two fertilization treatments represented two distinct intensification land use including the unfertilized control (NP0) and a fertilized treatment (NP120) amended with (NH4)2HPO4 annually (120 kg ha-1 yr-1) since 2002 in an alpine meadow on the eastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Soil microcosms of 2 fertilization levels crossing 8 biodiversity levels were incubated for 8 months. Then, soil community and multi-functionality parameters including carbon (C)and nutrient mineralization, plant growth and functional stability were determined

  8. Carbon stock and plants biodiversity of pekarangan in Cisadane watershed West Java

    Science.gov (United States)

    Aisyah Filqisthi, Tatag; Leonardus Kaswanto, Regan

    2017-01-01

    The presence of vegetation in Pekarangan can be proposed to mitigate global climate change impacts by CO2 sequestration and at the same time to promote the availability of food for the community. The aims of this research is to calculate carbon stock and biodiversity in pekarangan, and to compare carbon stock and biodiversity on three levels of Cisadane Watershed. Four groups of Pekarangan defined on a purposive random sampling. Allometric models were developed to estimate aboveground biomass of vegetation, and an inventory was conducted in 48 pekarangan. Shannon Weiner Index (H’) and Margalef Index (Dm) are used to evaluate biodiversity, averaged 2,84 and 5,10 (G1); 2,55 and 4,27 (G2); 2,56 and 4,52 (G3); 2,68 and 4,84 (G4), while carbon stock averaged 33,20 Mg Carbon/ha (G1); 29,97 Mg/ha (G2); 59,18 Mg/ha (G3); and 40,98 Mg/ha (G4). There is no relationship between biodiversity with carbon stock on pekarangan (R2 = 0,02), or tree’s biodiversity with carbon stock (R2 = 0,23). High resolution satellite imagery can be used to extrapolate carbon stock and plants biodiversity of Pekarangan at watershed level.

  9. Effects of thickness and annealing condition on magnetic properties and thermal stabilities of Ta/Nd/NdFeB/Nd/Ta sandwiched films

    Science.gov (United States)

    Liu, Wen-Feng; Zhang, Min-Gang; Zhang, Ke-Wei; Zhang, Hai-Jie; Xu, Xiao-Hong; Chai, Yue-Sheng

    2016-11-01

    Ta/Nd/NdFeB/Nd/Ta sandwiched films are deposited by magnetron sputtering on Si (100) substrates, and subsequently annealed in vacuum at different temperatures for different time. It is found that both the thickness of NdFeB and Nd layer and the annealing condition can affect the magnetic properties of Ta/Nd/NdFeB/Nd/Ta films. Interestingly, the thickness and annealing temperature show the relevant behaviors that can affect the magnetic properties of the film. The high coercivity of 24.1 kOe (1 Oe = 79.5775 A/m) and remanence ratio (remanent magnetization/saturation magnetization) of 0.94 can be obtained in a Ta/Nd(250 nm)/NdFeB(600 nm)/Nd(250 nm)/Ta film annealed for 3 min at 1023 K. In addition, the thermal stability of the film is also linked to the thickness of NdFeB and Nd layer and the annealing temperature as well. The excellent thermal stability can be achieved in a Ta/Nd(250 nm)/NdFeB(600 nm)/Nd(250 nm)/Ta film annealed at 1023 K. Program supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 51305290), the Higher Education Technical Innovation Project of Shanxi Province, China (Grant No. 2013133), the Fund Program for the Scientific Activities of Selected Returned Overseas Professionals of Shanxi Province, China (Grant No. 2015003), and the Program for the Key Team of Scientific and Technological Innovation of Shanxi Province, China (Grant No. 2013131009).

  10. Cost-Effective and Environmentally Safe Corrosion Prevention for 2nd Marine Air Wing Support Equipment Using Desiccant Wheel Dehumidification (DEW)

    National Research Council Canada - National Science Library

    McCarthy, David

    1994-01-01

    ...: change the material, coat its surface or keep the item dry. In an effort to reduce the cost and environmental impact of maintaining contingency support equipment, the 2nd Marine Air Wing (2nd MAW...

  11. Forecasting the future of biodiversity

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Fitzpatrick, M. C.; Sanders, Nate; Ferrier, Simon

    2011-01-01

    , but their application to forecasting climate change impacts on biodiversity has been limited. Here we compare forecasts of changes in patterns of ant biodiversity in North America derived from ensembles of single-species models to those from a multi-species modeling approach, Generalized Dissimilarity Modeling (GDM...... climate change impacts on biodiversity....

  12. Cr Poisoning On Nd2Ni0.95Cu0.05O4+δ Cathode for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Choe Yeong-Ju

    2016-06-01

    Full Text Available In this study, Nd2Ni1-xCuxO4+δ (x=0, 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2 layered perovskite powders were synthesized by the glycine nitrate process (GNP and the chromium poisoning effect on the electrochemical performance of the Nd2Ni0.95Cu0.05O4+δ and La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3-δ cathodes were investigated. In the case of the LSCF cathode, the strontium chromite phase formed after the exposure of the gaseous chromium species, while there was no additional phase in the Nd2Ni0.95Cu0.05O4+δ cathode. The area specific resistance (ASR of the Nd2Ni0.95Cu0.05O4+δ cathode did not change significantly after the exposure of the gaseous chromium species at 800°C.

  13. Insect biodiversity and dead wood: proceedings of a symposium for the 22nd international congress of entomology

    Science.gov (United States)

    Simon J. Grove; James L. Hanula

    2006-01-01

    In August 2004, the city of Brisbane, Australia, was host to one of the largest recent gatherings of the world’s entomologists. The 22nd International Congress of Entomology featured a multitude of symposia covering a wide range of entomology-related topics. This general technical report is based on papers presented on one such symposium, “Insect...

  14. 2nd International Conference on Intelligent Technologies and Engineering Systems

    CERN Document Server

    Chen, Cheng-Yi; Yang, Cheng-Fu

    2014-01-01

    This book includes the original, peer reviewed research papers from the 2nd International Conference on Intelligent Technologies and Engineering Systems (ICITES2013), which took place on December 12-14, 2013 at Cheng Shiu University in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Topics covered include: laser technology, wireless and mobile networking, lean and agile manufacturing, speech processing, microwave dielectrics, intelligent circuits and systems, 3D graphics, communications, and structure dynamics and control.

  15. 2nd Interdiciplinary Conference on Production, Logistics and Traffic 2015

    CERN Document Server

    Friedrich, Hanno; Thaller, Carina; Geiger, Christiane

    2016-01-01

    This contributed volume contains the selected and reviewed papers of the 2nd Interdisciplinary Conference on Production, Logistics and Traffic (ICPLT) 2015, Dortmund, Germany. The topical focus lies on economic, ecological and societal issues related to commercial transport. The authors are international experts and the paper collection presents the state-of-the-art in the field, thus making this book a valuable read for both practitioners and researchers.

  16. Infrared Zeeman study of the Nd.sup.3+./sup.-Cu.sup.2+./sup. anisotropic exchange interaction in Nd.sub.2./sub.CuO.sub.4./sub..

    Czech Academy of Sciences Publication Activity Database

    Richard, P.; Jandl, S.; Poirier, M.; Furnier, P.; Nekvasil, Vladimír; Sadowski, M.L.

    2005-01-01

    Roč. 72, č. 1 (2005), 014506/1-014506/10 ISSN 1098-0121 R&D Projects: GA ČR(CZ) GA202/03/0552 Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z1010914 Keywords : cuprate superconductors * Nd 2 CuO 4 * Zeeman and Stark splitting * anisotropic exchange interaction Subject RIV: BM - Solid Matter Physics ; Magnetism Impact factor: 3.185, year: 2005

  17. 2nd Karlsruhe International Summer School on Fusion Technologies

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Bahm, W.; Stycz, K.

    2008-01-01

    For the second time, the Karlsruhe Research enter together with European research institutions and industries invited young scientists and engineers to its ''International Summer School on Fusion Technologies.'' Fifty participants from all over Europe attended the lectures by 35 experts preesenting contributions from their areas of competence. Ten young scientists from India and another 10 from China were connected to the events by video link. Physics student Kornelia Stycz describes her impressions as a participant in the ''2 nd International Summer School on Fusion Technologies.'' (orig.)

  18. 1H and 2H NMR relaxation study on the phase transitions of (NH4)3H(SO4)2 and (ND4)3D(SO4)2 single crystals

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Lim, Ae Ran; Jeong, Se-Young

    2006-01-01

    T 1 , T 1ρ and T 2 for the 1 H and 2 H nuclei in (NH 4 ) 3 H(SO 4 ) 2 and (ND 4 ) 3 D(SO 4 ) 2 single crystals grown using the slow evaporation method were measured for phases I, II, III, IV and V. The 1 H T 1 , T 1ρ , and T 2 values were found to exhibit different trends in phases II and III: T 1 , T 1ρ and T 2 for 1 H do not change significantly near the phase transition at 265 K, whereas near 413 K they change discontinuously. We conclude that the NH 4 + and H(SO 4 ) 2 - ions do not play an important role in the III-II phase transition, but do play important roles in the II-I phase transition. The liquid-like nature of the 1 H T 1ρ and T 2 above 413 K is indicative of the destruction and reconstruction of hydrogen bonds. Moreover, the phase transitions of the (NH 4 ) 3 H(SO 4 ) 2 crystal are accompanied by changes in the molecular motion of the (NH 4 ) + ions. The variations with temperature of the 2 H T 1 and T 2 of (ND 4 ) 3 D(SO 4 ) 2 crystals are not similar to those observed for the 1 H T 1 and T 2 . Our comparison of the results for (NH 4 ) 3 H(SO 4 ) 2 and (ND 4 ) 3 D(SO 4 ) 2 crystals indicates the following: the 1 H T 1ρ and T 2 of the (NH 4 ) + and H(SO 4 ) 2 - ions above T C1 are characteristic of fast, liquid-like motion, which is not the case for (ND 4 ) 3 D(SO 4 ) 2 ; and the 2 H T 1 of D(SO 4 ) 2 - in (ND 4 ) 3 D(SO 4 ) 2 is longer than the 2 H T 1 of (ND 4 ) + in contrast to the results for (NH 4 ) 3 H(SO 4 ) 2 crystals

  19. Bi2(Sr, Ln)2CuOz (Ln = Nd, Sm) phases: stability, crystal growth and superconducting properties

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Faqir, H.; Kikuchi, M.; Syono, Y.; Mansori, M.; Satre, P.; Sebaoun, A.; Vacquier, G.

    2000-01-01

    Bi 2 (Sr,Ln) 2 CuO z (Ln = Nd, Sm) single crystals were successfully grown by a self-flux method from stoichiometric and (Bi, Cu)-rich melts. Thermal analysis and thermogravimetry were used to determine stability and the melting sequence of Bi 2 (Sr,Ln) 2 CuO z phases in air. As-grown crystals of the ideal Bi 2 (Sr,Ln) 2 CuO z phase, of dimensions 1x0.5x0.03 mm 3 , exhibit superconducting behaviour with critical temperature T c = 21 K for the Bi 1.9 Sr 1.6 Nd 0.6 CuO z crystal and Tc = 14 K for the Bi 1.8 Sr 1.6 Sm 0.6 CuO z crystal. The compositions of these crystals were homogeneous and close to the stoichiometric composition. We report on the growth of Bi 2 Sr 2-x Sm x CuO z single crystals of large dimensions 9x3x0.03 mm 3 using Bi 2 Sr 1.5 Sm 0.5 CuO z as precursor and Bi 2 CuO 4 as flux. (author)

  20. Diode-pumped orthogonally polarized dual-wavelength Nd3+:LaBO2MoO4 laser

    Science.gov (United States)

    Chen, Y. J.; Gong, X. H.; Lin, Y. F.; Huang, J. H.; Luo, Z. D.; Huang, Y. D.

    2013-08-01

    Polarized spectroscopic properties related to 1.07 μm laser operation of a 1.8 at.% Nd3+:LaBO2MoO4 crystal grown by the Czochralski method were investigated at room temperature. Using a 2.2-mm-thick, Z-cut Nd3+:LaBO2MoO4 crystal as gain medium, orthogonally polarized dual-wavelength laser at 1,068 and 1,074 nm was first realized in a plano-concave resonator end-pumped by a quasi-continuous-wave 795 nm diode laser. A total output peak power of 1.2 W with slope efficiency of 26 % around 1.07 μm was obtained. The influences of resonator length and pump power on output laser wavelength were also investigated.

  1. Microstructure and Magnetic Properties of NdFeB Films through Nd Surface Diffusion Process

    OpenAIRE

    Liu, Wenfeng; Zhang, Mingang; Zhang, Kewei; Chai, Yuesheng

    2017-01-01

    Ta/Nd/NdFeB/Nd/Ta films were deposited by magnetron sputtering on Si (100) substrates and subsequently annealed for 30 min at 923 K in vacuum. It was found that the microstructure and magnetic properties of Ta/Nd/NdFeB/Nd/Ta films strongly depend on the NdFeB layer thickness. With NdFeB layer thickness increasing, both the grain size and the strain firstly reduce and then increase. When NdFeB layer thickness is 750 nm, the strain reaches the minimum value. Meanwhile, both the in-plane and per...

  2. Selected papers from the 2nd IEEEE Nordic Circuits and Systems Conference (NorCAS), 2016

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Sparsø, Jens

    2018-01-01

    This special issue includes selected papers from the 2nd IEEEE Nordic Circuits and Systems Conference (NorCAS), held in Linköping, Sweden, October 24-25, 2016. The IEEE NorCAS conference is the main circuits and systems event of the Nordic and Baltic countries representing both academia and the e......This special issue includes selected papers from the 2nd IEEEE Nordic Circuits and Systems Conference (NorCAS), held in Linköping, Sweden, October 24-25, 2016. The IEEE NorCAS conference is the main circuits and systems event of the Nordic and Baltic countries representing both academia...

  3. A study of low threshold and high gain Nd3+ ions doped SiO2-B2O3-Na2CO3-NaF-CaF2 glasses for NIR laser applications

    Science.gov (United States)

    Megala, Rajesh; Gowthami, T.; John Sushma, N.; Kamala, S.; Deva Prasad Raju, B.

    2018-05-01

    Fluoroborosilicate glasses of composition 35SiO2-25B2O3-10Na2CO3-15NaF-15CaF2-xNd2O3 (where x = 0.1, 0.5. 1.0, 2.0 mol%) were prepared by melt quenching technique and various physical properties have been calculated. From the absorption spectra J-O Intensity parameters Ωλ (λ = 2, 4, 6) and radiative properties are evaluated by using J-O theory. The high values of Ω2 = 4.213 × 10-20 cm2, Ω4 = 5.345 × 10-20 cm2, Ω6 = 5.526 × 10-20 cm2 suggest that among the prepared glasses 0.5 mol% Nd glass is more asymmetric, more covalent and rigid in nature. The emission spectra were recorded with 808 nm laser as excitation source. The strong NIR emissions were observed at 876 nm, 1056 nm, 1328 nm corresponding to the transitions 4F3/2 → 4I9/2, 4F3/2 → 4I11/2, 4F3/2 → 4I13/2 respectively. Stimulated emission cross -section (σemi) and Gain bandwidth (σemi × Δλeff) were calculated. For 0.5 mol% Nd these values are found to be 3.30 × 10-20 cm2, 11 × 10-26 cm2. From the decay curve analysis the lifetime values for 4F3/2 level have been determined and these values are decreased with increase in Nd3+ ions concentration. These results may suggest that the prepared SBNCNd05 (Nd = 0.5 mol%) glass could be useful for 1056 nm laser applications.

  4. PREFACE: 2nd International Meeting for Researchers in Materials and Plasma Technology

    Science.gov (United States)

    Niño, Ely Dannier V.

    2013-11-01

    These proceedings present the written contributions of the participants of the 2nd International Meeting for Researchers in Materials and Plasma Technology, 2nd IMRMPT, which was held from February 27 to March 2, 2013 at the Pontificia Bolivariana Bucaramanga-UPB and Santander and Industrial - UIS Universities, Bucaramanga, Colombia, organized by research groups from GINTEP-UPB, FITEK-UIS. The IMRMPT, was the second version of biennial meetings that began in 2011. The three-day scientific program of the 2nd IMRMPT consisted in 14 Magisterial Conferences, 42 Oral Presentations and 48 Poster Presentations, with the participation of undergraduate and graduate students, professors, researchers and entrepreneurs from Colombia, Russia, France, Venezuela, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Peru, Mexico, United States, among others. Moreover, the objective of IMRMPT was to bring together national and international researchers in order to establish scientific cooperation in the field of materials science and plasma technology; introduce new techniques of surface treatment of materials to improve properties of metals in terms of the deterioration due to corrosion, hydrogen embrittlement, abrasion, hardness, among others; and establish cooperation agreements between universities and industry. The topics covered in the 2nd IMRMPT include New Materials, Surface Physics, Laser and Hybrid Processes, Characterization of Materials, Thin Films and Nanomaterials, Surface Hardening Processes, Wear and Corrosion / Oxidation, Modeling, Simulation and Diagnostics, Plasma Applications and Technologies, Biomedical Coatings and Surface Treatments, Non Destructive Evaluation and Online Process Control, Surface Modification (Ion Implantation, Ion Nitriding, PVD, CVD). The editors hope that those interested in the are of materials science and plasma technology, enjoy the reading that reflect a wide range of topics. It is a pleasure to thank the sponsors and all the participants and contributors for

  5. Species Interactions Drive Fish Biodiversity Loss in a High-CO2 World.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Nagelkerken, Ivan; Goldenberg, Silvan U; Ferreira, Camilo M; Russell, Bayden D; Connell, Sean D

    2017-07-24

    Accelerating climate change is eroding the functioning and stability of ecosystems by weakening the interactions among species that stabilize biological communities against change [1]. A key challenge to forecasting the future of ecosystems centers on how to extrapolate results from short-term, single-species studies to community-level responses that are mediated by key mechanisms such as competition, resource availability (bottom-up control), and predation (top-down control) [2]. We used CO 2 vents as potential analogs of ocean acidification combined with in situ experiments to test current predictions of fish biodiversity loss and community change due to elevated CO 2 [3] and to elucidate the potential mechanisms that drive such change. We show that high risk-taking behavior and competitive strength, combined with resource enrichment and collapse of predator populations, fostered already common species, enabling them to double their populations under acidified conditions. However, the release of these competitive dominants from predator control led to suppression of less common and subordinate competitors that did not benefit from resource enrichment and reduced predation. As a result, local biodiversity was lost and novel fish community compositions were created under elevated CO 2 . Our study identifies the species interactions most affected by ocean acidification, revealing potential sources of natural selection. We also reveal how diminished predator abundances can have cascading effects on local species diversity, mediated by complex species interactions. Reduced overfishing of predators could therefore act as a key action to stall diversity loss and ecosystem change in a high-CO 2 world. VIDEO ABSTRACT. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  6. Biodiversity and productivity

    Science.gov (United States)

    M.R. Willig

    2011-01-01

    Researchers predict that human activities especially landscape modification and climate change will have a considerable impact on the distribution and abundance of species at local, regional, and global scales in the 21st century ( 1, 2). This is a concern for a number of reasons, including the potential loss of goods and services that biodiversity provides to people...

  7. CCTC 2009 : 2nd Climate Change Technology Conference

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    2009-01-01

    The 2nd Climate Change Technology Conference (CCTC2009) was held in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada on May 12-15, 2009. CCTC2009 is a Canadian/International forum for engineers, scientists, policy advisors, industry and other stakeholders to share new information and ideas for dealing with climate change and global warming. It also provided an opportunity for participants to keep abreast of emerging techniques and technologies for the mitigation of and adaptation to, the impacts of climate change. The conference theme: 'Climate Change ..... Deal with It!' emphasized the need to develop practical engineering and administrative responses to address the impacts of climate change and global warming.

  8. The ξ/ξ2nd ratio as a test for Effective Polyakov Loop Actions

    Science.gov (United States)

    Caselle, Michele; Nada, Alessandro

    2018-03-01

    Effective Polyakov line actions are a powerful tool to study the finite temperature behaviour of lattice gauge theories. They are much simpler to simulate than the original (3+1) dimensional LGTs and are affected by a milder sign problem. However it is not clear to which extent they really capture the rich spectrum of the original theories, a feature which is instead of great importance if one aims to address the sign problem. We propose here a simple way to address this issue based on the so called second moment correlation length ξ2nd. The ratio ξ/ξ2nd between the exponential correlation length and the second moment one is equal to 1 if only a single mass is present in the spectrum, and becomes larger and larger as the complexity of the spectrum increases. Since both ξexp and ξ2nd are easy to measure on the lattice, this is an economic and effective way to keep track of the spectrum of the theory. In this respect we show using both numerical simulation and effective string calculations that this ratio increases dramatically as the temperature decreases. This non-trivial behaviour should be reproduced by the Polyakov loop effective action.

  9. Structural and magnetic properties of NdFeB and NdFeB/Fe films with Mo addition

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Urse, M; Grigoras, M; Lupu, N; Chiriac, H, E-mail: urse@phys-iasi.ro [National Institute of R and D for Technical Physics, 47 Mangeron Blvd., 700050 Iasi (Romania)

    2011-07-06

    The influence of the Mo addition on the microstructure and magnetic properties of Nd-Fe-B and Nd-Fe-B/Fe films was studied. The coercivity is a key parameter in the control of technical performances of Nd-Fe-B films. A small amount of about 1 at.% Mo can enhance the coercivity of Nd-Fe-B film by controlling the growth of soft and hard magnetic grains. A coercivity of 22.1 kOe, a remanence ratio, M{sub r}/M{sub s}, of 0.83 and a maximum energy product of 8 MGOe were obtained for Ta/[NdFeBMo(1at.%)(540nm)/Ta films annealed at 650{sup 0}C for 20 minutes due to Mo precipitates formed at the Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B phase boundaries which prevent the nucleation and expansion of the magnetic domains. Simultaneous use of Mo as addition and the stratification of Nd-Fe-B-Mo films using Fe as spacer layer are important tools for the improvement of the hard magnetic properties of Nd-Fe-B films. The Ta/[NdFeBMo(1at.%)(180nm)/Fe(1nm)]x3/Ta multilayer film annealed at 620{sup 0}C exhibits an increase in the coercivity from 12.1 kOe to 22.8 kOe, in the remanence ratio from 0.77 to 0.80, and in the maximum energy product from 4.5 to 7.1 MGOe in comparison with Ta/Nd-Fe-B/Ta film. As compared to Ta/Nd-Fe-B/Ta film, the Ta/[NdFeBMo(1at.%)(180nm)/Fe(1nm)]x3/Ta film presents a decrease in the crystallization temperature of about 30{sup 0}C.

  10. Experimental and thermodynamic investigation of Al-Cu-Nd ternary system

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Bai, W.M. [School of Materials Science and Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083 (China); Jiang, Y. [Hunan Sushi Guangbo Testing Techniques Co. LTD, Changsha (China); Guo, Z.Y.; Zeng, L.J.; Tan, M.Y. [School of Materials Science and Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083 (China); Meggs, C. [School of Metallurgy and Materials, The University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT (United Kingdom); Zhang, L.G., E-mail: ligangzhang@csu.edu.cn [School of Materials Science and Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083 (China); Liu, L.B., E-mail: pdc@csu.edu.cn [School of Materials Science and Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083 (China); Jin, Z.P. [School of Materials Science and Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083 (China)

    2017-07-01

    The phase relationships in the Al–Cu-Nd ternary system at 673 K have been investigated by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) with energy disperse X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) in backscattered electron imaging (BSE) modes. The existence of six ternary Stoichiometric compounds, namely τ{sub 1}-Al{sub 8}Cu{sub 4}Nd, τ{sub 2}-Al{sub 9}Cu{sub 8}Nd{sub 2}, τ{sub 3}-Al{sub 6}Cu{sub 7}Nd, τ{sub 4}-Al{sub 2.4}Cu{sub 8.6}Nd, τ{sub 5}-Al{sub 3}CuNd, τ{sub 6}-AlCuNd, have been confirmed. A complete thermodynamic description of the Al–Cu-Nd ternary system coupled with the CALPHAD method is obtained based on experimental results and first-principles calculations. The calculated phase equilibria were in agreement with the available experimental data. - Highlights: • Phase relationships in the Al-Cu-Nd system has been systematically investigated. • 9 three-phase regions and 4 two-phase regions are confirmed. • A complete thermodynamic description of the Al-Cu-Nd system is obtained. • Results of first-principle calculation consist with thermodynamic calculation.

  11. Biodiversity recovery following delta-wide measures for flood risk reduction.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Straatsma, Menno W; Bloecker, Alexandra M; Lenders, H J Rob; Leuven, Rob S E W; Kleinhans, Maarten G

    2017-11-01

    Biodiversity declined markedly over the past 150 years, with the biodiversity loss in fluvial ecosystems exceeding the global average. River restoration now aims at flood safety while enhancing biodiversity and has had success locally. However, at the scale of large river distributaries, the recovery remained elusive. We quantify changes in biodiversity of protected and endangered species over 15 years of river restoration in the embanked floodplains of an entire river delta. We distinguish seven taxonomic groups and four functional groups in more than 2 million field observations of species presence. Of all 179 fluvial floodplain sections examined, 137 showed an increase in biodiversity, particularly for fast-spreading species. Birds and mammals showed the largest increase, that is, +13 and +3 percentage point saturation of their potential based on habitat. This shows that flood risk interventions were successfully combined with enhancement of biodiversity, whereas flood stage decreased (-24 cm).

  12. Microstructural investigation of RBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7-delta/ (R=Y, Gd, Nd)

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Parent, L; Moreau, C; Noel, D; Dallaire, S; Champagne, B

    1989-02-01

    RBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7-delta/ perovskites, where R is Y, Gd and Nd, were synthesized using the same experimental conditions. The resistivity curves of the three compounds were similar but their microstructures were different. Secondary phases (CuO, BaCuO/sub 2/) were formed in the compounds containing Y and Gd while no such phases were detected in the Nd perovskite material. 7 refs.; 4 figs.; 1 table.

  13. Options for promoting high-biodiversity REDD+

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Swan, Steve; Mcnally, Richard; Grieg-Gran, Maryanne; Roe, Dilys; Mohammed, Essam Yassin

    2011-11-15

    International climate and biodiversity conventions agree that to be effective in the long term, strategies to reduce emissions from deforestation, forest degradation, conservation and enhancement of forest carbon stocks, and sustainable forest management (REDD+), must not undermine biodiversity. But how do countries achieve 'high-biodiversity REDD+' in practice? At a global level, options include immediate policy strengthening in international negotiations; promotion of co-benefit standards; and financial incentives and preferences for buying countries. At a national level, developing countries can also promote high-biodiversity REDD+ through more coherent policies; integrated planning; regulatory and economic instruments; and improved monitoring of biodiversity impacts.

  14. Sr and Nd isotope systematics in fish teeth

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Staudigel, H.; Zindler, A.

    1985-01-01

    High concentrations of Sr and Nd in fish teeth apatite (up to 2000 and 3800 ppm, respectively) make them relatively impervious to diagenetic overprints and allow high-precision analysis of 87 Sr/ 86 Sr and 143 Nd/ 144 Nd of very small amounts of material. 87 Sr/ 86 Sr ratios of 14 Cenozoic samples ( 87 Sr/ 86 Sr stratigraphic dating. A compilation of published 143 Nd/ 144 Nd data from recent Mn-nodules and marine Fe/Mn deposits shows that the North-Central Pacific Ocean and the major portion of the Atlantic Ocean display distinctly different, narrow ranges in isotopic compositions. Between these two areas, the 143 Nd/ 144 Nd of Mn-nodules vary systematically towards intermediate compositions in the Southern Oceans, reflecting the communication between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans through the eastward moving Antarctic Circumpolar Current. The 143 Nd/ 144 Nd of the 2-55 Ma old fish teeth analyzed are typically close to the range of 143 Nd/ 144 Nd in Recent Mn-nodules and seawater for the respective ocean and, thus, indicate no significant change through this time period. The 143 Nd/ 144 Nd of fish teeth from the North Pacific Ocean are highest during periods of high aeolian sedimentation. (orig.)

  15. Single NdPc2 molecules on surfaces. Adsorption, interaction, and molecular magnetism

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Fahrendorf, Sarah

    2013-01-01

    They have huge potential for application in molecular-spin-transistors, molecular-spinvalves, and molecular quantum computing. SMMs are characterized by high spin ground states with zero-field splitting leading to high relaxation barriers and long relaxation times. A relevant class of molecules are the lanthanide double-decker phthalocyanines (LaPc 2 ) with only one metal atom sandwiched between two organic phthalocyanine (Pc) ligands. For envisaged spintronic applications it is important to understand the interaction between the molecules and the substrate and its influence on the electronic and magnetic properties. The subject of this thesis is the investigation of the adsorbed neodymium double-decker phthalocyanine (NdPc 2 ) by means of low temperature scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy (STM and STS). The molecules are deposited by sublimation onto different substrates. It is observed that a large fraction of the double-decker molecules decomposes during deposition. The decomposition probability strongly depends on the chosen substrate. Therefore it is concluded that the substrate modifies the electronic structure of the molecule leading to a stabilization or destabilization of the molecular entity. Charge transfer from the surface to the molecule is identified as a potential stabilizing mechanism. The electronic and magnetic properties are investigated in detail for adsorbed NdPc 2 molecules on Cu(100). The results of the experimental study are compared to state-of-the-art density functional theory calculations performed by our colleagues from the Peter Gruenberg Institute (PGI-1) at the Forschungszentrum Juelich. Interestingly, the lower Pc ring of the molecule hybridizes intensely with the substrate leading to strong chemisorption of the molecule, while the upper Pc ring keeps its molecular type electronic states, which can be energetically shifted by an external electric field. Importantly, it is possible to get direct access to the spin

  16. Influence of Ca amount on the synthesis of Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B particles in reduction–diffusion process

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Chen, Chun-Qiang [Powder and Ceramics Division, Korea Institute of Materials Science, Changwon, Gyeongnam 642-831 (Korea, Republic of); Department of Advanced Materials, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 305-350 (Korea, Republic of); Kim, Dongsoo, E-mail: dskim@kims.re.kr [Powder and Ceramics Division, Korea Institute of Materials Science, Changwon, Gyeongnam 642-831 (Korea, Republic of); Choi, Chuljin [Powder and Ceramics Division, Korea Institute of Materials Science, Changwon, Gyeongnam 642-831 (Korea, Republic of)

    2014-04-15

    Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B alloy particles with high coercivity of more than 10 kOe were successfully synthesized by adjusting the amount of Calcium (Ca) in reduction–diffusion (R–D) process. Calcium oxide (CaO) and unreacted Ca remained after R–D process in particles prepared by heat treatment in Hydrogen (H{sub 2}) atmosphere at previous step. In the ratio of 0.4 of Ca to powders (Ca/powders, wt%), residual Ca was not detected from X-ray diffraction pattern. On the other hand, Ca appeared above the ratio of 1.0 and below the ratio of 0.2, amount of Ca was not enough to reduce Nd oxide. Moreover, excess Ca affected magnetic property of final products obtained after washing, because residual Ca gave rise to evolution of H{sub 2} gas during disintegration with water and it led to the formation of Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}BH{sub x} (x=1–5). Finally, Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B magnetic particles were synthesized after washing in de-ionized water with a mean size of 2 μm and their maximum energy product showed 15.5 MGOe. - Highlights: • We employ spray drying for the preparation of precursor powders. • Critical amount of Ca for the reduction of Nd-oxides is revealed quantitatively. • The formation of Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}BH{sub x} (x=1–5) occur in the Ca to powder ratio above 2.0. • Final products after washing and drying show more than 10 MGOe of (BH){sub max}. • We propose the optimum amount of Ca in reduction–diffusion process.

  17. 2nd Tbilisi-Salerno Workshop on Modeling in Mathematics

    CERN Document Server

    Ricci, Paolo; Tavkhelidze, Ilia

    2017-01-01

    This book contains a collection of papers presented at the 2nd Tbilisi Salerno Workshop on Mathematical Modeling in March 2015. The focus is on applications of mathematics in physics, electromagnetics, biochemistry and botany, and covers such topics as multimodal logic, fractional calculus, special functions, Fourier-like solutions for PDE’s, Rvachev-functions and linear dynamical systems. Special chapters focus on recent uniform analytic descriptions of natural and abstract shapes using the Gielis Formula. The book is intended for a wide audience with interest in application of mathematics to modeling in the natural sciences.

  18. 2nd International Conference on Mechatronics and Robotics Engineering

    CERN Document Server

    Wei, Bin

    2017-01-01

    Featuring selected contributions from the 2nd International Conference on Mechatronics and Robotics Engineering, held in Nice, France, February 18–19, 2016, this book introduces recent advances and state-of-the-art technologies in the field of advanced intelligent manufacturing. This systematic and carefully detailed collection provides a valuable reference source for mechanical engineering researchers who want to learn about the latest developments in advanced manufacturing and automation, readers from industry seeking potential solutions for their own applications, and those involved in the robotics and mechatronics industry.

  19. Caribbean landscapes and their biodiversity

    Science.gov (United States)

    A. E. Lugo; E. H. Helmer; E. Santiago Valentín

    2012-01-01

    Both the biodiversity and the landscapes of the Caribbean have been greatly modified as a consequence of human activity. In this essay we provide an overview of the natural landscapes and biodiversity of the Caribbean and discuss how human activity has affected both. Our Caribbean geographic focus is on the insular Caribbean and the biodiversity focus is on the flora,...

  20. Synthesis and characterisation of the n = 2 Ruddlesden–Popper phases Ln2Sr(Ba)Fe2O7 (Ln = La, Nd, Eu)

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Gurusinghe, Nicola N.M.; Figuera, Juand de la; Marco, José F.; Thomas, Michael F.; Berry, Frank J.; Greaves, Colin

    2013-01-01

    Graphical abstract: - Highlights: • Some Ruddlesden–Popper phases have been characterised. • Substitution on the A site influences cationic order. • The magnetic moment redirects with temperature - Abstract: A series of n = 2 Ruddlesden–Popper phases A 2 B 2 O 7 of composition Ln 2 Sr(Ba)Fe 2 O 7 (Ln = La, Nd, Eu) have been prepared. La 2 SrFe 2 O 7 and La 2 BaFe 2 O 7 crystallise in the tetragonal space group I4/mmm. The structures of Eu 2 SrFe 2 O 7 and Nd 2 SrFe 2 O 7 are best described in space group P4 2 /mnm. Substitution on the A site with smaller lanthanide- and larger alkaline metal- ions leads to enhanced cationic order in these phases and reflects increasing differences in cationic radii. All the compounds are antiferromagnetically ordered between 298 and 2 K. In La 2 SrFe 2 O 7 the magnetic moment lies along [1 1 0] at all temperatures between 298 and 2 K whereas in La 2 BaFe 2 O 7 the magnetic moment at 298 K lies along the crystallographic x-axis but redirects from the [1 0 0] to the [1 1 0] direction between 210 and 190 K and is retained in this direction until 2 K. In Nd 2 SrFe 2 O 7 the magnetic moment at 298 K lies along [1 1 0] but rotates from [1 1 0] to [0 0 1] between 17 and 9 K. A series of 57 Fe Mössbauer spectra recorded from La 2 SrFe 2 O 7 between 290 and 600 K indicate a magnetic ordering temperature of T N ≥ 535 K

  1. Sol-Gel Synthesis and in Situ X-ray Diffraction Study of Li3Nd3W2O12 as a Lithium Container.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Luo, Minghe; Yu, Haoxiang; Cheng, Xing; Ye, Wuquan; Zhu, Haojie; Liu, Tingting; Peng, Na; Shui, Miao; Shu, Jie

    2018-04-18

    In this work, garnet-framework Li 3 Nd 3 W 2 O 12 as a novel insertion-type anode material has been prepared via a facile sol-gel method and examined as a lithium container for lithium ion batteries (LIBs). Li 3 Nd 3 W 2 O 12 shows a charge capacity of 225 mA h g -1 at 50 mA g -1 , and with the current density increasing up to 500 mA g -1 , the charge capacity can still be maintained at 186 mA h g -1 . After cycling at 500 mA g -1 for 500 cycles, Li 3 Nd 3 W 2 O 12 retains about 85% of its first charge capacity changed from 190.2 to 161 mA h g -1 . Furthermore, in situ X-ray diffraction technique is adopted for the understanding of the insertion/extraction mechanism of Li 3 Nd 3 W 2 O 12 . The full-cell configuration LiFePO 4 /Li 3 Nd 3 W 2 O 12 is also assembled to evaluate the potential of Li 3 Nd 3 W 2 O 12 for practical application. These results show that Li 3 Nd 3 W 2 O 12 is such a promising anode material for LIBs with excellent electrochemical performance and stable structure.

  2. NdFeB Residue to Be Recycled

    Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China (English)

    2006-01-01

    @@ NdFeB is a permanent magnetic material with excellent performances. It is widely used in electronics and communications. Around 30% of rare earth elements (among which 90% is Nd, others are Tb and Dy) and 2-3% of Co element are contained in the material. NdFeB plays an important role in the development of our society and our economy.

  3. Corroded microstructure of HDDR-NdFeB magnetic powders

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Zhu, L.Y.; Itakura, M.; Tomokiyo, Y.; Kuwano, N.; Machida, K.

    2004-01-01

    The microstructure of corroded HDDR-NdFeB magnetic powders in bonded magnet has been investigated by transmission electron microscopy. Following an exposure time of 300 h at 398 K in air, the HDDR-NdFeB magnetic powders are found covered with an altered layer about 300 nm thick on the surface. The layer is composed of α-Fe grains 5-10 nm in diameter and h-Nd 2 O 3 grains smaller than 5 nm. Under the altered layer, corrosion has proceeded along the Nd 2 (Fe,Co) 14 B grain boundaries to leave a wetting layer composed of a dense mixture of α-Fe and h-Nd 2 O 3 phase. The appearance of α-Fe grains in both of the altered layer wetting layer leads to the high magnetic flux loss of the corroded HDDR-NdFeB bonded magnet

  4. Solid solutions in the system Nd2(SeO4)3 - Sm2(SeO4)3 - H2O

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Serebrennikov, V.V.; Tsybukova, T.N.; Velikov, A.A.

    1984-01-01

    Using the method of isothermal solubility at 25 deg C the system Nd 2 (SeO 4 ) 3 -Sm 2 (SeO 4 ) 3 -H 2 O has been studied. Roentgenographic recording of solid ''residues'' is realized. For solid solutions energies of interchange and formation heats are calculated. Formation heats of solid solutions on the basis of samarium selenates are also found experimentally

  5. Biodiversity monitoring in Europe: the EU FP7 EBONE project. European biodiversity observation NEtwork

    CSIR Research Space (South Africa)

    Lück-Vogel, Melanie

    2008-09-01

    Full Text Available submission Presentation Poster presentation A) Title Biodiversity Monitoring in Europe: The EU FP7 EBONE project European Biodiversity Observation NEtwork B) Short title EBONE - European Biodiversity Observation NEtwork C) Author(s) Vogel, M. (1... stream_source_info Vogel_2008.pdf.txt stream_content_type text/plain stream_size 3055 Content-Encoding UTF-8 stream_name Vogel_2008.pdf.txt Content-Type text/plain; charset=UTF-8 BIOTA AFRICA Congress 2008 Abstract...

  6. Thermodynamic and neutron diffraction studies on multiferroic NdMn{sub 2}O{sub 5}

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Chattopadhyay, S.; Balédent, V.; Auban-Senzier, P.; Pasquier, C.; Doubrovsky, C. [Laboratoire de Physique des Solides, Université Paris-Sud, CNRS-UMR 8502, 91405 Orsay (France); Greenblatt, M. [Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854 (United States); Foury-Leylekian, P., E-mail: pascale.foury@u-psud.fr [Laboratoire de Physique des Solides, Université Paris-Sud, CNRS-UMR 8502, 91405 Orsay (France)

    2015-03-01

    Magnetically frustrated RMn{sub 2}O{sub 5} oxides have attracted considerable attention in recent years, because most of the members of this family show spin ordering induced dielectric polarization along with strong magneto-electric coupling. Although the true origin of the ferroelectricity is still a matter of debate, it has been observed that the magneto-electric phase diagram can be substantially tuned with the variation of rare earth elements. In this work, we have chosen NdMn{sub 2}O{sub 5} as the compound of our interest since it lies exactly in between the ferroelectric and non-ferroelectric members of this family and also, because there are few investigations performed on RMn{sub 2}O{sub 5} systems with large rare earth atoms . With the combination of heat capacity, magnetic susceptibility, dielectric permittivity, powder X-ray diffraction, and powder neutron diffraction measurements, it has been found that NdMn{sub 2}O{sub 5} undergoes an incommensurate magnetic ordering around 30 K followed by a possible ferroelectric-like transition at ∼26 K. Another lock-in kind of magnetic transition appears when the temperature is decreased to ∼15 K. With further lowering of temperature, an antiferromagnetic ordering, which is presumably associated with the Nd{sup 3+}, is achieved near 4 K. This study thus sheds light on a new compound of the RMn{sub 2}O{sub 5} series presenting different multiferroic properties.

  7. Anisotropic Transport and Magnetic Properties of Charge-Density-Wave Materials RSeTe_2 (R = La, Ce, Pr, Nd)

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Wang Pei-Pei; Long Yu-Jia; Zhao Ling-Xiao; Chen Dong; Xue Mian-Qi; Chen Gen-Fu

    2015-01-01

    Single crystals of RSeTe_2 (R = La, Ce, Pr, Nd) are synthesized using LiCl/RbCl flux. Transport and magnetic properties in the directions parallel and perpendicular to the a–c plane are investigated. We find that the resistivity anisotropy ρ_⊥/ρ_‖ lies in the range 486–615 for different compounds at 2 K, indicating the highly two-dimensional character. In both the orientations, the charge-density-wave transitions start near T_C_D_W = 284(3) K, 316(3) K, 359(3) K for NdSeTe_2, PrSeTe_2, CeSeTe_2, respectively, with a considerable increase in dc resistivity. While for LaSeTe_2, no obvious resistivity anomaly is observed up to 380 K. The value of T_C_D_W increases monotonically with the increasing lattice parameters. Below T_C_D_W, slight anomalies can be observed in NdSeTe_2, PrSeTe_2 and CeSeTe_2 with onset temperature at 193(3) K, 161(3) K, 108(3) K, respectively, decreasing as lattice parameters increase. Magnetic susceptibility measurements show that the valence state of rare earth ions are trivalence in these compounds. Antiferromagnetic-type magnetic order is formed in CeSeTe_2 at 2.1 K, while no magnetic transition is observed in PrSeTe_2 and NdSeTe_2 down to 1.8 K. (paper)

  8. Integrating movement ecology with biodiversity research - exploring new avenues to address spatiotemporal biodiversity dynamics.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Jeltsch, Florian; Bonte, Dries; Pe'er, Guy; Reineking, Björn; Leimgruber, Peter; Balkenhol, Niko; Schröder, Boris; Buchmann, Carsten M; Mueller, Thomas; Blaum, Niels; Zurell, Damaris; Böhning-Gaese, Katrin; Wiegand, Thorsten; Eccard, Jana A; Hofer, Heribert; Reeg, Jette; Eggers, Ute; Bauer, Silke

    2013-01-01

    Movement of organisms is one of the key mechanisms shaping biodiversity, e.g. the distribution of genes, individuals and species in space and time. Recent technological and conceptual advances have improved our ability to assess the causes and consequences of individual movement, and led to the emergence of the new field of 'movement ecology'. Here, we outline how movement ecology can contribute to the broad field of biodiversity research, i.e. the study of processes and patterns of life among and across different scales, from genes to ecosystems, and we propose a conceptual framework linking these hitherto largely separated fields of research. Our framework builds on the concept of movement ecology for individuals, and demonstrates its importance for linking individual organismal movement with biodiversity. First, organismal movements can provide 'mobile links' between habitats or ecosystems, thereby connecting resources, genes, and processes among otherwise separate locations. Understanding these mobile links and their impact on biodiversity will be facilitated by movement ecology, because mobile links can be created by different modes of movement (i.e., foraging, dispersal, migration) that relate to different spatiotemporal scales and have differential effects on biodiversity. Second, organismal movements can also mediate coexistence in communities, through 'equalizing' and 'stabilizing' mechanisms. This novel integrated framework provides a conceptual starting point for a better understanding of biodiversity dynamics in light of individual movement and space-use behavior across spatiotemporal scales. By illustrating this framework with examples, we argue that the integration of movement ecology and biodiversity research will also enhance our ability to conserve diversity at the genetic, species, and ecosystem levels.

  9. The Queensland Coal Board 32nd annual report, June 30, 1983

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    1983-01-01

    This annual report includes an extensive statistical section, along with information, maps, diagrams, etc. on exports, consumption, reserves, development mines, potential coal fields, employment and power stations.

  10. Highly efficient solar-pumped Nd:YAG laser.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Liang, Dawei; Almeida, Joana

    2011-12-19

    The recent progress in solar-pumped laser with Fresnel lens and Cr:Nd:YAG ceramic medium has revitalized solar laser researches, revealing a promising future for renewable reduction of magnesium from magnesium oxide. Here we show a big advance in solar laser collection efficiency by utilizing an economical Fresnel lens and a most widely used Nd:YAG single-crystal rod. The incoming solar radiation from the sun is focused by a 0.9 m diameter Fresnel lens. A dielectric totally internally reflecting secondary concentrator is employed to couple the concentrated solar radiation from the focal zone to a 4 mm diameter Nd:YAG rod within a conical pumping cavity. 12.3 W cw laser power is produced, corresponding to 19.3 W/m(2) collection efficiency, which is 2.9 times larger than the previous results with Nd:YAG single-crystal medium. Record-high slope efficiency of 3.9% is also registered. Laser beam quality is considerably improved by pumping a 3 mm diameter Nd:YAG rod.

  11. Biodiversity offsets and the challenge of achieving no net loss.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Gardner, Toby A; VON Hase, Amrei; Brownlie, Susie; Ekstrom, Jonathan M M; Pilgrim, John D; Savy, Conrad E; Stephens, R T Theo; Treweek, Jo; Ussher, Graham T; Ward, Gerri; Ten Kate, Kerry

    2013-12-01

    Businesses, governments, and financial institutions are increasingly adopting a policy of no net loss of biodiversity for development activities. The goal of no net loss is intended to help relieve tension between conservation and development by enabling economic gains to be achieved without concomitant biodiversity losses. biodiversity offsets represent a necessary component of a much broader mitigation strategy for achieving no net loss following prior application of avoidance, minimization, and remediation measures. However, doubts have been raised about the appropriate use of biodiversity offsets. We examined what no net loss means as a desirable conservation outcome and reviewed the conditions that determine whether, and under what circumstances, biodiversity offsets can help achieve such a goal. We propose a conceptual framework to substitute the often ad hoc approaches evident in many biodiversity offset initiatives. The relevance of biodiversity offsets to no net loss rests on 2 fundamental premises. First, offsets are rarely adequate for achieving no net loss of biodiversity alone. Second, some development effects may be too difficult or risky, or even impossible, to offset. To help to deliver no net loss through biodiversity offsets, biodiversity gains must be comparable to losses, be in addition to conservation gains that may have occurred in absence of the offset, and be lasting and protected from risk of failure. Adherence to these conditions requires consideration of the wider landscape context of development and offset activities, timing of offset delivery, measurement of biodiversity, accounting procedures and rule sets used to calculate biodiversity losses and gains and guide offset design, and approaches to managing risk. Adoption of this framework will strengthen the potential for offsets to provide an ecologically defensible mechanism that can help reconcile conservation and development. Balances de Biodiversidad y el Reto de No Obtener P

  12. Inelastic neutron scattering studies on the 3d-4f heterometallic single-molecule magnet Mn{sub 2}Nd{sub 2}

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Nehrkorn, Joscha; Milazzo, Ruggero; Stuiber, Stefan; Waldmann, Oliver [Physikalisches Institut, Universitaet Freiburg (Germany); Akhtar, Muhammad Nadeem; Lan, Yanhua; Powell, Annie K. [Institut fuer Anorganische Chemie, Universitaet Karlsruhe, KIT (Germany); Mutka, Hannu [Institut Laue-Langevin, Grenoble (France)

    2011-07-01

    The discovery of slow relaxation and quantum tunneling of the magnetization in Mn{sub 1}2ac more than 15 years ago has inspired both physicists and chemists alike. This class of molecules, now called single-molecule magnets (SMMs), has very recently been expanded to heterometallic clusters incorporating transition metal and rare earth ions. The 4f ions were chosen because of their large angular momentum and magnetic anisotropy. Inelastic neutron scattering experiments were performed on the time-of-flight disk-chopper spectrometer IN5 at ILL on the SMM Mn{sub 2}Nd{sub 2}. A magnetic model was developed which perfectly describes all data, including the magnetic data. It was found that neither the large anisotropy nor the large angular momentum of the Nd{sup I}II ions is the main reason for the SMM behavior in this molecule. Our analysis of the data indicates that it is the weak coupling of the Nd{sup I}II ions to the Mn{sup I}II ions, usually considered as a drawback of rare earth ions, which enhances the relaxation time and therefore leads to SMM behavior.

  13. Microstructure and mechanical properties of in situ TiC and Nd2O3 particles reinforced Ti-4.5 wt.%Si alloy composites

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Zhang, Xinjiang; Li, Yibin; Song, Guangping; Sun, Yue; Peng, Qingyu; Li, Yuxin; He, Xiaodong

    2011-01-01

    Highlights: → (TiC + Nd 2 O 3 )/Ti-4.5 wt.%Si composites were in situ synthesized. → The phase components and microstructures of the composites were investigated. → In situ reinforcements improve the mechanical properties of the matrix alloy. -- Abstract: (TiC + Nd 2 O 3 )/Ti-4.5 wt.%Si composites were in situ synthesized by a non-consumable arc-melting technology. The phases in the composites were identified by X-ray diffraction. Microstructures of the composites were observed by optical microscope and scanning electron microscope. The composite contains four phases: TiC, Nd 2 O 3 , Ti 5 Si 3 and Ti. The TiC and Nd 2 O 3 particles with dendritic and near-equiaxed shapes are well distributed in Ti-4.5 wt.%Si alloy matrix, and the fine Nd 2 O 3 particles exist in the network Ti + Ti 5 Si 3 eutectic cells and Ti matrix of the composites. The hardness and compressive strength of the composites are markedly higher than that of Ti-4.5 wt.%Si alloy. When the TiC content is fixed as 10 wt.% in the composites, the hardness is enhanced as the Nd 2 O 3 content increases from 8 wt.% to 13 wt.%, but the compressive strength peaks at the Nd 2 O 3 content of 8 wt.%.

  14. Data hosting infrastructure for primary biodiversity data

    Science.gov (United States)

    2011-01-01

    Background Today, an unprecedented volume of primary biodiversity data are being generated worldwide, yet significant amounts of these data have been and will continue to be lost after the conclusion of the projects tasked with collecting them. To get the most value out of these data it is imperative to seek a solution whereby these data are rescued, archived and made available to the biodiversity community. To this end, the biodiversity informatics community requires investment in processes and infrastructure to mitigate data loss and provide solutions for long-term hosting and sharing of biodiversity data. Discussion We review the current state of biodiversity data hosting and investigate the technological and sociological barriers to proper data management. We further explore the rescuing and re-hosting of legacy data, the state of existing toolsets and propose a future direction for the development of new discovery tools. We also explore the role of data standards and licensing in the context of data hosting and preservation. We provide five recommendations for the biodiversity community that will foster better data preservation and access: (1) encourage the community's use of data standards, (2) promote the public domain licensing of data, (3) establish a community of those involved in data hosting and archival, (4) establish hosting centers for biodiversity data, and (5) develop tools for data discovery. Conclusion The community's adoption of standards and development of tools to enable data discovery is essential to sustainable data preservation. Furthermore, the increased adoption of open content licensing, the establishment of data hosting infrastructure and the creation of a data hosting and archiving community are all necessary steps towards the community ensuring that data archival policies become standardized. PMID:22373257

  15. Biodiversity conservation in agricultural landscapes

    OpenAIRE

    Josefsson, Jonas

    2015-01-01

    Agricultural industrialization alters rural landscapes in Europe, causing large-scale and rapid loss of important biodiversity. The principal instruments to protect farmland biodiversity are various agri-environmental measures (AEMs) in the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). However, growing awareness of shortcomings to CAP biodiversity integration prompts examination of causes and potential solutions. This thesis assesses the importance of structural heterogeneity of crop and non-crop habi...

  16. Hydrogen absorption and its effect on magnetic properties of Nd2Fe14B

    Science.gov (United States)

    Bezdushnyi, R.; Damianova, R.; Tereshina, I. S.; Pankratov, N. Yu.; Nikitin, S. A.

    2018-05-01

    Magnetic properties of hydrides of the intermetallic compound Nd2Fe14BHx are investigated in the temperature range covering the Curie temperatures (TC) of the compounds (up to 670 K). The temperature dependencies of magnetization are measured under continuous control of hydrogen content in the investigated samples. The dependencies of Curie and spin-reorientation transition (TSR) temperatures on the hydrogen concentration are studied in detail. The dependence of hydrogen concentration on pressure at a constant temperature (near TC) and on the temperature at various pressures are obtained. We attempted to estimate the contributions of the unit cell volume increase upon hydrogenation and the electronic structure change in the variation of TC of the hydrogenated Nd2Fe14 B .

  17. Making the case for biodiversity in South Africa: Re-framing biodiversity communications

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Kristal Maze

    2016-12-01

    Conclusion: Based on the findings, a communications strategy known as ‘Making the case for biodiversity’ was developed that re-framed the economic, emotional and practical value propositions for biodiversity. The communications strategy has already resulted in greater political and economic attention towards biodiversity in South Africa.

  18. Breaking boundaries for biodiversity : expanding the policy agenda to halt biodiversity loss

    NARCIS (Netherlands)

    Veen, M.P.; Sanders, M.E.; Tekelenburg, A.; Gerritsen, A.L.; Lörzing, J.A.; Brink, Th.

    2010-01-01

    Our assessment from the perspective of the Netherlands, a country in the temperate zone, showed a slightly positive picture, in line with the overall results for this zone. The loss of biodiversity in the Netherlands has been slowed down, but the European target – halting the loss of biodiversity

  19. Biodiversity of shallow subtidal, under-rock invertebrates in Europe's first marine reserve: Effects of physical factors and scientific sampling

    Science.gov (United States)

    Trowbridge, Cynthia D.; Kachmarik, Katy; Plowman, Caitlin Q.; Little, Colin; Stirling, Penny; McAllen, Rob

    2017-03-01

    At Lough Hyne Marine Reserve in SW Ireland, shallow subtidal, under-rock biodiversity was investigated to assess (i) any deleterious effects of scientific sampling and (ii) quantitative baseline community patterns. Comparisons were made between 10 sites with annual rock-turning disturbance and 10 with multi-decadal (historical) disturbance. At each site, shallow subtidal rocks (N = 1289 total) were lifted, organisms recorded, and rocks replaced in their original position. Biodiversity indices were calculated to evaluate how diversity varied with location within the lough, frequency of sampling disturbance, degree of hypoxia/anoxia, dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration, and number of rocks turned. The richness of solitary invertebrates surveyed in situ averaged 21 taxa per site with significantly more in the South Basin (near the lough's connection to the ocean) than in the North Basin. The Shannon-Wiener Index did not differ significantly with variables investigated. However, evenness was higher at annually disturbed sites than at historical ones where anemones with algal symbionts often dominated. Several sites were hypoxic to anoxic under the shallow subtidal rocks. Cup corals were most abundant in the South Basin; DO was a crucial explanatory variable of these sensitive species. Solitary ascidians were most abundant at South-Basin annual sites with DO levels being a highly significant explanatory variable.

  20. Impacts on terrestrial biodiversity of moving from a 2°C to a 1.5°C target

    Science.gov (United States)

    Smith, Pete; Price, Jeff; Molotoks, Amy; Warren, Rachel; Malhi, Yadvinder

    2018-05-01

    We applied a recently developed tool to examine the reduction in climate risk to biodiversity in moving from a 2°C to a 1.5°C target. We then reviewed the recent literature examining the impact of (a) land-based mitigation options and (b) land-based greenhouse gas removal options on biodiversity. We show that holding warming to 1.5°C versus 2°C can significantly reduce the number of species facing a potential loss of 50% of their climatic range. Further, there would be an increase of 5.5-14% of the globe that could potentially act as climatic refugia for plants and animals, an area equivalent to the current global protected area network. Efforts to meet the 1.5°C target through mitigation could largely be consistent with biodiversity protection/enhancement. For impacts of land-based greenhouse gas removal technologies on biodiversity, some (e.g. soil carbon sequestration) could be neutral or positive, others (e.g. bioenergy with carbon capture and storage) are likely to lead to conflicts, while still others (e.g. afforestation/reforestation) are context-specific, when applied at scales necessary for meaningful greenhouse gas removal. Additional effort to meet the 1.5°C target presents some risks, particularly if inappropriately managed, but it also presents opportunities. This article is part of the theme issue `The Paris Agreement: understanding the physical and social challenges for a warming world of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels'.

  1. Magnetic and structural properties of the Nd{sub 2}(Fe{sub 100-x}Nb{sub x}){sub 14}B system prepared by arc melting

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Oyola Lozano, D., E-mail: doyola@ut.edu.co [University of Tolima, Department of Physics (Colombia); Zamora, L. E.; Perez Alcazar, G. A. [University of Valle, Department of Physics (Colombia); Rojas, Y. A.; Bustos, H. [University of Tolima, Department of Physics (Colombia); Greneche, J. M. [Universite du Maine, Laboratoire de Physique de l' Etat Condense, UMR CNRS 6087 (France)

    2006-04-15

    In this work the magnetic and structural properties are investigated by Moessbauer spectrometry, Vibrating Sample Magnetometry and X-ray diffraction of Nd{sub 2}(Fe{sub 100-x}Nb{sub x}){sub 14}B powdered alloys with x = 0, 2 and 4 prepared by arc melting. The Moessbauer spectra of the samples were fitted with several contributions from: Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B, {alpha}-Fe and a paramagnetic phase associated with Nd{sub 1.1}Fe{sub 4}B{sub 4} for x = 0 and additionally from NbFeB and Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 17} for x = 2 and x = 4. The relative fractions of {alpha}-Fe and Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B are smaller for x = 4 than for x = 0, indicating that the amount of these two phases is reduced with increasing Nb content, while the relative fraction of Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 17} increases. The {alpha}-Fe grain size slightly decreases while that of the Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B phase is increasing, when the Nb content increases. The hysteresis loops indicate that these samples behave as hard ferromagnets, with a coercive field which decreases when the Nb content increases, but with rather low remanent magnetization.

  2. Preparation and characterization of amorphous SiO2 coatings deposited by mirco-arc oxidation on sintered NdFeB permanent magnets

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Xu, J.L.; Xiao, Q.F.; Mei, D.D.; Zhong, Z.C.; Tong, Y.X.; Zheng, Y.F.; Li, L.

    2017-01-01

    Amorphous SiO 2 coatings were prepared on sintered NdFeB magnets by micro-arc oxidation (MAO) in silicate solution. The surface and cross-sectional morphologies, element and phase composition, corrosion resistance and magnetic properties of the coatings were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), potentiodynamic polarization test and physical properties measurements system (PPMS). The results showed that the surface morphologies of the coatings exhibited the “coral reef” like structure, different from the typical MAO porous structure. With increasing the voltages, the thickness of the coatings increased from 12.72 to 19.90 µm, the content of Si element increased, while the contents of Fe, Nd and P elements decreased. The coatings were mainly composed of amorphous SiO 2 and a few amorphous Fe 2 O 3 and Nd 2 O 3 . The amorphous SiO 2 coatings presented excellent thermal shock resistance, while the thermal shock resistance decreased with increasing the voltages. The corrosion resistance of the coatings increased with increasing the voltages, and it could be enhanced by one order of magnitude compared to the uncoated NdFeB magnets. The MAO coatings slightly decreased the magnetic properties of the NdFeB samples in different degrees. - Highlights: • Amorphous SiO 2 coatings were prepared on sintered NdFeB magnets by micro-arc oxidation. • The coatings presented excellent thermal shock resistance. • The corrosion resistance could be enhanced by one order of magnitude. • The MAO coatings slightly decreased the magnetic properties of the NdFeB samples.

  3. Raman Spectroscopy of SiO{sub 2}–Na{sub 2}O–Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}–B{sub 2}O{sub 3} glass doped with Nd{sup 3+} and CdS nanocrystals

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Serqueira, E.O.; Dantas, N.O. [Laboratório de Novos Materiais Isolantes e Semicondutores (LNMIS), Instituto de Física, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG 38400-902 (Brazil); Anjos, V. [Grupo de Espectroscopia de Materiais, Departamento de Física, ICE – UFJF, Campus Universitário, Juiz de Fora, MG 36036-330 (Brazil); Bell, M.J.V., E-mail: mjvbell@yahoo.com.br [Grupo de Espectroscopia de Materiais, Departamento de Física, ICE – UFJF, Campus Universitário, Juiz de Fora, MG 36036-330 (Brazil)

    2014-01-05

    Highlights: • The formation of CdS nanocrystals in the glassy host is shown by Raman measurements. • Nd{sub 2}O{sub 3} modifies the growth of CdS nanocrystals in the SNAB glass. • Nd{sup 3+} ions are not incorporated inside the semiconductor nanocrystals. -- Abstract: We report the Raman spectroscopic characterization of a SNAB glass system doped with neodymium and CdS nanocrystals and fabricated by the fusion process. Raman spectra revealed CdS nanocrystals in the glass host and bands associated with Si–O vibrational modes with five structural configurations, boroxol modes of B{sub 2}O{sub 3}, Al–O and Cd–S vibrational modes. Additionally, Nd{sub 2}O{sub 3} modifies the growth of CdS nanocrystals in the SNAB glass and Nd{sup 3+} ions are not incorporated inside the semiconductor nanocrystals.

  4. 2nd International Conference on Electric and Electronics (EEIC 2012)

    CERN Document Server

    Advances in Electric and Electronics

    2012-01-01

    This volume contains 108 full length papers presented at the 2nd International Conference on Electric and Electronics (EEIC 2012), held on April 21-22 in Sanya, China, which brings together researchers working in many different areas of education and learning to foster international collaborations and exchange of new ideas. This volume can be divided into two sections on the basis of the classification of manuscripts considered: the first section deals with Electric and the second section with Electronics.

  5. Biodiversity in the Anthropocene: prospects and policy

    Science.gov (United States)

    Mace, Georgina M.; Mouillot, David; Vause, James; Walpole, Matt

    2016-01-01

    Meeting the ever-increasing needs of the Earth’s human population without excessively reducing biological diversity is one of the greatest challenges facing humanity, suggesting that new approaches to biodiversity conservation are required. One idea rapidly gaining momentum—as well as opposition—is to incorporate the values of biodiversity into decision-making using economic methods. Here, we develop several lines of argument for how biodiversity might be valued, building on recent developments in natural science, economics and science-policy processes. Then we provide a synoptic guide to the papers in this special feature, summarizing recent research advances relevant to biodiversity valuation and management. Current evidence suggests that more biodiverse systems have greater stability and resilience, and that by maximizing key components of biodiversity we maximize an ecosystem’s long-term value. Moreover, many services and values arising from biodiversity are interdependent, and often poorly captured by standard economic models. We conclude that economic valuation approaches to biodiversity conservation should (i) account for interdependency and (ii) complement rather than replace traditional approaches. To identify possible solutions, we present a framework for understanding the foundational role of hard-to-quantify ‘biodiversity services’ in sustaining the value of ecosystems to humanity, and then use this framework to highlight new directions for pure and applied research. In most cases, clarifying the links between biodiversity and ecosystem services, and developing effective policy and practice for managing biodiversity, will require a genuinely interdisciplinary approach. PMID:27928040

  6. Biodiversity in the Anthropocene: prospects and policy.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Seddon, Nathalie; Mace, Georgina M; Naeem, Shahid; Tobias, Joseph A; Pigot, Alex L; Cavanagh, Rachel; Mouillot, David; Vause, James; Walpole, Matt

    2016-12-14

    Meeting the ever-increasing needs of the Earth's human population without excessively reducing biological diversity is one of the greatest challenges facing humanity, suggesting that new approaches to biodiversity conservation are required. One idea rapidly gaining momentum-as well as opposition-is to incorporate the values of biodiversity into decision-making using economic methods. Here, we develop several lines of argument for how biodiversity might be valued, building on recent developments in natural science, economics and science-policy processes. Then we provide a synoptic guide to the papers in this special feature, summarizing recent research advances relevant to biodiversity valuation and management. Current evidence suggests that more biodiverse systems have greater stability and resilience, and that by maximizing key components of biodiversity we maximize an ecosystem's long-term value. Moreover, many services and values arising from biodiversity are interdependent, and often poorly captured by standard economic models. We conclude that economic valuation approaches to biodiversity conservation should (i) account for interdependency and (ii) complement rather than replace traditional approaches. To identify possible solutions, we present a framework for understanding the foundational role of hard-to-quantify 'biodiversity services' in sustaining the value of ecosystems to humanity, and then use this framework to highlight new directions for pure and applied research. In most cases, clarifying the links between biodiversity and ecosystem services, and developing effective policy and practice for managing biodiversity, will require a genuinely interdisciplinary approach. © 2016 The Author(s).

  7. Nd:Yag laser iridotomy in Shaffer-Etienne grade 1 and 2:angle widening in our case studies

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Sandra Cinzia Carlesimo

    2015-08-01

    Full Text Available AIM:To obtain widening of a potentially occludable angle, in according to Kanski’s indications, through preventive Nd:Yag laser iridotomy. The observational study was performed by using gonioscopy for the selection and follow-up of 1165 treated eyes and exploiting Shaffer-Etienne gonioscopic classification as a quality/quantity test of the angle recession.METHODS:Between September 2000 and July 2012, 586 patients were selected at the Outpatients’ Ophthalmological Clinic of the Policlinico Umberto I of Rome in order to undergo Nd:Yag laser iridotomy. A Goldmann type contact lens, Q-switched mode, 2-3 defocus, and 7-9 mJ intensity with 2-3 impulse discharges were used for surgery.RESULTS:From as early as the first week, a whole 360° angle widening were evident in the patients, thus showing the success of Nd:Yag laser iridotomy in solving relative pupil block. The angle remained narrow by 270° in 14 eyes only, despite repetitions of further treatment with laser iridotomy in a different part of the iris, twice in 10 eyes and three times in 4 eyes.CONCLUSION:Nd:Yag laser iridotomy revealed itself as being a safe and effective treatment in widening those critical Shaffer-Etienne grade 1 and 2 potentially occludable angles.

  8. Thermodynamic Studies on NdFeO 3(s)

    Science.gov (United States)

    Parida, S. C.; Dash, Smruti; Singh, Ziley; Prasad, R.; Jacob, K. T.; Venugopal, V.

    2002-02-01

    The enthalpy increments and the standard molar Gibbs energy of formation of NdFeO3(s) have been measured using a high-temperature Calvet microcalorimeter and a solid oxide galvanic cell, respectively. A λ-type transition, related to magnetic order-disorder transformation (antiferromagnetic to paramagnetic), is apparent from the heat capacity data at ∼687 K. Enthalpy increments, except in the vicinity of transition, can be represented by a polynomial expression: {H°m(T)-H°m(298.15 K)}/J·mol-1 (±0.7%)=-53625.6+146.0(T/K) +1.150×10-4(T/K)2 +3.007×106(T/K)-1; (298.15≤T/K ≤1000). The heat capacity, the first differential of {H°m(T)-H°m(298.15 K)} with respect to temperature, is given by Cop, m/J·K-1·mol-1=146.0+2.30×10-4(T/K)-3.007×106(T/K)-2. The reversible emf's of the cell, (-) Pt/{NdFeO3(s) +Nd2O3(s)+Fe(s)}//YDT/CSZ//{Fe(s)'FeO'(s)}/Pt(+), were measured in the temperature range from 1004 to 1208 K. It can be represented within experimental error by a linear equation: E/V:(0.1418±0.0003)-(3.890±0.023)×10-5(T/K). The Gibbs energy of formation of solid NdFeO3 calculated by the least-squares regression analysis of the data obtained in the present study, and data for Fe0.95O and Nd2O3 from the literature, is given by ΔfG°m(NdFeO3, s)/kJ·mol-1(±2.0)=-1345.9+0.2542(T/K); (1000≤T/K ≤1650). The error in ΔfG°m(NdFeO3, s, T) includes the standard deviation in emf and the uncertainty in the data taken from the literature. Values of ΔfH°m(NdFeO3, s, 298.15 K) and S°m(NdFeO3, s, 298.15 K) calculated by the second law method are -1362.5 (±6) kJ·mol-1 and 123.9 (±2.5) J·K-1·mol-1, respectively. Based on the thermodynamic information, an oxygen potential diagram for the system Nd-Fe-O was developed at 1350 K.

  9. The temperature dependence of magnetic anisotropy of Nd-Fe-B thin films

    Science.gov (United States)

    Sato, Takuya; Hashimoto, Ryuji; Tanaka, Yoshitomo; Suzuki, Kenichi; Enokido, Yasushi; Choi, Kyung-Ku; Suzuki, Takao

    2018-05-01

    The magnetic properties of Nd-Fe-B thin films with the three different compositions (#1: Nd12.6Fe81.5B5.9, #2: Nd14.6Fe78.1B7.4 and #3: Nd22.6Fe66.2B11.2) are discussed. With increasing Nd content, the c-axis orientation along the film normal is enhanced. It is found that sample #2 possesses the saturation magnetization Ms very close to that for Nd2Fe14B over a temperature range from 100 to about 300K. The magnetic anisotropy constant Ku2 for sample #2 is the highest among those samples, but smaller by about 20%, as compared to that for Nd2Fe14B. It is of interest to note that the temperature TR at which Ku1 changes its sign is lower by about 30K as compared to that previously reported for Nd2Fe14B. The reason for this discrepancy is not clear, but could be due to the presence of the minority phases of Nd-rich compounds and also a possible contribution of the magneto-elastic effect to the net magnetic anisotropy.

  10. Relationship between biodiversity and agricultural production

    OpenAIRE

    Brunetti, Ilaria; Tidball, Mabel; Couvet, Denis

    2018-01-01

    Agriculture is one of the main causes of biodiversity loss. In this work we model the interdependent relationship between biodiversity and agriculture on a farmed land, supposing that, while agriculture has a negative impact on biodiversity, the latter can increase agricultural production. Farmers act as myopic agents, who maximize their instantaneous profit without considering the negative effects of their practice on the evolution of biodiversity. We find that a tax on inputs can have a pos...

  11. Challenges of Biodiversity Education: A Review of Education Strategies for Biodiversity Education

    Science.gov (United States)

    Navarro-Perez, Moramay; Tidball, Keith G.

    2012-01-01

    Biodiversity conservation has increasingly gained recognition in national and international agendas. The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has positioned biodiversity as a key asset to be protected to ensure our well-being and that of future generations. Nearly 20 years after its inception, results are not as expected, as shown in the…

  12. Raman and Fluorescence Spectroscopy of CeO2, Er2O3, Nd2O3, Tm2O3, Yb2O3, La2O3, and Tb4O7

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Jianlan Cui

    2015-01-01

    Full Text Available To better understand and ascertain the mechanisms of flotation reagent interaction with rare earth (RE minerals, it is necessary to determine the physical and chemical properties of the constituent components. Seven rare earth oxides (CeO2, Er2O3, Nd2O3, Tm2O3, Yb2O3, La2O3, and Tb4O7 that cover the rare earth elements (REEs from light to heavy REEs have been investigated using Raman spectroscopy. Multiple laser sources (wavelengths of 325 nm, 442 nm, 514 nm, and 632.8 nm for the Raman shift ranges from 100 cm−1 to 5000 cm−1 of these excitations were used for each individual rare earth oxide. Raman shifts and fluorescence emission have been identified. Theoretical energy levels for Er, Nd, and Yb were used for the interpretation of fluorescence emission. The experimental results showed good agreement with the theoretical calculation for Er2O3 and Nd2O3. Additional fluorescence emission was observed with Yb2O3 that did not fit the reported energy level diagram. Tb4O7 was observed undergoing laser induced changes during examination.

  13. A biodiversity indicators dashboard: addressing challenges to monitoring progress towards the Aichi biodiversity targets using disaggregated global data.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Han, Xuemei; Smyth, Regan L; Young, Bruce E; Brooks, Thomas M; Sánchez de Lozada, Alexandra; Bubb, Philip; Butchart, Stuart H M; Larsen, Frank W; Hamilton, Healy; Hansen, Matthew C; Turner, Will R

    2014-01-01

    Recognizing the imperiled status of biodiversity and its benefit to human well-being, the world's governments committed in 2010 to take effective and urgent action to halt biodiversity loss through the Convention on Biological Diversity's "Aichi Targets". These targets, and many conservation programs, require monitoring to assess progress toward specific goals. However, comprehensive and easily understood information on biodiversity trends at appropriate spatial scales is often not available to the policy makers, managers, and scientists who require it. We surveyed conservation stakeholders in three geographically diverse regions of critical biodiversity concern (the Tropical Andes, the African Great Lakes, and the Greater Mekong) and found high demand for biodiversity indicator information but uneven availability. To begin to address this need, we present a biodiversity "dashboard"--a visualization of biodiversity indicators designed to enable tracking of biodiversity and conservation performance data in a clear, user-friendly format. This builds on previous, more conceptual, indicator work to create an operationalized online interface communicating multiple indicators at multiple spatial scales. We structured this dashboard around the Pressure-State-Response-Benefit framework, selecting four indicators to measure pressure on biodiversity (deforestation rate), state of species (Red List Index), conservation response (protection of key biodiversity areas), and benefits to human populations (freshwater provision). Disaggregating global data, we present dashboard maps and graphics for the three regions surveyed and their component countries. These visualizations provide charts showing regional and national trends and lay the foundation for a web-enabled, interactive biodiversity indicators dashboard. This new tool can help track progress toward the Aichi Targets, support national monitoring and reporting, and inform outcome-based policy-making for the protection of

  14. A biodiversity indicators dashboard: addressing challenges to monitoring progress towards the Aichi biodiversity targets using disaggregated global data.

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Xuemei Han

    Full Text Available Recognizing the imperiled status of biodiversity and its benefit to human well-being, the world's governments committed in 2010 to take effective and urgent action to halt biodiversity loss through the Convention on Biological Diversity's "Aichi Targets". These targets, and many conservation programs, require monitoring to assess progress toward specific goals. However, comprehensive and easily understood information on biodiversity trends at appropriate spatial scales is often not available to the policy makers, managers, and scientists who require it. We surveyed conservation stakeholders in three geographically diverse regions of critical biodiversity concern (the Tropical Andes, the African Great Lakes, and the Greater Mekong and found high demand for biodiversity indicator information but uneven availability. To begin to address this need, we present a biodiversity "dashboard"--a visualization of biodiversity indicators designed to enable tracking of biodiversity and conservation performance data in a clear, user-friendly format. This builds on previous, more conceptual, indicator work to create an operationalized online interface communicating multiple indicators at multiple spatial scales. We structured this dashboard around the Pressure-State-Response-Benefit framework, selecting four indicators to measure pressure on biodiversity (deforestation rate, state of species (Red List Index, conservation response (protection of key biodiversity areas, and benefits to human populations (freshwater provision. Disaggregating global data, we present dashboard maps and graphics for the three regions surveyed and their component countries. These visualizations provide charts showing regional and national trends and lay the foundation for a web-enabled, interactive biodiversity indicators dashboard. This new tool can help track progress toward the Aichi Targets, support national monitoring and reporting, and inform outcome-based policy-making for the

  15. A Biodiversity Indicators Dashboard: Addressing Challenges to Monitoring Progress towards the Aichi Biodiversity Targets Using Disaggregated Global Data

    Science.gov (United States)

    Han, Xuemei; Smyth, Regan L.; Young, Bruce E.; Brooks, Thomas M.; Sánchez de Lozada, Alexandra; Bubb, Philip; Butchart, Stuart H. M.; Larsen, Frank W.; Hamilton, Healy; Hansen, Matthew C.; Turner, Will R.

    2014-01-01

    Recognizing the imperiled status of biodiversity and its benefit to human well-being, the world's governments committed in 2010 to take effective and urgent action to halt biodiversity loss through the Convention on Biological Diversity's “Aichi Targets”. These targets, and many conservation programs, require monitoring to assess progress toward specific goals. However, comprehensive and easily understood information on biodiversity trends at appropriate spatial scales is often not available to the policy makers, managers, and scientists who require it. We surveyed conservation stakeholders in three geographically diverse regions of critical biodiversity concern (the Tropical Andes, the African Great Lakes, and the Greater Mekong) and found high demand for biodiversity indicator information but uneven availability. To begin to address this need, we present a biodiversity “dashboard” – a visualization of biodiversity indicators designed to enable tracking of biodiversity and conservation performance data in a clear, user-friendly format. This builds on previous, more conceptual, indicator work to create an operationalized online interface communicating multiple indicators at multiple spatial scales. We structured this dashboard around the Pressure-State-Response-Benefit framework, selecting four indicators to measure pressure on biodiversity (deforestation rate), state of species (Red List Index), conservation response (protection of key biodiversity areas), and benefits to human populations (freshwater provision). Disaggregating global data, we present dashboard maps and graphics for the three regions surveyed and their component countries. These visualizations provide charts showing regional and national trends and lay the foundation for a web-enabled, interactive biodiversity indicators dashboard. This new tool can help track progress toward the Aichi Targets, support national monitoring and reporting, and inform outcome-based policy-making for the

  16. Growth and Characterization of Ce- Substituted Nd2Fe1411B Single Crystals

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Susner, M. A. [Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Materials Science and Technology Division; Conner, B. S. [Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Materials Science and Technology Division; Saparov, B. I. [Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Materials Science and Technology Division; McGuire, M. A. [Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Materials Science and Technology Division; Crumlin, E. J. [Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States). Advanced Light Source; Veith, G. M. [Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States). Advanced Light Source; Cao, H. B. [Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Quantum Condensed Matter Division; Shanavas, K. V. [Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Materials Science and Technology Division; Parker, D. S. [Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Materials Science and Technology Division; Chakoumakos, B. C. [Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Quantum Condensed Matter Division; Sales, B. C. [Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Materials Science and Technology Division

    2015-08-31

    Single crystals of (Nd1-xCex)2Fe14B are grown out of Fe-(Nd,Ce) flux. Chemical and structural analysis of the crystals indicates that (Nd1-xCex)2Fe14B forms a solid solution until at least x = 0.38 with a Vegard-like variation of the lattice constants with x. Refinements of single crystal neutron diffraction data indicate that Ce has a slight site preference (7:3) for the 4g rare earth site over the 4f site. Furthermore, magnetization measurements show that for x = 0.38 the saturation magnetization at 400 K, a temperature important to applications, falls from 29.8 for the parent Nd2Fe14B to 27.6 μB/f.u., the anisotropy field decreases from 5.5 T to 4.7 T, and the Curie temperature decreases from 586 to 543 K. First principles calculations carried out within density functional theory are used to explain the decrease in magnetic properties due to Ce substitution. Although the presence of the lower-cost and more abundant Ce slightly affects these important magnetic characteristics, this decrease is not large enough to affect a multitude of applications. Ce-substituted Nd2Fe14B is therefore a potential high-performance permanent magnet material with substantially reduced Nd content.

  17. Economic growth, biodiversity loss and conservation effort.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Dietz, Simon; Adger, W Neil

    2003-05-01

    This paper investigates the relationship between economic growth, biodiversity loss and efforts to conserve biodiversity using a combination of panel and cross section data. If economic growth is a cause of biodiversity loss through habitat transformation and other means, then we would expect an inverse relationship. But if higher levels of income are associated with increasing real demand for biodiversity conservation, then investment to protect remaining diversity should grow and the rate of biodiversity loss should slow with growth. Initially, economic growth and biodiversity loss are examined within the framework of the environmental Kuznets hypothesis. Biodiversity is represented by predicted species richness, generated for tropical terrestrial biodiversity using a species-area relationship. The environmental Kuznets hypothesis is investigated with reference to comparison of fixed and random effects models to allow the relationship to vary for each country. It is concluded that an environmental Kuznets curve between income and rates of loss of habitat and species does not exist in this case. The role of conservation effort in addressing environmental problems is examined through state protection of land and the regulation of trade in endangered species, two important means of biodiversity conservation. This analysis shows that the extent of government environmental policy increases with economic development. We argue that, although the data are problematic, the implications of these models is that conservation effort can only ever result in a partial deceleration of biodiversity decline partly because protected areas serve multiple functions and are not necessarily designated to protect biodiversity. Nevertheless institutional and policy response components of the income biodiversity relationship are important but are not well captured through cross-country regression analysis.

  18. Anomalous compression behaviour in Nd2O3 studied by x-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Sheng Jiang

    2018-02-01

    Full Text Available The structural stability of hexagonal Nd2O3 under pressure has been investigated by in situ synchrotron angle dispersive x-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy up to 53.1 GPa and 37.0 GPa, respectively. Rietveld analysis of the x-ray diffraction data indicate that the hexagonal Nd2O3 undergoes an isostructural phase transition in the pressure range from 10.2 to 20.3 GPa, accompanied by anomalous lattice compressibility and pressure-volume curve. A third-order Birch-Murnaghan fit based on the observed Pressure-Volume data yields zero pressure bulk moduli (B0 of 142(4 and 183(6 GPa for the low and high pressure hexagonal phases, respectively. Raman spectroscopy confirms this isostructural transition, the pressure dependence of the Raman modes display noticeable breaks in the pressure range of 9.7-20.9 GPa, which is consistent with the change of Nd-O bond length. The pressure coefficients of Raman peaks and the mode Grüneisen parameters of different Raman modes were also determined.

  19. Twinning microstructure and charge ordering in the colossal magnetoresistive manganite Nd1/2Sr1/2MnO3

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Luo, Z.P.; Miller, D.J.; Mitchell, J.F.

    2000-01-01

    Charge ordering (C.O.) in the colossal magnetoresistive (CMR) manganites gives rise to an insulating, high-resistance state. This charge ordered state can be melted into a low-resistance metallic-like state by the application of magnetic field. Thus, the potential to attain high values of magnetoresistance with the application of small magnetic fields may be aided by a better understanding of the charge-ordering phenomenon. This study focused on microstructural characterization in Nd 1/2 Sr 1/2 MnO 3 . In Nd 1/2 Sr 1/2 MnO 3 , the nominal valence of Mn is 3.5+. On cooling, charge can localize and lead to a charge ordering between Mn 3+ and Mn 4+. The ordering of charge results in a superlattice structure and a reduction in symmetry. Thin foil specimens were prepared from bulk samples by conventional thinning and ion milling (at LiqN 2 temperature) methods. The room temperature TEM observation of Nd 1/2 Sr 1/2 MnO 3 reveals that it contains a highly twinned microstructure, together with a small number of stacking faults (SFS). A figure shows the same area of the specimen at different zone axes obtained by tilting around two perpendicular directions as indicated. Three grains A, B and C are labeled for each of the zone axes. The room temperature EDPs from the matrix and twins shows an approximate 90degree rotation suggesting a 90degree twin orientation. These results are further confirmed by C.O. at low temperatures. The twinning planes can be determined by tilting with large angles

  20. 12 CFR 918.2 - Annual directors' compensation policy.

    Science.gov (United States)

    2010-01-01

    ... § 918.3. At a minimum, such policy shall address the activities or functions for which attendance is... 12 Banks and Banking 7 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Annual directors' compensation policy. 918.2... HOME LOAN BANKS BANK DIRECTOR COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES § 918.2 Annual directors' compensation policy...

  1. What is marine biodiversity? Towards common concepts and their implications for assessing biodiversity status

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Sabine Cochrane

    2016-12-01

    Full Text Available ‘Biodiversity’ is one of the most common keywords used in environmental sciences, spanning from research to management, nature conservation and consultancy. Despite this, our understanding of the underlying concepts varies greatly, between and within disciplines as well as among the scientists themselves. Biodiversity can refer to descriptions or assessments of the status and condition of all or selected groups of organisms, from the genetic variability, to the species, populations, communities, and ecosystems. However, a concept of biodiversity also must encompass understanding the interactions and functions on all levels from individuals up to the whole ecosystem, including changes related to natural and anthropogenic environmental pressures. While biodiversity as such is an abstract and relative concept rooted in the spatial domain, it is central to most international, European and national governance initiatives aimed at protecting the marine environment. These rely on status assessments of biodiversity which typically require numerical targets and specific reference values, to allow comparison in space and/or time, often in association with some external structuring factors such as physical and biogeochemical conditions. Given that our ability to apply and interpret such assessments requires a solid conceptual understanding of marine biodiversity, here we define this and show how the abstract concept can and needs to be interpreted and subsequently applied in biodiversity assessments.

  2. Boundary structure modification and magnetic properties of Nd-Fe-B sintered magnets by co-doping with Dy{sub 2}O{sub 3}/S powders

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Yang, Fang [Institute for Advanced Materials& Technology, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083 (China); Guo, Leichen [School of Engineering Technology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907 (United States); Li, Ping [Institute for Advanced Materials& Technology, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083 (China); Zhao, Xuzhe [School of Engineering Technology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907 (United States); Sui, Yanli [State Key Laboratory for Advanced Metals and Materials, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083 (China); Guo, Zhimeng, E-mail: guozhimengustb@163.com [Institute for Advanced Materials& Technology, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083 (China); Gao, Xuexu [State Key Laboratory for Advanced Metals and Materials, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083 (China)

    2017-05-01

    In this paper, the effect of Dy{sub 2}O{sub 3}/S co-doping on the magnetic properties and microstructure was studied in Nd-Fe-B sintered magnets. With S co-doping, the coercivity increased due to grain boundary modification and Dy selective introduction. Continuous grain boundary phases were formed in the co-doped magnets with smaller grain size. The average grain size after a doping of 0.2 wt% S is 7.25 µm, which is approximately 2.37 µm smaller than that of the S-free sintered magnets(9.62 µm). The coercivity of the Dy{sub 2}O{sub 3}/0.2 wt% S co-doped magnets could be increased from 20.9 to 22.8 kOe with changing the remanence and the maximum magnetic energy product slightly. S precipitates in the Nd-rich phases were hexagonal Nd{sub 2}O{sub 2}S phase. Dy avoided the Nd{sub 2}O{sub 2}S phase in the triple junction region, resulting in more available Dy atoms diffusing into the Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B phase grains to enhance the anisotropy field. Dy-saving was achieved by forming Nd{sub 2}O{sub 2}S phase in the Dy{sub 2}O{sub 3}/S co-doped magnets. - Highlights: • The average grain size of Dy{sub 2}O{sub 3}/S co-doped magnets is 2.37 μm smaller than that of Dy{sub 2}O{sub 3} doped magnets. • The Dy atoms avoid the Nd{sub 2}O{sub 2}S phases and more of them become available to diffuse into the Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B phases. • The coercivity reaches maximum when S content is 0.2 wt%, 9% higher than the 20.9 kOe coercivity of the S-free magnets.

  3. Glassy behavior of the Nd sublattice induced by Fe doping in NdFexGa1-xO3

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Bartolome, F.; Parra-Borderias, M.; Blasco, J.; Bartolome, J.

    2007-01-01

    The evolution of the magnetic ordering of Nd with the Fe content in NdFe x Ga 1-x O 3 is studied by low-temperature specific-heat measurements for x= =0.2. Fe doping creates a distribution of internal fields on Nd, originating a Schottky contribution to the specific heat which is present for x>0. The power law followed by the low-temperature specific heat suggests a glassy behavior for x>=0.1

  4. European Biodiversity Observation Network – EBONE

    NARCIS (Netherlands)

    Halada, L.; Jongman, R.H.G.; Gerard, F.; Whittaker, L.; Bunce, R.G.H.; Bauch, B.; Schmeller, D.S.

    2009-01-01

    EBONE (European Biodiversity Observation Network) is a project developing a system of biodiversity observation at regional, national and European levels as a contribution to European reporting on biodiversity. The project focuses on GEO (Group of Earth Observations) task BI 07-01 to unify many of

  5. Spectroscopic properties of highly Nd-doped lead phosphate glass

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Novais, A.L.F. [Instituto de Física, Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Grupo de Fotônica e Fluidos Complexos, 57072-970 Maceió, AL (Brazil); Dantas, N.O. [Laboratório de Novos Materiais Isolantes e Semicondutores (LNMIS), Instituto de Física, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, 38400-902 Uberlândia, MG (Brazil); Guedes, I. [Departamento de Física, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Campus do PICI, Caixa Postal 6030, 60455-760 Fortaleza, CE (Brazil); Vermelho, M.V.D., E-mail: vermelho@fis.ufal.br [Instituto de Física, Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Grupo de Fotônica e Fluidos Complexos, 57072-970 Maceió, AL (Brazil)

    2015-11-05

    The spectroscopic characteristics of highly Nd{sup 3+}-doped lead phosphate glasses (xNd:Pb{sub 3}(PO{sub 4}){sub 2}) have been investigated. The X-ray spectra show that the matrices are glassy up to 25 wt% of Nd{sup 3+} doping. From the Judd–Ofelt analysis we observe that while the Ω{sub (2)} parameter remains constant indicating that the 4f{sup N} and 4f{sup N−1}5 d{sup 1} configurations are not affected by the Nd{sup 3+} doping, the behavior of both Ω{sub (4)} and Ω{sub (6)} changes for 15 wt% of Nd{sup 3+} doping. The reduction of the Ω{sub (6)} parameter is related to the increase of the covalence bonding between the ligands and the Nd{sup 3+} ions. At this particular concentration, the radiative lifetime has a four-fold enhancement. Such behaviors are likely to be related to a modification in the glass structure for high Nd{sup 3+} concentrations. - Graphical abstract: Highly doped lead-phosphate glass matrix, with nominal concentration of up to 25 wt%, maintain the spectroscopic properties without deterioration. The analysis concerning the point of view of Nd{sup 3+} ions showed that high concentrations only affects the rare earth electronic charge density distribution. - Highlights: • Spectroscopic characterization of Nd{sub 2}O{sub 3} highly doped lead phosphate glasses. • Phosphate glass doped with Nd{sup 3+} for applications in photonic devices. • Judd–Ofelt analysis in phosphate glasses doped with Neodymium.

  6. Observation of Pseudopartial Grain Boundary Wetting in the NdFeB-Based Alloy

    Science.gov (United States)

    Straumal, B. B.; Mazilkin, A. A.; Protasova, S. G.; Schütz, G.; Straumal, A. B.; Baretzky, B.

    2016-08-01

    The NdFeB-based alloys were invented in 1980s and remain the best-known hard magnetic alloys. In order to reach the optimum magnetic properties, the grains of hard magnetic Nd2Fe14B phase have to be isolated from one another by the (possibly thin) layers of a non-ferromagnetic Nd-rich phase. In this work, we observe that the few-nanometer-thin layers of the Nd-rich phase appear between Nd2Fe14B grains due to the pseudopartial grain boundary (GB) wetting. Namely, some Nd2Fe14B/Nd2Fe14B GBs are not completely wetted by the Nd-rich melt and have the high contact angle with the liquid phase and, nevertheless, contain the 2-4-nm-thin uniform Nd-rich layer.

  7. In Defence of Biodiversity

    NARCIS (Netherlands)

    Archer, Alfred; Burch Brown, Joanna

    2017-01-01

    The concept of biodiversity has played a central role within conservation biology over the last thirty years. Precisely how it should be understood, however, is a matter of ongoing debate. In this paper we defend what we call a classic multidimensional conception of biodiversity. We begin by

  8. Effects of thermal oxidation duration on the structural and electrical properties of Nd{sub 2}O{sub 3}/Si system

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Hetherin, Karuppiah; Ramesh, S.; Wong, Yew Hoong [University of Malaya, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)

    2017-08-15

    A study on the growth, structure and electrical properties of Nd{sub 2}O{sub 3} was carried out experimentally on RF sputtered thin film on Si followed by thermal oxidation at 700 C at different oxidation durations (5, 10, 15 and 20 min). The structural and chemical properties were studied by X-ray diffraction analysis, Fourier transform infrared analysis, Raman analysis and high resolution transmission electron microscopy analysis. The formation of cubic-Nd{sub 2}O{sub 3}, orthorhombic-Nd{sub 2}Si{sub 2}O{sub 7}, monoclinic-SiO{sub 2}, tetragonal-SiO{sub 2} and hexagonal-SiO{sub 2} was detected. A single interfacial layer was detected for the sample oxidized at 15 min and double interfacial layers were detected for the samples oxidized at 5, 10 and 20 min. The sample oxidized at 15 min possessed the best electrical properties which were attributed by the highest Nd{sub 2}O{sub 3} intensity, largest SiO{sub 2} crystallite structure, thinnest interfacial and oxide layer, highest barrier height, lowest effective oxide charges, slow trap density and average interface trap density. (orig.)

  9. 2nd International Conference on Natural Fibers

    CERN Document Server

    Rana, Sohel

    2016-01-01

    This book collects selected high quality articles submitted to the 2nd International Conference on Natural Fibers (ICNF2015). A wide range of topics is covered related to various aspects of natural fibres such as agriculture, extraction and processing, surface modification and functionalization, advanced structures, nano fibres, composites and nanocomposites, design and product development, applications, market potential, and environmental impact. Divided into separate sections on these various topics, the book presents the latest high quality research work addressing different approaches and techniques to improve processing, performance, functionalities and cost-effectiveness of natural fibre and natural based products, in order to promote their applications in various advanced technical sectors. This book is a useful source of information for materials scientists, teachers and students from various disciplines as well as for R& D staff in industries using natural fibre based materials. .

  10. 2nd International Conference on NeuroRehabilitation

    CERN Document Server

    Andersen, Ole; Akay, Metin

    2014-01-01

    The book is the proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on NeuroRehabilitation (ICNR 2014), held 24th-26th June 2014 in Aalborg, Denmark. The conference featured the latest highlights in the emerging and interdisciplinary field of neural rehabilitation engineering and identified important healthcare challenges the scientific community will be faced with in the coming years. Edited and written by leading experts in the field, the book includes keynote papers, regular conference papers, and contributions to special and innovation sessions, covering the following main topics: neuro-rehabilitation applications and solutions for restoring impaired neurological functions; cutting-edge technologies and methods in neuro-rehabilitation; and translational challenges in neuro-rehabilitation. Thanks to its highly interdisciplinary approach, the book will not only be a  highly relevant reference guide for academic researchers, engineers, neurophysiologists, neuroscientists, physicians and physiotherapists workin...

  11. Biodiversity as a multidimensional construct: a review, framework and case study of herbivory's impact on plant biodiversity

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Naeem, S.; Prager, Case; Weeks, Brian

    2016-01-01

    Biodiversity is inherently multidimensional, encompassing taxonomic, functional, phylogenetic, genetic, landscape and many other elements of variability of life on the Earth. However, this fundamental principle of multidimensionality is rarely applied in research aimed at understanding biodiversity...... on understory plant cover at Black Rock Forest, New York. Using three biodiversity dimensions (taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic diversity) to explore our framework, we found that herbivory alters biodiversity's multidimensional influence on plant cover; an effect not observable through a unidimensional...

  12. PREFACE: 2nd International Conference on Innovative Materials, Structures and Technologies

    Science.gov (United States)

    Ručevskis, Sandris

    2015-11-01

    The 2nd International Conference on Innovative Materials, Structures and Technologies (IMST 2015) took place in Riga, Latvia from 30th September - 2nd October, 2015. The first event of the conference series, dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the Faculty of Civil Engineering of Riga Technical University, was held in 2013. Following the established tradition, the aim of the conference was to promote and discuss the latest results of industrial and academic research carried out in the following engineering fields: analysis and design of advanced structures and buildings; innovative, ecological and energy efficient building materials; maintenance, inspection and monitoring methods; construction technologies; structural management; sustainable and safe transport infrastructure; and geomatics and geotechnics. The conference provided an excellent opportunity for leading researchers, representatives of the industrial community, engineers, managers and students to share the latest achievements, discuss recent advances and highlight the current challenges. IMST 2015 attracted over 120 scientists from 24 countries. After rigorous reviewing, over 80 technical papers were accepted for publication in the conference proceedings. On behalf of the organizing committee I would like to thank all the speakers, authors, session chairs and reviewers for their efficient and timely effort. The 2nd International Conference on Innovative Materials, Structures and Technologies was organized by the Faculty of Civil Engineering of Riga Technical University with the support of the Latvia State Research Programme under the grant agreement "INNOVATIVE MATERIALS AND SMART TECHNOLOGIES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY, IMATEH". I would like to express sincere gratitude to Juris Smirnovs, Dean of the Faculty of Civil Engineering, and Andris Chate, manager of the Latvia State Research Programme. Finally, I would like to thank all those who helped to make this event happen. Special thanks go to Diana

  13. Synthesis, single crystal growth and thermodynamic properties of SrNdAlO4-CaNdAlO4 solid solutions

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Novoselov, A.; Ryumin, M.; Pushkina, G.; Spiridonov, F.; Komissarova, L.; Zimina, G.; Pajaczkowska, A.

    2005-01-01

    Continuous solid solutions in the SrNdAlO 4 -CaNdAlO 4 system are formed. Powder samples of Sr x Ca 1-x NdAlO 4 (0.0≤x≤1.0) were obtained using the carbonate coprecipitation method while single crystals of Sr x Ca 1-x NdAlO 4 (x=0.0,0.162,0.392,0.687,1.0) were grown by the Czochralski method. Structural parameters and thermodynamic properties of the samples were studied by X-ray diffraction and heat flux Calvet calorimetry. Composition dependence of lattice constants was observed to follow Vegard's low. Heat of solution of the Sr x Ca 1-x NdAlO 4 samples in molten 2PbO.B 2 O 3 were measured, and enthalpies of formation and mixing were calculated. (copyright 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim) (orig.)

  14. Annual report 1970 - 1971 - 1972

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Freund, J.; Hildebrandt, G.; Huber, A.; Klockgether, J.; Piplies, L.; Ross, W.; Radebold, R.

    1972-12-01

    The 1st part reports on the international MHD research, the project of a liquid metal MHD system in the FRG, the task to be solved in the special research section, and the purpose of the present annual report. The 2nd part discusses the status of and advances in MHD research on an international scale as well as at the Technische Universitaet Berlin and presents a list of the papers published in the period under report, the contributions to public colloquia and other, more general activities. The 3rd part describes the structure, function, and organisation of the special research section, presents data on its personnel and financial capacity, and reports on what was learnt in organisational practice. (GG/AK) [de

  15. Nd-Fe-B/Sm-M/Nd-M (M = Fe, Co, Ti, Cu, Zr) hybrid magnets with improved thermal stability

    Science.gov (United States)

    Grigoras, M.; Lostun, M.; Urse, M.; Borza, F.; Chiriac, H.; Lupu, N.

    2018-02-01

    Hybrid magnets of Nd12Fe82B6(2:14:1-phase)/Nd9.4Fe59Co25.3Ti6.3(3:29-phase) and Nd12Fe82B6/Sm11.1Co65.8Fe8.9Cu10.7Zr3.5(2:17-phase) with different weight ratio have been prepared by spark plasma sintering pressing technique from ball-milled powders obtained from melt-spun ribbons. Influence of the ratio between the two phases on the magnetic properties and thermal stability of the hybrid magnets was studied. It has been found that the ratio has a remarkable influence, especially on the thermal stability of the bulk magnets. However, the magnetic properties of such type of hybrid magnets result not only from the type and ratio of components but also from the interaction between them. It was found that in NdFeB/3:29 hybrid magnets with 15% content of 3:29-phase, the temperature coefficients of remanence (α) and of coercivity (β) are improved from -0.095 to -0.082 (%/°C) and from -0.57 to -0.47 (%/°C), respectively, as compared to the Nd2Fe14B single-phase counterpart. While for the NdFeB/2:17 hybrid magnets the content of 2:17-phase is not significantly influencing the temperature coefficient of induction (α), the temperature coefficient of °C (β) increases up to -0.41 (%/°C) for 10% content of 2:17-phase. The increase in the reversible temperature coefficients of hybrid magnets indicate a remarkable improvement of their thermal stability.

  16. Inter-American Biodiversity Information Network (IABIN)

    Science.gov (United States)

    site. IABIN Inter-American Biodiversity Information Network (IABIN) OAS » SEDI » DSD » IABIN IABIN GEF Logo inbio natserve usgs polpar wcm The Inter-American Biodiversity Information Network (IABIN , and use of biodiversity information relevant to policy and decision-making on natural resources

  17. Crystal growth, spectroscopic and CW laser properties of Nd0.03Lu2.871Gd0.099Al5O12 crystal

    Science.gov (United States)

    Di, J. Q.; Xu, X. D.; Cheng, S. S.; Li, D. Z.; Zhou, D. H.; Wu, F.; Zhao, Z. W.; Xu, J.

    2011-11-01

    Nd0.03Lu2.871Gd0.099Al5O12 (Nd:LuGdAG) crystal was grown by the Czochralski method. The absorption, fluorescence spectra and fluorescence lifetime of Nd:LuGdAG crystal at room temperature were investigated for the first time. We reported the continuous-wave (CW) Nd:LuGdAG laser operation under diode pumping. Output power of 1.43 W at 1064 nm was achieved with a slope efficiency of 34.1%. All the results show that Nd:LuGdAG crystal is a promising laser material.

  18. Biodiversity as a multidimensional construct: a review, framework and case study of herbivory's impact on plant biodiversity

    Science.gov (United States)

    Naeem, S.; Prager, Case; Weeks, Brian; Varga, Alex; Flynn, Dan F. B.; Griffin, Kevin; Muscarella, Robert; Palmer, Matthew; Wood, Stephen; Schuster, William

    2016-01-01

    Biodiversity is inherently multidimensional, encompassing taxonomic, functional, phylogenetic, genetic, landscape and many other elements of variability of life on the Earth. However, this fundamental principle of multidimensionality is rarely applied in research aimed at understanding biodiversity's value to ecosystem functions and the services they provide. This oversight means that our current understanding of the ecological and environmental consequences of biodiversity loss is limited primarily to what unidimensional studies have revealed. To address this issue, we review the literature, develop a conceptual framework for multidimensional biodiversity research based on this review and provide a case study to explore the framework. Our case study specifically examines how herbivory by whitetail deer (Odocoileus virginianus) alters the multidimensional influence of biodiversity on understory plant cover at Black Rock Forest, New York. Using three biodiversity dimensions (taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic diversity) to explore our framework, we found that herbivory alters biodiversity's multidimensional influence on plant cover; an effect not observable through a unidimensional approach. Although our review, framework and case study illustrate the advantages of multidimensional over unidimensional approaches, they also illustrate the statistical and empirical challenges such work entails. Meeting these challenges, however, where data and resources permit, will be important if we are to better understand and manage the consequences we face as biodiversity continues to decline in the foreseeable future. PMID:27928041

  19. Biodiversity as a multidimensional construct: a review, framework and case study of herbivory's impact on plant biodiversity.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Naeem, S; Prager, Case; Weeks, Brian; Varga, Alex; Flynn, Dan F B; Griffin, Kevin; Muscarella, Robert; Palmer, Matthew; Wood, Stephen; Schuster, William

    2016-12-14

    Biodiversity is inherently multidimensional, encompassing taxonomic, functional, phylogenetic, genetic, landscape and many other elements of variability of life on the Earth. However, this fundamental principle of multidimensionality is rarely applied in research aimed at understanding biodiversity's value to ecosystem functions and the services they provide. This oversight means that our current understanding of the ecological and environmental consequences of biodiversity loss is limited primarily to what unidimensional studies have revealed. To address this issue, we review the literature, develop a conceptual framework for multidimensional biodiversity research based on this review and provide a case study to explore the framework. Our case study specifically examines how herbivory by whitetail deer (Odocoileus virginianus) alters the multidimensional influence of biodiversity on understory plant cover at Black Rock Forest, New York. Using three biodiversity dimensions (taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic diversity) to explore our framework, we found that herbivory alters biodiversity's multidimensional influence on plant cover; an effect not observable through a unidimensional approach. Although our review, framework and case study illustrate the advantages of multidimensional over unidimensional approaches, they also illustrate the statistical and empirical challenges such work entails. Meeting these challenges, however, where data and resources permit, will be important if we are to better understand and manage the consequences we face as biodiversity continues to decline in the foreseeable future. © 2016 The Authors.

  20. 79th Annual Meeting of the Psychometric Society

    CERN Document Server

    Bolt, Daniel; Wang, Wen-Chung; Douglas, Jeffrey; Chow, Sy-Miin

    2015-01-01

    These research articles from the 79th Annual Meeting of the Psychometric Society (IMPS) cover timely quantitative psychology topics, including new methods in item response theory, computerized adaptive testing, cognitive diagnostic modeling, and psychological scaling. Topics within general quantitative methodology include structural equation modeling, factor analysis, causal modeling, mediation, missing data methods, and longitudinal data analysis. These methods will appeal, in particular, to researchers in the social sciences. The 79th annual meeting took place in Madison, WI between July 21nd and 25th, 2014. Previous volumes to showcase work from the Psychometric Society’s Meeting are New Developments in Quantitative Psychology: Presentations from the 77th Annual Psychometric Society Meeting (Springer, 2013) and Quantitative Psychology Research: The 78th Annual Meeting of the Psychometric Society  (Springer, 2015).

  1. IR emission and electrical conductivity of Nd/Nb-codoped TiO{sub x} (1.5 < x < 2) thin films grown by pulsed-laser deposition

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Tchiffo-Tameko, C.; Cachoncinlle, C. [GREMI, UMR 7344 CNRS-Université Orléans, 45067 Orléans Cedex 2 (France); Perriere, J. [Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Université Paris 06, UMR 7588, INSP, 75005 Paris (France); CNRS, UMR 7588, INSP, 75005 Paris (France); Nistor, M. [NILPRP, L 22 P.O. Box MG-36, 77125 Bucharest-Magurele (Romania); Petit, A.; Aubry, O. [GREMI, UMR 7344 CNRS-Université Orléans, 45067 Orléans Cedex 2 (France); Pérez Casero, R. [Departamento de Física Aplicada, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid (Spain); Millon, E., E-mail: eric.millon@univ-orleans.fr [GREMI, UMR 7344 CNRS-Université Orléans, 45067 Orléans Cedex 2 (France)

    2016-12-15

    Highlights: • Nd/Nb-codoped TiO{sub 2} PLD films are electrically insulating and transparent in the UV visible NIR spectral domain. • Nd/Nb-codoped oxygen deficient TiO{sub x} (x ≈ 1.5) films are conductive and absorbent. • IR emission of Nd{sup 3+} in codoped TiO{sub x} films is quenched due to oxygen deficiency. • High Nb-doping rate decreases the IR emission of Nd{sup 3+} in Nd/Nb-codoped TiO{sub 2} films. - Abstract: The effect of the co-doping with Nd and Nb on electrical and optical properties of TiO{sub x} films is reported. The role of oxygen vacancies on the physical properties is also evidenced. The films are grown by pulsed-laser deposition onto (001) sapphire and (100) silicon substrates. The substrate temperature was fixed at 700 °C. To obtain either stoichiometric (TiO{sub 2}) or highly oxygen deficient (TiO{sub x} with x < 1.6) thin films, the oxygen partial pressure was adjusted at 10{sup −1} and 10{sup −6} mbar, respectively. 1%Nd-1%Nb, 1%Nd-5%Nb and 5%Nd-1%Nb co-doped TiO{sub 2} were used as bulk ceramic target. Composition, structural and morphological properties of films determined by Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, are correlated to their optical (UV–vis transmission and photoluminescence) and electrical properties (resistivity at room temperature). The most intense Nd{sup 3+} emission in the IR domain is obtained for stoichiometric films. Codoping Nd-TiO{sub x} films by Nb{sup 5+} ions is found to decrease the photoluminescence efficiency. The oxygen pressure during the growth allows to tune the optical and electrical properties: insulating and highly transparent (80% in the visible range) Nd/Nb codoped TiO{sub 2} films are obtained at high oxygen pressure, while conductive and absorbent films are grown under low oxygen pressure (10{sup −6} mbar).

  2. Nd4Cu2O7: A copper(I) oxide with a novel cooperatively distorted T' type structure

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Pederzolli, D.R.; Attfield, J.P.

    1998-01-01

    The crystal structure of Nd 4 Cu 2 O 7 (monoclinic, space group A2/m, a = 8.4493(2) angstrom, b = 3.7591(1) angstrom, C = 12.6006(5) angstrom, β = 109.576(4)degree, Z = 2) prepared by topotactic reduction of the high-T c superconductor parent phase Nd 2 CuO 4 , has been determined by Rietveld fitting of time-of-flight neutron powder diffraction data (R wp = 1.90%). A novel oxygen-vacancy-ordered arrangement of cooperatively distorted Cu 2 O 3 planes containing 2- and 4-coordinate Cu + sites is found

  3. Surface characterization of superconductive Nd1Ba2Cu3Oy thin films using scanning probe microscopes

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Ting, W.; Badaye, M.; Itti, R.; Morishita, T.; Koshizuka, N.; Tanaka, S.

    1996-01-01

    Recently, superconductive Nd 1 Ba 2 Cu 3 O y (Nd123) thin films with high superconducting transition temperature (T c ) have been successfully fabricated at the authors institute employing the standard laser ablation method. In this paper, they report parts of the results of surface characterization of the Nd123 thin films using an ultrahigh vacuum scanning tunneling microscope/spectroscopy (UHV-STM/STS) and an atomic force microscope (AFM) system operated in air. Clear spiral pattern is observed on the surfaces of Nd123 thin films by STM and AFM, suggesting that films are formed by two-dimensional island growth mode at the final growing stage. Contour plots of the spirals show that the step heights of the spirals are not always the integer or half integer numbers of the c-axis parameter of the structure. This implies that the surface natural termination layer of the films may not be unique. Surface atomic images of the as-prepared Nd123 thin films are obtained employing both STM and AFM. STS measurements show that most of the surfaces are semiconductive, or sometimes even metallic. The results of STS measurements together with the fact that they are able to see the surface atomic images using scanning probe microscopes suggest that exposure to air does not cause serious degradation to the as-prepared surfaces of Nd123 thin films

  4. Energy, environment and technological innovation: Rome 2nd international congress

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    1992-01-01

    From the three volumes containing the proceedings of the October 12-16, 1992 2nd International Congress on Energy, Environment and Technological Innovation held at the University of Rome 'La Sapienza', separate abstracts were prepared for 41 papers. The selection of papers included recent developments and research trends in the following high-tech areas: biomass plantations, wind turbines, photovoltaic power plants, solar architecture, building energy management, global warming, automobile air pollution abatement, district heating with cogeneration, and hydrogen fuels for transportation

  5. European mountain biodiversity

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Nagy, Jennifer

    1998-12-01

    Full Text Available This paper, originally prepared as a discussion document for the ESF Exploratory Workshop «Trends in European Mountain Biodiversity - Research Planning Workshop», provides an overview of current mountain biodiversity research in Europe. It discusses (a biogeographical trends, (b the general properties of biodiversity, (c environmental factors and the regulation of biodiversity with respect to ecosystem function, (d the results of research on mountain freshwater ecosystems, and (e climate change and air pollution dominated environmental interactions.- The section on biogeographical trends highlights the importance of altitude and latitude on biodiversity. The implications of the existence of different scales over the different levels of biodiversity and across organism groups are emphasised as an inherent complex property of biodiversity. The discussion on ecosystem function and the regulation of biodiversity covers the role of environmental factors, productivity, perturbation, species migration and dispersal, and species interactions in the maintenance of biodiversity. Regional and long-term temporal patterns are also discussed. A section on the relatively overlooked topic of mountain freshwater ecosystems is presented before the final topic on the implications of recent climate change and air pollution for mountain biodiversity.

    [fr] Ce document a été préparé à l'origine comme une base de discussion pour «ESF Exploratory Workshop» intitulé «Trends in European Mountain Biodiversity - Research Planning Workshop»; il apporte une vue d'ensemble sur les recherches actuelles portant sur la biodiversité des montagnes en Europe. On y discute les (a traits biogéographiques, (b les caractéristiques générales- de la biodiversité, (c les facteurs environnementaux et la régulation de la biodiversité par rapport à la fonction des écosystèmes, (d les résultats des études sur les écosystèmes aquatiques des montagnes et (e les

  6. ND and NB systems in quark delocalization color screening model

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Zhao, Lifang [Nanjing College of Information Technology, Department of Quality-Oriented Education, Nanjing (China); Huang, Hongxia; Ping, Jialun [Nanjing Normal University, Department of Physics, Nanjing (China)

    2017-02-15

    The ND and NB systems with I = 0 and 1, J{sup P} = (1)/(2){sup ±}, (3)/(2){sup ±}, and (5)/(2){sup ±} are investigated within the framework of the quark delocalization color screening model. The results show that all the positive-parity states are unbound. By coupling to the ND* channel, the state ND with I = 0, J{sup P} = (1)/(2){sup -} can form a bound state, which can be invoked to explain the observed Σ(2800) state. The mass of the ND* with I = 0, J{sup P} = (3)/(2){sup -} is close to that of the reported Λ{sub c}(2940){sup +}, which indicates that Λ{sub c}(2940){sup +} can be explained as a ND* molecular state in QDCSM. Besides, the ΔD* with I = 1, J{sup P} = (5)/(2){sup -} is also a possible resonance state. The results of the bottom case of the NB system are similar to those of the ND system. Searching for these states will be a challenging subject of experiments. (orig.)

  7. 2nd International Arctic Ungulate Conference

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    A. Anonymous

    1996-01-01

    Full Text Available The 2nd International Arctic Ungulate Conference was held 13-17 August 1995 on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus. The Institute of Arctic Biology and the Alaska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit were responsible for organizing the conference with assistance from biologists with state and federal agencies and commercial organizations. David R. Klein was chair of the conference organizing committee. Over 200 people attended the conference, coming from 10 different countries. The United States, Canada, and Norway had the largest representation. The conference included invited lectures; panel discussions, and about 125 contributed papers. There were five technical sessions on Physiology and Body Condition; Habitat Relationships; Population Dynamics and Management; Behavior, Genetics and Evolution; and Reindeer and Muskox Husbandry. Three panel sessions discussed Comparative caribou management strategies; Management of introduced, reestablished, and expanding muskox populations; and Health risks in translocation of arctic ungulates. Invited lectures focused on the physiology and population dynamics of arctic ungulates; contaminants in food chains of arctic ungulates and lessons learned from the Chernobyl accident; and ecosystem level relationships of the Porcupine Caribou Herd.

  8. Thermodynamic assessments of the Ag-Gd and Ag-Nd systems

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Wang, S.L.; Wang, C.P.; Liu, X.J.; Ishida, K.

    2009-01-01

    The phase diagrams and thermodynamic properties in the Ag-Re (Re: Gd, Nd) binary systems have been assessed by using the CALPHAD (Calculation of Phase Diagrams) method on the basis of the experimental data including the thermodynamic properties and phase equilibria. The Gibbs free energies of the liquid, bcc, fcc, dhcp and hcp phases were described by the subregular solution model with the Redlich-Kister equation, and those of the intermetallic compounds (Ag 51 Gd 14 , Ag 2 Gd, AgGd, Ag 51 Nd 14 , αAg 2 Nd, βAg 2 Nd and AgNd phases) in these two binary systems were described by the sublattice model. The thermodynamic parameters of each phase in the Ag-Re (Re: Gd, Nd) binary systems were obtained, and an agreement between the calculated results and experimental data was obtained in each binary system.

  9. Arctic Terrestrial Biodiversity Monitoring Plan

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Christensen, Tom; Payne, J.; Doyle, M.

    The Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF), the biodiversity working group of the Arctic Council, established the Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Program (CBMP) to address the need for coordinated and standardized monitoring of Arctic environments. The CBMP includes an international...... on developing and implementing long-term plans for monitoring the integrity of Arctic biomes: terrestrial, marine, freshwater, and coastal (under development) environments. The CBMP Terrestrial Expert Monitoring Group (CBMP-TEMG) has developed the Arctic Terrestrial Biodiversity Monitoring Plan (CBMP......-Terrestrial Plan/the Plan) as the framework for coordinated, long-term Arctic terrestrial biodiversity monitoring. The goal of the CBMP-Terrestrial Plan is to improve the collective ability of Arctic traditional knowledge (TK) holders, northern communities, and scientists to detect, understand and report on long...

  10. Recent trends in local-scale marine biodiversity reflect community structure and human impacts

    NARCIS (Netherlands)

    Elahi, Robin; O'Connor, Mary I; Byrnes, Jarrett E K; Dunic, Jillian; Eriksson, Britas Klemens; Hensel, Marc J S; Kearns, Patrick J

    2015-01-01

    The modern biodiversity crisis reflects global extinctions and local introductions. Human activities have dramatically altered rates and scales of processes that regulate biodiversity at local scales [1-7]. Reconciling the threat of global biodiversity loss [2, 4, 6-9] with recent evidence of

  11. Biodiversity

    CSIR Research Space (South Africa)

    Scholes, RJ

    2006-01-01

    Full Text Available Biodiversity offers multiple opportunities for development and improving human well-being. It is the basis for essential environmental services upon which life on Earth depends. Thus, its conservation and sustainable use are of critical importance...

  12. Measuring Biodiversity in Forest Communities – A Role of Biodiversity Indices

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Lakićević Milena

    2018-03-01

    Full Text Available Biodiversity refers to genetic, species and ecosystems varieties within an area. Two main characteristics that should be investigated when considering biodiversity are richness and evenness. Richness is related to the number of different species in the analyzed area, while evenness corresponds to the homogeneity of the abundance of species. For quantifying these features, many indices have been defined, and this paper offers an overview of the most commonly used biodiversity indices, such as Shannon, Simpson, Margalef and Berger-Parker. The paper explains the process of calculating these indices on the case study example of four forest communities and discusses the results obtained. The Jaccard index analysis is used to discover a similarity between the analyzed forest communities. Results from this part of the research are visualized by creating appropriate dendrograms for making the interpretation easier. Calculating and analyzing these indices is useful not only for forest ecosystems, but for the other types of ecosystems as well, including agro-ecosystems. Biodiversity indices can be obtained in thespecialized software, for instance in EstimateS (Statistical Estimation of Species Richness and Shared Species from Samples, or by programming in the statistical package R, as it was done in this research.

  13. Luminescence properties of Nd{sup 3+}-doped Y{sub 2}Te{sub 4}O{sub 11} microcrystalline powder

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Sobczyk, Marcin, E-mail: marcin.sobczyk@chem.uni.wroc.pl; Szymański, Damian

    2017-03-15

    In this paper, some spectroscopic properties of Y{sub 2}Te{sub 4}O{sub 11} microcrystalline powders, doped with Nd{sup 3+} ions are presented. The samples were successfully synthesized by the solid state reaction method. Absorption (300 K) and fluorescence (at 77 and 300 K) spectra as well as the fluorescence decay curves (300 K) of the {sup 4}F{sub 3/2} state are presented and analyzed. The phenomenological Ω{sub λ} (λ=2, 4, 6) Judd-Ofelt parameters were evaluated in order to determine radiative probabilities (A), branching ratios (β), the radiative lifetime (τ{sub R}) of the {sup 4}F{sub 3/2} level and the stimulated emission cross-section (σ{sub em}) for the {sup 4}F{sub 3/2} → {sup 4}I{sub J/2} (J=9 and 11) transitions of the Nd{sup 3+} ion. The fluorescence decay curves were single exponential for 0.01–5.0 at% of Nd{sup 3+} and became evidently non-exponential for higher Nd{sup 3+} ion concentration. With increasing activator concentration from 0.01 to 10.0 at%, the experimental lifetime of the emitting level decreases from 95 to 33 μs. The non-exponential fluorescence decay curve has been fitted by the Yokota-Tanimoto model, indicating that the energy migration process via a diffusion limited relaxation, plays a important role in the depopulation of the {sup 4}F{sub 3/2} level of Nd{sup 3+} ions doped in the Y{sub 2}Te{sub 4}O{sub 11} microcrystalline powder. The calculated absorption value (1.135×10{sup –19} cm{sup 2} at 807.5 nm) of the {sup 4}I{sub 9/2} → {sup 4}F{sub 5/2} transition as well as the value of the stimulated emission cross-section (1.196×10{sup –19} cm{sup 2} at 1063.5 nm) for that of {sup 4}F{sub 3/2} → {sup 4}I{sub 11/2} were compared with the corresponding values of other laser hosts. For the first time a very high σ{sub em} value of the {sup 4}F{sub 3/2} → {sup 4}I{sub 11/2} transition for TeO{sub 2}-based compounds, has been observed. From the presented spectroscopic properties follows that the Nd{sup 3+}:Y{sub 2

  14. Temperature-dependent luminescence and temperature-stimulated NIR-to-VIS up-conversion in Nd3+-doped La2O3-Na2O-ZnO-TeO2 glasses

    Science.gov (United States)

    Sobczyk, Marcin

    2013-04-01

    Telluride glasses of the composition xNd2O3-(7-x)La2O3-3Na2O-25ZnO-65TeO2, where (0≤x≤7) were prepared by the melt quench technique. Some physical and optical properties of the glasses were evaluated. The thermal behavior i.e. glass transition and crystallization temperatures were studied by using TGA-DTA technique. Optical properties of Nd3+-doped telluride glasses were investigated between 298 and 700 K. Basing on the obtained values of J-O parameter values (×10-20 cm2: Ω2=4.49±0.84, Ω4=5.03±0.61, Ω6=4.31±0.73), the radiative transition probabilities (AT), radiative lifetimes (τR), fluorescence branching ratios (β) and emission cross-sections (σem) were calculated for the 4F3/2→4IJ/2 (where J=9, 11 and 13) transitions of Nd3+ ions. The τR value of the 4F3/2 level amount to 164 μs and is slightly higher than the measured decay time of 162 μs. With the increasing of Nd2O3 concentration from 0.5 to 7.0 mol% the experimental lifetime of the fluorescent level decreases from 162 to 5.6 μs. The estimated quantum efficiency amount to 100%, based on a comparison of τR and the experimental decay time of a slightly doped Nd3+ telluride glass. An analysis of the non-radiative decay was based on the cross-relaxation mechanisms. The 4F3/2→4I9/2 and 4F5/2→4I9/2 transitions were analyzed with respect to the fluorescence intensity ratio (FIR) and were found to be temperature dependent. Infrared-to-visible up-conversion emissions with a maximum at 603.0 and 635.3 nm were observed at high temperatures using the 804 nm excitation and are due to the 4G5/2→4I9/2 and 4G5/2→4I11/2 transitions of Nd3+ ions, respectively. The near quadratic dependence of fluorescence on excitation laser power confirms that two photons contribute to up-conversion of the orange emissions. The temperature-stimulated up-conversion excitation processes have been analyzed in detail. The optical results indicate that the investigated glasses are potentially applicable as a 1063 nm

  15. In-situ and self-distributed: A new understanding on catalyzed thermal decomposition process of ammonium perchlorate over Nd{sub 2}O{sub 3}

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Zou, Min, E-mail: zoumin3362765@163.com; Wang, Xin, E-mail: wangx@mail.njust.edu.cn; Jiang, Xiaohong, E-mail: jxh0668@sina.com; Lu, Lude, E-mail: lulude17@yahoo.com

    2014-05-01

    Catalyzed thermal decomposition process of ammonium perchlorate (AP) over neodymium oxide (Nd{sub 2}O{sub 3}) was investigated. Catalytic performances of nanometer-sized Nd{sub 2}O{sub 3} and micrometer-sized Nd{sub 2}O{sub 3} were evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). In contrast to universal concepts, catalysts in different sizes have nearly similar catalytic activities. Based on structural and morphological variation of the catalysts during the reaction, combined with mass spectrum analyses and studies of unmixed style, a new understanding of this catalytic process was proposed. We believed that the newly formed chloride neodymium oxide (NdOCl) was the real catalytic species in the overall thermal decomposition of AP over Nd{sub 2}O{sub 3}. Meanwhile, it was the “self-distributed” procedure which occurred within the reaction that also worked for the improvement of overall catalytic activities. This work is of great value in understanding the roles of micrometer-sized catalysts used in heterogeneous reactions, especially the solid–solid reactions which could generate a large quantity of gaseous species. - Graphical abstract: In-situ and self-distributed reaction process in thermal decomposition of AP catalyzed by Nd{sub 2}O{sub 3}. - Highlights: • Micro- and nano-Nd{sub 2}O{sub 3} for catalytic thermal decomposition of AP. • No essential differences on their catalytic performances. • Structural and morphological variation of catalysts digs out catalytic mechanism. • This catalytic process is “in-situ and self-distributed” one.

  16. Impacts on terrestrial biodiversity of moving from a 2°C to a 1.5°C target

    Science.gov (United States)

    Price, Jeff; Molotoks, Amy; Warren, Rachel

    2018-01-01

    We applied a recently developed tool to examine the reduction in climate risk to biodiversity in moving from a 2°C to a 1.5°C target. We then reviewed the recent literature examining the impact of (a) land-based mitigation options and (b) land-based greenhouse gas removal options on biodiversity. We show that holding warming to 1.5°C versus 2°C can significantly reduce the number of species facing a potential loss of 50% of their climatic range. Further, there would be an increase of 5.5–14% of the globe that could potentially act as climatic refugia for plants and animals, an area equivalent to the current global protected area network. Efforts to meet the 1.5°C target through mitigation could largely be consistent with biodiversity protection/enhancement. For impacts of land-based greenhouse gas removal technologies on biodiversity, some (e.g. soil carbon sequestration) could be neutral or positive, others (e.g. bioenergy with carbon capture and storage) are likely to lead to conflicts, while still others (e.g. afforestation/reforestation) are context-specific, when applied at scales necessary for meaningful greenhouse gas removal. Additional effort to meet the 1.5°C target presents some risks, particularly if inappropriately managed, but it also presents opportunities. This article is part of the theme issue ‘The Paris Agreement: understanding the physical and social challenges for a warming world of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels'. PMID:29610386

  17. Evolution, plant breeding and biodiversity

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Salvatore Ceccarelli

    2011-11-01

    Full Text Available This paper deals with changes in biodiversity during the course of evolution, plant domestication and plant breeding. It shows than man has had a strong influence on the progressive decrease of biodiversity, unconscious at first and deliberate in modern times. The decrease in biodiversity in the agricultures of the North causes a severe threat to food security and is in contrasts with the conservation of biodiversity which is part of the culture of several populations in the South. The concluding section of the paper shows that man could have guided evolution in a different way and shows an example of participatory plant breeding, a type of breeding which is done in collaboration with farmers and is based on selection for specific adaptation. Even though participatory plant breeding has been practiced for only about 20 years and by relatively few groups, the effects on both biodiversity and crop production are impressive. Eventually the paper shows how participatory plant breeding can be developed into ‘evolutionary plant breeding’ to cope in a dynamic way with climate changes.

  18. Traditional and local ecological knowledge about forest biodiversity in the Pacific Northwest.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Susan Charnley; A. Paige Fischer; Eric T. Jones

    2008-01-01

    This paper synthesizes the existing literature about traditional and local ecological knowledge relating to biodiversity in Pacific Northwest forests in order to assess what is needed to apply this knowledge to forest biodiversity conservation efforts. We address four topics: (1) views and values people have relating to biodiversity, (2) the resource use and management...

  19. (5/2-→5/2+) 803 keV beta transition in 147Nd

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Lakshminarayana, S.; Srinivasa Rao, M.; Seshagiri Rao, V.; Sastry, D.L.

    1978-01-01

    The existing experimental results on the 5/2 - →5/2 + 803 keV beta transition in 147 Nd are mutually contradictory to classify it under xi-approximation. To resolve this contradiction, the β-γ directional correlations are performed carefully as a function of energy using a conventional fast-slow coincidence scintillation system. The attenuation factor G 2 in this case turns out to be 0.64 +- 0.05. The results on the longitudinal electron polarization and the shape measurements are combined with the present results and an attempt is made to extract the nuclear matrix elements governing this first forbidden non-unique beta transition following Simm's formalism. Results are discussed based on the final sets of matrix elements. (auth.)

  20. International Center for Himalayan Biodiversity (ICHB): Conserving Himalayan Biodiversity--A Global Responsibility

    Science.gov (United States)

    Ram Bhandari

    2006-01-01

    Biodiversity is a global endowment of nature. Conservation of biodiversity includes all species of plants, animals and other organisms, the range of genetic stocks within each species, and ecosystem diversity. Food, many types of medicine and industrial products are provided by the biological resources that are the basis of life on Earth. The value of the Earth’s...

  1. Fluorescence properties of novel near-infrared phosphor CaSc{sub 2}O{sub 4}:Ce{sup 3+}, Nd{sup 3+}

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Meng, J.X., E-mail: tmjx@jnu.edu.c [Department of Chemistry, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632 (China); Institute of Nanochemistry, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632 (China); Zhang, F.J.; Peng, W.F.; Wan, W.J.; Xiao, Q.L.; Chen, Q.Q.; Cao, L.W. [Department of Chemistry, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632 (China); Wang, Z.L. [School of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Yunnan Nationalities University, Kunming 650031 (China)

    2010-10-15

    Research highlights: Novel near-infrared (NIR) phosphor, CaSc{sub 2}O{sub 4}:Ce{sup 3+}, Nd{sup 3+}, was synthesized. The phosphor gives strong Nd{sup 3+} characteristic NIR emissions in the range of 880-930 nm. The NIR emission intensity gets a 200 times enhancement benefited from the efficient energy transfer from a co-doped Ce{sup 3+}. The energy transfer mechanism was also briefly based on detailed investigation on spectrum and fluorescence lifetime. - Abstract: Novel near-infrared (NIR) phosphor, CaSc{sub 2}O{sub 4}:Ce{sup 3+}, Nd{sup 3+}, was synthesized by co-precipitation method followed by firing at 1300 {sup o}C in reduced atmosphere. When irradiated with blue light, the phosphor gives strong Nd{sup 3+} characteristic NIR emissions in the range of 880-930 nm. The NIR emission intensity gets a 200 times enhancement by co-doping of Ce{sup 3+}. Detailed investigation on spectrum and fluorescence lifetimes indicated the NIR luminescence enhancement is obtained from an energy transfer process. The process initiates with efficient absorption of blue light by Ce{sup 3+} ions via an allowed 4f-5d transition, follow by efficient energy transfer from Ce{sup 3+} to Nd{sup 3+}, and emitting strong Nd{sup 3+} characteristic fluorescence.

  2. Using ecological thresholds to evaluate the costs and benefits of set-asides in a biodiversity hotspot.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Banks-Leite, Cristina; Pardini, Renata; Tambosi, Leandro R; Pearse, William D; Bueno, Adriana A; Bruscagin, Roberta T; Condez, Thais H; Dixo, Marianna; Igari, Alexandre T; Martensen, Alexandre C; Metzger, Jean Paul

    2014-08-29

    Ecological set-asides are a promising strategy for conserving biodiversity in human-modified landscapes; however, landowner participation is often precluded by financial constraints. We assessed the ecological benefits and economic costs of paying landowners to set aside private land for restoration. Benefits were calculated from data on nearly 25,000 captures of Brazilian Atlantic Forest vertebrates, and economic costs were estimated for several restoration scenarios and values of payment for ecosystem services. We show that an annual investment equivalent to 6.5% of what Brazil spends on agricultural subsidies would revert species composition and ecological functions across farmlands to levels found inside protected areas, thereby benefiting local people. Hence, efforts to secure the future of this and other biodiversity hotspots may be cost-effective. Copyright © 2014, American Association for the Advancement of Science.

  3. Deduction of the chemical state and the electronic structure of Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B compound from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy core-level and valence-band spectra

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Wang, Jing; Liang, Le [School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240 (China); Zhang, Lanting, E-mail: lantingzh@sjtu.edu.cn, E-mail: lmsun@sjtu.edu.cn [School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240 (China); Hirano Institute for Materials Innovation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240 (China); Sun, Limin, E-mail: lantingzh@sjtu.edu.cn, E-mail: lmsun@sjtu.edu.cn [Instrumental Analysis Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240 (China); Hirano, Shinichi [Hirano Institute for Materials Innovation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240 (China)

    2014-10-28

    Characterization of chemical state and electronic structure of the technologically important Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B compound is attractive for understanding the physical nature of its excellent magnetic properties. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) study of such rare-earth compound is important and also challenging due to the easy oxidation of surface and small photoelectron cross-sections of rare-earth 4f electrons and B 2p electrons, etc. Here, we reported an investigation based on XPS spectra of Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B compound as a function of Ar ion sputtering time. The chemical state of Fe and that of B in Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B compound can be clearly determined to be 0 and −3, respectively. The Nd in Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B compound is found to have the chemical state of close to +3 instead of +3 as compared with the Nd in Nd{sub 2}O{sub 3}. In addition, by comparing the valence-band spectrum of Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B compound to that of the pure Fe, the contributions from Nd, Fe, and B to the valence-band structure of Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B compound is made more clear. The B 2p states and B 2s states are identified to be at ∼11.2 eV and ∼24.6 eV, respectively, which is reported for the first time. The contribution from Nd 4f states can be identified both in XPS core-level spectrum and XPS valence-band spectrum. Although Nd 4f states partially hybridize with Fe 3d states, Nd 4f states are mainly localized in Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B compound.

  4. Development of Extended Content Standards for Biodiversity Data

    Science.gov (United States)

    Hugo, Wim; Schmidt, Jochen; Saarenmaa, Hannu

    2013-04-01

    Interoperability in the field of Biodiversity observation has been strongly driven by the development of a number of global initiatives (GEO, GBIF, OGC, TDWG, GenBank, …) and its supporting standards (OGC-WxS, OGC-SOS, Darwin Core (DwC), NetCDF, …). To a large extent, these initiatives have focused on discoverability and standardization of syntactic and schematic interoperability. Semantic interoperability is more complex, requiring development of domain-dependent conceptual data models, and extension of these models with appropriate ontologies (typically manifested as controlled vocabularies). Biodiversity content has been standardized partly, for example through Darwin Core for occurrence data and associated taxonomy, and through Genbank for genetic data, but other contexts of biodiversity observation have lagged behind - making it difficult to achieve semantic interoperability between distributed data sources. With this in mind, WG8 of GEO BON (charged with data and systems interoperability) has started a work programme to address a number of concerns, one of which is the gap in content standards required to make Biodiversity data truly interoperable. The paper reports on the framework developed by WG8 for the classification of Biodiversity observation data into 'families' of use cases and its supporting data schema, where gaps, if any, in the availability if content standards have been identified, and how these are to be addressed by way of an abstract data model and the development of associated content standards. It is proposed that a minimum set of standards (1) will be required to address the scope of Biodiversity content, aligned with levels and dimensions of observation, and based on the 'Essential Biodiversity Variables' (2) being developed by GEO BON . The content standards are envisaged as loosely separated from the syntactic and schematic standards used for the base data exchange: typically, services would offer an existing data standard (DwC, WFS

  5. The origins of tropical marine biodiversity.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Bowen, Brian W; Rocha, Luiz A; Toonen, Robert J; Karl, Stephen A

    2013-06-01

    Recent phylogeographic studies have overturned three paradigms for the origins of marine biodiversity. (i) Physical (allopatric) isolation is not the sole avenue for marine speciation: many species diverge along ecological boundaries. (ii) Peripheral habitats such as oceanic archipelagos are not evolutionary graveyards: these regions can export biodiversity. (iii) Speciation in marine and terrestrial ecosystems follow similar processes but are not the same: opportunities for allopatric isolation are fewer in the oceans, leaving greater opportunity for speciation along ecological boundaries. Biodiversity hotspots such as the Caribbean Sea and the Indo-Pacific Coral Triangle produce and export species, but can also accumulate biodiversity produced in peripheral habitats. Both hotspots and peripheral ecosystems benefit from this exchange in a process dubbed biodiversity feedback. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  6. 45 CFR 2400.2 - Annual competition.

    Science.gov (United States)

    2010-10-01

    ... 45 Public Welfare 4 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Annual competition. 2400.2 Section 2400.2 Public Welfare Regulations Relating to Public Welfare (Continued) JAMES MADISON MEMORIAL FELLOWSHIP FOUNDATION... college graduates to be James Madison Fellows. ...

  7. Biodiversity and global health—hubris, humility and the unknown

    Science.gov (United States)

    Stephens, Carolyn

    2012-03-01

    In November 2011, botanists on a remote island off Papua New Guinea discovered a new species of orchid—uniquely and mysteriously night-flowering [1]. New to science, and with so much more to understand, this flower is threatened by deforestation [2]. Also in November 2011, a survey of 583 conservation scientists reported a unanimous (99.5%) view that 'it is likely a serious loss of biological diversity is underway at a global extent' and that, for scientists, 'protection of biological diversity for its cultural and spiritual values and because of its usefulness to humans were low priorities, which suggests that many scientists do not fully support the utilitarian concept of ecosystem services' [3]. In terms of management, some scientists now advocate controversial conservation strategies such as triage (prioritization of species that provide unique or necessary functions to ecosystems) [4, 5]. Meanwhile, there are many scientists who contend that there is an urgent need to improve our understanding of the importance of biodiversity for human health and well-being, arguing that only an anthropocentric view of biodiversity within a paradigm 'ecosystem service' will enable decision-makers to prioritize the theme [6-9]. A 2011 UN report argues that this need for understanding is especially urgent in fragile and vulnerable ecosystems where communities depend directly on the resources of their environment [10]. Here we have a paradox: international conservation scientists think that we cannot protect biodiversity on the basis of its cultural and spiritual value, nor its usefulness to humans. Other scientists argue that using a utilitarian ecosystem services framework is the only way to get humans to protect biodiversity. Meanwhile, communities directly dependent on biodiverse ecosystems are often those who best understand and protect biodiversity, for exactly these reasons of use and spiritual connection, but they do not hold only a utilitarian view of their

  8. Accounting for biodiversity in the dairy industry.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Sizemore, Grant C

    2015-05-15

    Biodiversity is an essential part of properly functioning ecosystems, yet the loss of biodiversity currently occurs at rates unparalleled in the modern era. One of the major causes of this phenomenon is habitat loss and modification as a result of intensified agricultural practices. This paper provides a starting point for considering biodiversity within dairy production, and, although focusing primarily on the United States, findings are applicable broadly. Biodiversity definitions and assessments (e.g., indicators, tools) are proposed and reviewed. Although no single indicator or tool currently meets all the needs of comprehensive assessment, many sustainable practices are readily adoptable as ways to conserve and promote biodiversity. These practices, as well as potential funding opportunities are identified. Given the state of uncertainty in addressing the complex nature of biodiversity assessments, the adoption of generally sustainable environmental practices may be the best currently available option for protecting biodiversity on dairy lands. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  9. Trapped magnetic field in a (NdFeB)–(MgB2) pair-type bulk magnet

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Aldica, Gheorghe; Burdusel, Mihail; Badica, Petre

    2014-01-01

    Highlights: • Dense MgB 2 discs were obtained by ex-situ Spark Plasma Sintering. • A NdFeB–MgB 2 pair-type bulk magnet was tested for different working conditions. • The polarity of the NdFeB permanent magnet influences macro flux jumps of MgB 2 . • Trapped field of the pair was 2.45 T (20 K) and 3.3 T (12 K). - Abstract: Superconducting bulk discs, S, of 20 mm in diameter and 3.5 or 3.3 mm thickness of MgB 2 (pristine or added with cubic BN, respectively) with density above 97% were prepared by Spark Plasma Sintering. Discs were combined in a pair-type sandwich-like arrangement with a permanent NdFeB axially magnetised magnet, PM (∼0.5 T). Measurement of the trapped field, B tr , with temperature, time, and the reduction rate of the applied magnetic field was performed using a Hall sensor positioned at the centre between the superconductor and the permanent magnet. It is shown that the permanent magnet with certain polarity favors higher trapped field of the superconductor owing to suppression of flux jumps specific for high density MgB 2 samples. The B tr of the PM–S pair was 2.45 T (20 K) and 3.3 T (12 K)

  10. Preparation and characterization of amorphous SiO2 coatings deposited by mirco-arc oxidation on sintered NdFeB permanent magnets

    Science.gov (United States)

    Xu, J. L.; Xiao, Q. F.; Mei, D. D.; Zhong, Z. C.; Tong, Y. X.; Zheng, Y. F.; Li, L.

    2017-03-01

    Amorphous SiO2 coatings were prepared on sintered NdFeB magnets by micro-arc oxidation (MAO) in silicate solution. The surface and cross-sectional morphologies, element and phase composition, corrosion resistance and magnetic properties of the coatings were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), potentiodynamic polarization test and physical properties measurements system (PPMS). The results showed that the surface morphologies of the coatings exhibited the "coral reef" like structure, different from the typical MAO porous structure. With increasing the voltages, the thickness of the coatings increased from 12.72 to 19.90 μm, the content of Si element increased, while the contents of Fe, Nd and P elements decreased. The coatings were mainly composed of amorphous SiO2 and a few amorphous Fe2O3 and Nd2O3. The amorphous SiO2 coatings presented excellent thermal shock resistance, while the thermal shock resistance decreased with increasing the voltages. The corrosion resistance of the coatings increased with increasing the voltages, and it could be enhanced by one order of magnitude compared to the uncoated NdFeB magnets. The MAO coatings slightly decreased the magnetic properties of the NdFeB samples in different degrees.

  11. Preparation and characterization of amorphous SiO{sub 2} coatings deposited by mirco-arc oxidation on sintered NdFeB permanent magnets

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Xu, J.L., E-mail: jlxu@nchu.edu.cn [Center for Biomedical Materials and Engineering, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001 (China); School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanchang Hangkong University, Nanchang 330063 (China); Xiao, Q.F.; Mei, D.D. [School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanchang Hangkong University, Nanchang 330063 (China); Zhong, Z.C., E-mail: zzhong2014@sina.com [The Institute for Rare Earth Magnetic Materials and Devices, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Ganzhou 341000 (China); Tong, Y.X. [Center for Biomedical Materials and Engineering, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001 (China); Zheng, Y.F., E-mail: yfzheng@pku.edu.cn [Center for Biomedical Materials and Engineering, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001 (China); Li, L. [Center for Biomedical Materials and Engineering, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001 (China)

    2017-03-15

    Amorphous SiO{sub 2} coatings were prepared on sintered NdFeB magnets by micro-arc oxidation (MAO) in silicate solution. The surface and cross-sectional morphologies, element and phase composition, corrosion resistance and magnetic properties of the coatings were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), potentiodynamic polarization test and physical properties measurements system (PPMS). The results showed that the surface morphologies of the coatings exhibited the “coral reef” like structure, different from the typical MAO porous structure. With increasing the voltages, the thickness of the coatings increased from 12.72 to 19.90 µm, the content of Si element increased, while the contents of Fe, Nd and P elements decreased. The coatings were mainly composed of amorphous SiO{sub 2} and a few amorphous Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} and Nd{sub 2}O{sub 3}. The amorphous SiO{sub 2} coatings presented excellent thermal shock resistance, while the thermal shock resistance decreased with increasing the voltages. The corrosion resistance of the coatings increased with increasing the voltages, and it could be enhanced by one order of magnitude compared to the uncoated NdFeB magnets. The MAO coatings slightly decreased the magnetic properties of the NdFeB samples in different degrees. - Highlights: • Amorphous SiO{sub 2} coatings were prepared on sintered NdFeB magnets by micro-arc oxidation. • The coatings presented excellent thermal shock resistance. • The corrosion resistance could be enhanced by one order of magnitude. • The MAO coatings slightly decreased the magnetic properties of the NdFeB samples.

  12. Crystal growth, optical properties, and continuous-wave laser operation of Nd3+-doped Lu2SiO5 crystal

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Li, D Z; Xu, X D; Zhou, D H; Xia, C T; Wu, F; Xu, J; Cong, Z H; Zhang, J; Tang, D Y

    2011-01-01

    High quality Nd 3+ -doped Lu 2 SiO 5 (Nd:LSO) crystal has been grown by the Czochralski technique. The cell parameters were analyzed with X-ray diffraction (XRD). Room temperature absorption and fluorescence spectra and fluorescence lifetime of the Nd:LSO crystal were measured and analyzed. The Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters Ω 2,4,6 were obtained to be 2.59, 4.90, and 5.96×10 -20 cm 2 , respectively. The absorption and emission cross sections and the branching ratios were calculated. The peak emission cross section is 5.8 and 6.6×10 -20 cm 2 at 1075 and 1079 nm, respectively, with full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 2.8 and 5.1 nm in turn. Pumped by a laser diode, a maximum 2.54 W continuous-wave laser output has been obtained with a slope efficiency of 32%. All the results show that this crystal is a promising laser material

  13. Crystal growth, optical properties, and continuous-wave laser operation of Nd3+-doped Lu2SiO5 crystal

    Science.gov (United States)

    Li, D. Z.; Xu, X. D.; Zhou, D. H.; Xia, C. T.; Wu, F.; Xu, J.; Cong, Z. H.; Zhang, J.; Tang, D. Y.

    2011-01-01

    High quality Nd3+-doped Lu2SiO5 (Nd:LSO) crystal has been grown by the Czochralski technique. The cell parameters were analyzed with X-ray diffraction (XRD). Room temperature absorption and fluorescence spectra and fluorescence lifetime of the Nd:LSO crystal were measured and analyzed. The Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters Ω2,4,6 were obtained to be 2.59, 4.90, and 5.96×10-20 cm2, respectively. The absorption and emission cross sections and the branching ratios were calculated. The peak emission cross section is 5.8 and 6.6×10-20 cm2 at 1075 and 1079 nm, respectively, with full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 2.8 and 5.1 nm in turn. Pumped by a laser diode, a maximum 2.54 W continuous-wave laser output has been obtained with a slope efficiency of 32%. All the results show that this crystal is a promising laser material.

  14. Crystal growth of the intermetallic compound Nd{sub 2}PdSi{sub 3}

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Xu, Y. [IFW Dresden, Leibniz-Institut fuer Festkoerper- und Werkstoffforschung, Helmholtzstr. 20, 01171 Dresden (Germany); State Key Laboratory of Solidification Processing, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi' an, Shaanxi 710072 (China); Loeser, W.; Blum, C.G.F.; Buechner, B. [IFW Dresden, Leibniz-Institut fuer Festkoerper- und Werkstoffforschung, Helmholtzstr. 20, 01171 Dresden (Germany); Tang, F. [Institut fuer Festkoerperphysik, Technische Universitaet Dresden, 01062 Dresden (Germany); Liu, L. [State Key Laboratory of Solidification Processing, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi' an, Shaanxi 710072 (China)

    2011-02-15

    Nd{sub 2}PdSi{sub 3} single crystals were grown by a vertical floating zone method with radiation heating at a zone traveling rate of 3 mm/h. The compound exhibits congruent melting behavior at a liquidus temperature of about 1790 C. The actual crystal composition (35.3 {+-} 0.5) at.% Nd, (16.2 {+-} 0.5) at.% Pd, and (48.5 {+-} 0.5) at.% Si is slightly depleted in Pd and Si with respect to the nominal stoichiometry. Therefore, the gradual accumulation of these elements in the traveling zone led to a decrease of the operating temperature during the growth process. Single crystalline samples exhibit a large anisotropy due to the crystal electric field effect and order ferromagnetically below the Curie temperature T{sub C}=15.1 K. The [001] orientation was identified as the magnetic easy axis at low temperatures. (copyright 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim) (orig.)

  15. Biodiversity in the City: Fundamental Questions for Understanding the Ecology of Urban Green Spaces for Biodiversity Conservation

    Science.gov (United States)

    Christopher A. Lepczyk; Myla F. J. Aronson; Karl L. Evans; Mark A. Goddard; Susannah B. Lerman; J. Scott MacIvor

    2017-01-01

    As urban areas expand, understanding how ecological processes function in cities has become increasingly important for conserving biodiversity. Urban green spaces are critical habitats to support biodiversity, but we still have a limited understanding of their ecology and how they function to conserve biodiversity at local and landscape scales across multiple taxa....

  16. Phase equilibria, crystal structure and properties of complex oxides in the Nd{sub 2}O{sub 3}–SrO–CoO system

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Aksenova, T.V.; Efimova, T.G. [Department of Physical and Inorganic Chemistry, Institute of Natural Science and Mathematics, Ural Federal University, Lenin av., 51, Yekaterinburg 620000 (Russian Federation); Lebedev, O.I. [Laboratoire CRISMAT, ENSICAEN UMR6508, 6 Bd Maréchal Juin, Cedex 4, Caen 14050 (France); Elkalashy, Sh.I.; Urusova, A.S. [Department of Physical and Inorganic Chemistry, Institute of Natural Science and Mathematics, Ural Federal University, Lenin av., 51, Yekaterinburg 620000 (Russian Federation); Cherepanov, V.A., E-mail: v.a.cherepanov@urfu.ru [Department of Physical and Inorganic Chemistry, Institute of Natural Science and Mathematics, Ural Federal University, Lenin av., 51, Yekaterinburg 620000 (Russian Federation)

    2017-04-15

    The phase equilibria in the ½Nd{sub 2}O{sub 3}–SrO–CoO system were systematically studied at 1373 K in air. The intermediate phases formed in the ½Nd{sub 2}O{sub 3}–SrO–CoO system at 1373 K in air are: Nd{sub 1-x}Sr{sub x}CoO{sub 3-δ} (0.0≤x≤0.5 with orthorhombic structure, sp. gr. Pbnm and 0.6≤x≤0.95 whose structure was detected as cubic according to XRD sp. gr. Pm3m, but shown to be tetragonal by TEM due to the oxygen vacancy ordering), Nd{sub 2-y}Sr{sub y}CoO{sub 4-δ} (0.6≤y≤1.1 with tetragonal K{sub 2}NiF{sub 4}-type structure, sp. gr. I4/mmm) and Nd{sub 2-z}Sr{sub z}O{sub 3} (0.0≤z≤0.15 with hexagonal structure, sp. gr. P-3m1). The unit cell parameters for the single phase samples were refined by the Rietveld analysis. The changes of oxygen content in Nd{sub 1-x}Sr{sub x}CoO{sub 3-δ} (0.6≤x≤0.95) and Ruddlesden-Popper oxide Nd{sub 2-y}Sr{sub y}CoO{sub 4-δ} were examined by TGA. All were found to be oxygen deficient phases. High-temperature dilatometry allows calculating the thermal expansion coefficient and evaluating the chemical expansion coefficient at high temperature. The projection of isothermal-isobaric phase diagram for the Nd–Sr–Co–O system at 1373 K in air to the compositional triangle of metallic components has been constructed. The phase equilibria in the studied Nd–Sr–Co–O system were compared to La–Sr–Co–O and Nd–M–Co–O (M=Ca and Ba). - Graphical abstract: Crystal structure of vacancy ordered supercell for Nd{sub 0.2}Sr{sub 0.8}CoO{sub 3-δ} and projection of phase diagram for the Nd–Sr–Co–O system onto the triangle edge of metallic components at 1373 K in air. - Highlights: • The diagram for the Nd–Sr–Co–O system at 1373 K in air has been constructed. • The crystal structure of Nd{sub 1-x}Sr{sub x}CoO{sub 3-δ} and Nd{sub 2-y}Sr{sub y}CoO{sub 4±δ} was refined. • The formation of superstructure due to the oxygen vacancy ordering was proved. • The changes of oxygen

  17. Effect of Mo and nano-Nd{sub 2}O{sub 3} on the microstructure and wear resistance of laser cladding Ni-based alloy coatings

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Ding, Lin; Hu, Shengsun; Shen, Junqi [Tianjin University, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Advanced Joining Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin (China); Quan, Xiumin [Lu' an Vocation Technology College, School of Automobile and Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Lu' an (China)

    2016-04-15

    Three kinds of coatings were successfully prepared on Q235 steel by laser cladding technique through adulterating with Mo and nano-Nd{sub 2}O{sub 3} into Ni-based alloys. The effect of Mo and nano-Nd{sub 2}O{sub 3} on the microstructure and properties of Ni-based coatings was investigated systematically by means of optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, and microhardness testing and wear testing. The results indicated a certain amount of fine grains and polygonal equiaxed grains synthesized after adding Mo and nano-Nd{sub 2}O{sub 3}. Both the microhardness and wear resistance of Ni-based coatings improved greatly with a moderate additional amount of Mo and nano-Nd{sub 2}O{sub 3}. The largest improvement in microhardness was 31.9 and 14.7 %, and the largest reduction in loss was 45.0 and 30.7 %, respectively, for 5.0 wt% Mo powders and 1.0 wt% nano-Nd{sub 2}O{sub 3}. The effect of Mo on microhardness and wear resistance of laser cladding Ni-based alloy coatings is greater than the effect of nano-Nd{sub 2}O{sub 3}. (orig.)

  18. Urban lifestyle and urban biodiversity

    DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

    Petersen, L. K.; Lyytimäki, J.; Normander, B.

    2007-01-01

    This report is concerned with the relations between lifestyles of urban populations on one hand and protection of biodiversity in urban areas on the other. Urban areas are of importance for the general protection of biodiversity. In the surroundings of cities and within urban sprawls there can...... biodiversity, recreational, educational and other needs. However, uncovered and unsealed space is constantly under pressure for building and infrastructure development in the urban landscape, and the design and usages of urban green structure is a matter of differing interests and expectations. Integrating...... the green needs of urban lifestyle in the planning process does not come by itself. Nor does finding the synergies between urban lifestyle and urban biodiversity. Careful planning including stakeholder involvement is required. In this process various mapping techniques and use of indicators can be most...

  19. Single NdPc{sub 2} molecules on surfaces. Adsorption, interaction, and molecular magnetism

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Fahrendorf, Sarah

    2013-01-24

    They have huge potential for application in molecular-spin-transistors, molecular-spinvalves, and molecular quantum computing. SMMs are characterized by high spin ground states with zero-field splitting leading to high relaxation barriers and long relaxation times. A relevant class of molecules are the lanthanide double-decker phthalocyanines (LaPc{sub 2}) with only one metal atom sandwiched between two organic phthalocyanine (Pc) ligands. For envisaged spintronic applications it is important to understand the interaction between the molecules and the substrate and its influence on the electronic and magnetic properties. The subject of this thesis is the investigation of the adsorbed neodymium double-decker phthalocyanine (NdPc{sub 2}) by means of low temperature scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy (STM and STS). The molecules are deposited by sublimation onto different substrates. It is observed that a large fraction of the double-decker molecules decomposes during deposition. The decomposition probability strongly depends on the chosen substrate. Therefore it is concluded that the substrate modifies the electronic structure of the molecule leading to a stabilization or destabilization of the molecular entity. Charge transfer from the surface to the molecule is identified as a potential stabilizing mechanism. The electronic and magnetic properties are investigated in detail for adsorbed NdPc{sub 2} molecules on Cu(100). The results of the experimental study are compared to state-of-the-art density functional theory calculations performed by our colleagues from the Peter Gruenberg Institute (PGI-1) at the Forschungszentrum Juelich. Interestingly, the lower Pc ring of the molecule hybridizes intensely with the substrate leading to strong chemisorption of the molecule, while the upper Pc ring keeps its molecular type electronic states, which can be energetically shifted by an external electric field. Importantly, it is possible to get direct access to the

  20. 75 FR 10462 - 92nd Meeting

    Science.gov (United States)

    2010-03-08

    ... ARCTIC RESEARCH COMMISSION [USARC 10-018] 92nd Meeting February 16, 2010. Notice is hereby given that the U.S. Arctic Research Commission will hold its 92nd meeting in Miami, FL, on March 15, 2010... to order and approval of the agenda. (2) Approval of the minutes from the 91st meeting. (3...

  1. Biodiversity of Terrestrial Ecosystems in Tropical to Temperate Australia

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Raymond L. Specht

    2012-01-01

    Full Text Available During the short period of annual foliage growth in evergreen plant communities, aerodynamic fluxes (frictional, thermal, evaporative in the atmosphere as it flows over and through a plant community determine the Foliage Projective Covers and leaf attributes in overstorey and understorey strata. The number of leaves produced on each vertical foliage shoot depends on available soil water and nutrients during this growth period. The area of all leaves exposed to solar radiation determines net photosynthetic fixation of the plant community throughout the year. In turn, the species richness (number of species per hectare of both plants and resident vertebrates is determined. The species richness of unicellular algae and small multicellular isopods in permanent freshwater lagoons in Northern Australia may possibly have been increased by radiation released from nearby uranium deposits. Evolution of new angiosperms probably occurred in refugia during periods of extreme drought. When favourable climates were restored, the vegetation expanded to result in high Gamma Biodiversity (number of plant species per region but with each major plant community having essentially the same species richness (number of plant species per hectare. The probable effects of pollution and Global Warming on biodiversity in Australian ecosystems, that experience seasonal drought, are discussed.

  2. Warfare in biodiversity hotspots.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Hanson, Thor; Brooks, Thomas M; Da Fonseca, Gustavo A B; Hoffmann, Michael; Lamoreux, John F; Machlis, Gary; Mittermeier, Cristina G; Mittermeier, Russell A; Pilgrim, John D

    2009-06-01

    Conservation efforts are only as sustainable as the social and political context within which they take place. The weakening or collapse of sociopolitical frameworks during wartime can lead to habitat destruction and the erosion of conservation policies, but in some cases, may also confer ecological benefits through altered settlement patterns and reduced resource exploitation. Over 90% of the major armed conflicts between 1950 and 2000 occurred within countries containing biodiversity hotspots, and more than 80% took place directly within hotspot areas. Less than one-third of the 34 recognized hotspots escaped significant conflict during this period, and most suffered repeated episodes of violence. This pattern was remarkably consistent over these 5 decades. Evidence from the war-torn Eastern Afromontane hotspot suggests that biodiversity conservation is improved when international nongovernmental organizations support local protected area staff and remain engaged throughout the conflict. With biodiversity hotspots concentrated in politically volatile regions, the conservation community must maintain continuous involvement during periods of war, and biodiversity conservation should be incorporated into military, reconstruction, and humanitarian programs in the world's conflict zones. ©2009 Society for Conservation Biology.

  3. Core issues in the economics of biodiversity conservation.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Tisdell, Clement A

    2011-02-01

    Economic evaluations are essential for assessing the desirability of biodiversity conservation. This article highlights significant advances in theories and methods of economic evaluation and their relevance and limitations as a guide to biodiversity conservation; considers the implications of the phylogenetic similarity principle for the survival of species; discusses consequences of the Noah's Ark problem for selecting features of biodiversity to be saved; analyzes the extent to which the precautionary principle can be rationally used to support the conservation of biodiversity; explores the impact of market extensions, market and other institutional failures, and globalization on biodiversity loss; examines the relationship between the rate of interest and biodiversity depletion; and investigates the implications of intergenerational equity for biodiversity conservation. The consequences of changes in biodiversity for sustainable development are given particular attention. © 2011 New York Academy of Sciences.

  4. Biodiversity informatics: challenges and opportunities for applying biodiversity information to management and conservation

    Science.gov (United States)

    James S. Kagan

    2006-01-01

    Researchers, land managers, and the public currently often are unable to obtain useful biodiversity information because the subject represents such a large component of biology and ecology, and systems to compile and organize this information do not exist. Information on vascular plant taxonomy, as addressed by the Global Biodiversity Information Facility and key...

  5. Biodiversity funds and conservation needs in the EU under climate change.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Lung, Tobias; Meller, Laura; van Teeffelen, Astrid J A; Thuiller, Wilfried; Cabeza, Mar

    2014-07-01

    Despite ambitious biodiversity policy goals, less than a fifth of the European Union's (EU) legally protected species and habitats show a favorable conservation status. The recent EU biodiversity strategy recognizes that climate change adds to the challenge of halting biodiversity loss, and that an optimal distribution of financial resources is needed. Here, we analyze recent EU biodiversity funding from a climate change perspective. We compare the allocation of funds to the distribution of both current conservation priorities (within and beyond Natura 2000) and future conservation needs at the level of NUTS-2 regions, using modelled bird distributions as indicators of conservation value. We find that funding is reasonably well aligned with current conservation efforts but poorly fit with future needs under climate change, indicating obstacles for implementing adaptation measures. We suggest revising EU biodiversity funding instruments for the 2014-2020 budget period to better account for potential climate change impacts on biodiversity.

  6. Diode-pumped quasi-three-level CW Nd:CLNGG and Nd:CNGG lasers.

    Science.gov (United States)

    He, Kunna; Wei, Zhiyi; Li, Dehua; Zhang, Zhiguo; Zhang, Huaijin; Wang, Jiyang; Gao, Chunqing

    2009-10-12

    We have demonstrated what is to our knowledge the first quasi-three-level CW Nd:CLNGG laser with simple linear resonator. When the pump power was 18.2 W, a maximum output power of 1.63 W was obtained at the dual-wavelength of 935 nm and 928 nm. The optical-to-optical conversion efficiency was 9.0% and the slope efficiency was 11.5%. Lasing characteristics of a quasi-three-level CW Nd:CNGG laser were also investigated. A maximum output power of 1.87 W was obtained at the single-wavelength of 935 nm with 15.2 W pump power, corresponding to an optical-to-optical conversion efficiency of 12.3% and a slope efficiency of 15.6%.

  7. Structure and magnetic properties of hot deformed Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B magnets doped with DyH{sub x} nanoparticles

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Wang, C.G.; Yue, M., E-mail: yueming@bjut.edu.cn; Zhang, D.T.; Liu, W.Q.; Zhang, J.X.

    2016-04-15

    Commercial NdFeB powders mixed with DyH{sub x} nanoparticles are hot pressed and hot deformed into anisotropic magnets by Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS). The hot deformed magnet exhibits strong c-axis crystallographic texture. The coercivity of the magnet doped with 1.0 wt% DyH{sub x} is increased by 66.7%, compared with the magnet without DyH{sub x}, while the remanence decreases only by 3%. TEM observation shows that there exists a continuous (Nd,Dy){sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B layer between Nd-rich phase and NdFeB main phase. - Highlights: • The hot deformed magnet exhibits strong c-axis crystallographic texture. • The coercivity of the magnet significantly improved, and the remanence decreases slight. • TEM observation shows that there exists a continuous (Nd,Dy){sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B layer.

  8. Effect of spraying rape with Nd on N, P, K, Ca and Nd uptake

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Wei, Y.Z.; Zhou, X.B.; Maalim, M.O.

    1998-01-01

    Full text: When 20 mg/L,100 mg/L Nd(NO 3 ) 3 were applied at rape seedling stage, the uptake of N, P, K by rape was significantly increased. The main characters of economic importance in rape were also improved, such as dry weight, root length, pod number and 1000-seed weight. Yields of rape seeds were 110.77% and 122.50% of control, respectively. The contents of Nd, Ca in plant and soluble Nd in the soil were also analysed. It was found that Nd could be absorbed from leaves and transported to the top as well as the roots. The uptake of Nd from soil was inhibited by Nd absorption from leaves. Nd might replace Ca partly

  9. A conservation agenda for the Pantanal's biodiversity.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Alho, C J R; Sabino, J

    2011-04-01

    The Pantanal's biodiversity constitutes a valuable natural resource, in economic, cultural, recreational, aesthetic, scientific and educational terms. The vegetation plus the seasonal productivity support a diverse and abundant fauna. Many endangered species occur in the region, and waterfowl are exceptionally abundant during the dry season. Losses of biodiversity and its associated natural habitats within the Pantanal occur as a result of unsustainable land use. Implementation of protected areas is only a part of the conservation strategy needed. We analyse biodiversity threats to the biome under seven major categories: 1) conversion of natural vegetation into pasture and agricultural crops, 2) destruction or degradation of habitat mainly due to wild fire, 3) overexploitation of species mainly by unsustainable fishing, 4) water pollution, 5) river flow modification with implantation of small hydroelectric plants, 6) unsustainable tourism, and 7) introduction of invasive exotic species.

  10. Standardized Assessment of Biodiversity Trends in Tropical Forest Protected Areas: The End Is Not in Sight.

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Lydia Beaudrot

    2016-01-01

    Full Text Available Extinction rates in the Anthropocene are three orders of magnitude higher than background and disproportionately occur in the tropics, home of half the world's species. Despite global efforts to combat tropical species extinctions, lack of high-quality, objective information on tropical biodiversity has hampered quantitative evaluation of conservation strategies. In particular, the scarcity of population-level monitoring in tropical forests has stymied assessment of biodiversity outcomes, such as the status and trends of animal populations in protected areas. Here, we evaluate occupancy trends for 511 populations of terrestrial mammals and birds, representing 244 species from 15 tropical forest protected areas on three continents. For the first time to our knowledge, we use annual surveys from tropical forests worldwide that employ a standardized camera trapping protocol, and we compute data analytics that correct for imperfect detection. We found that occupancy declined in 22%, increased in 17%, and exhibited no change in 22% of populations during the last 3-8 years, while 39% of populations were detected too infrequently to assess occupancy changes. Despite extensive variability in occupancy trends, these 15 tropical protected areas have not exhibited systematic declines in biodiversity (i.e., occupancy, richness, or evenness at the community level. Our results differ from reports of widespread biodiversity declines based on aggregated secondary data and expert opinion and suggest less extreme deterioration in tropical forest protected areas. We simultaneously fill an important conservation data gap and demonstrate the value of large-scale monitoring infrastructure and powerful analytics, which can be scaled to incorporate additional sites, ecosystems, and monitoring methods. In an era of catastrophic biodiversity loss, robust indicators produced from standardized monitoring infrastructure are critical to accurately assess population outcomes

  11. Standardized Assessment of Biodiversity Trends in Tropical Forest Protected Areas: The End Is Not in Sight.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Beaudrot, Lydia; Ahumada, Jorge A; O'Brien, Timothy; Alvarez-Loayza, Patricia; Boekee, Kelly; Campos-Arceiz, Ahimsa; Eichberg, David; Espinosa, Santiago; Fegraus, Eric; Fletcher, Christine; Gajapersad, Krisna; Hallam, Chris; Hurtado, Johanna; Jansen, Patrick A; Kumar, Amit; Larney, Eileen; Lima, Marcela Guimarães Moreira; Mahony, Colin; Martin, Emanuel H; McWilliam, Alex; Mugerwa, Badru; Ndoundou-Hockemba, Mireille; Razafimahaimodison, Jean Claude; Romero-Saltos, Hugo; Rovero, Francesco; Salvador, Julia; Santos, Fernanda; Sheil, Douglas; Spironello, Wilson R; Willig, Michael R; Winarni, Nurul L; Zvoleff, Alex; Andelman, Sandy J

    2016-01-01

    Extinction rates in the Anthropocene are three orders of magnitude higher than background and disproportionately occur in the tropics, home of half the world's species. Despite global efforts to combat tropical species extinctions, lack of high-quality, objective information on tropical biodiversity has hampered quantitative evaluation of conservation strategies. In particular, the scarcity of population-level monitoring in tropical forests has stymied assessment of biodiversity outcomes, such as the status and trends of animal populations in protected areas. Here, we evaluate occupancy trends for 511 populations of terrestrial mammals and birds, representing 244 species from 15 tropical forest protected areas on three continents. For the first time to our knowledge, we use annual surveys from tropical forests worldwide that employ a standardized camera trapping protocol, and we compute data analytics that correct for imperfect detection. We found that occupancy declined in 22%, increased in 17%, and exhibited no change in 22% of populations during the last 3-8 years, while 39% of populations were detected too infrequently to assess occupancy changes. Despite extensive variability in occupancy trends, these 15 tropical protected areas have not exhibited systematic declines in biodiversity (i.e., occupancy, richness, or evenness) at the community level. Our results differ from reports of widespread biodiversity declines based on aggregated secondary data and expert opinion and suggest less extreme deterioration in tropical forest protected areas. We simultaneously fill an important conservation data gap and demonstrate the value of large-scale monitoring infrastructure and powerful analytics, which can be scaled to incorporate additional sites, ecosystems, and monitoring methods. In an era of catastrophic biodiversity loss, robust indicators produced from standardized monitoring infrastructure are critical to accurately assess population outcomes and identify

  12. Standardized Assessment of Biodiversity Trends in Tropical Forest Protected Areas: The End Is Not in Sight

    Science.gov (United States)

    O'Brien, Timothy; Alvarez-Loayza, Patricia; Boekee, Kelly; Campos-Arceiz, Ahimsa; Eichberg, David; Espinosa, Santiago; Fegraus, Eric; Fletcher, Christine; Gajapersad, Krisna; Hallam, Chris; Hurtado, Johanna; Jansen, Patrick A.; Kumar, Amit; Larney, Eileen; Lima, Marcela Guimarães Moreira; Mahony, Colin; Martin, Emanuel H.; McWilliam, Alex; Mugerwa, Badru; Ndoundou-Hockemba, Mireille; Razafimahaimodison, Jean Claude; Romero-Saltos, Hugo; Rovero, Francesco; Salvador, Julia; Santos, Fernanda; Sheil, Douglas; Spironello, Wilson R.; Willig, Michael R.; Winarni, Nurul L.; Zvoleff, Alex; Andelman, Sandy J.

    2016-01-01

    Extinction rates in the Anthropocene are three orders of magnitude higher than background and disproportionately occur in the tropics, home of half the world’s species. Despite global efforts to combat tropical species extinctions, lack of high-quality, objective information on tropical biodiversity has hampered quantitative evaluation of conservation strategies. In particular, the scarcity of population-level monitoring in tropical forests has stymied assessment of biodiversity outcomes, such as the status and trends of animal populations in protected areas. Here, we evaluate occupancy trends for 511 populations of terrestrial mammals and birds, representing 244 species from 15 tropical forest protected areas on three continents. For the first time to our knowledge, we use annual surveys from tropical forests worldwide that employ a standardized camera trapping protocol, and we compute data analytics that correct for imperfect detection. We found that occupancy declined in 22%, increased in 17%, and exhibited no change in 22% of populations during the last 3–8 years, while 39% of populations were detected too infrequently to assess occupancy changes. Despite extensive variability in occupancy trends, these 15 tropical protected areas have not exhibited systematic declines in biodiversity (i.e., occupancy, richness, or evenness) at the community level. Our results differ from reports of widespread biodiversity declines based on aggregated secondary data and expert opinion and suggest less extreme deterioration in tropical forest protected areas. We simultaneously fill an important conservation data gap and demonstrate the value of large-scale monitoring infrastructure and powerful analytics, which can be scaled to incorporate additional sites, ecosystems, and monitoring methods. In an era of catastrophic biodiversity loss, robust indicators produced from standardized monitoring infrastructure are critical to accurately assess population outcomes and identify

  13. Phase Equilibrium in the System Ln-Mn-O II. Ln=Nd at 1100 C

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Kitayama, Kenzo; Kanzaki, Tadao

    2001-01-01

    Phase equilibrium is established in a Nd-Mn-O system at 1100 C by changing the oxygen partial pressure from 0 to 12.00 in -log(Po(sub 2)/atm); a phase diagram at 1100 C is presented for a Nd(sub 2)O(sub 3)-MnO-MnO(sub 2) system. Under the experimental conditions, Nd(sub 2)O(sub 3), MnO, Mn(sub 3)O(sub 4), and NdMnO(sub 3) phases are present at 1100 C, but Nd(sub 2)MnO(sub 4), Mn(sub 2)O(sub 3), and MnO(sub 2) are not stable in the system. Wide ranges of nonstoichiometry were found in the NdMnO(sub 3) phase, which coexisted with Nd(sub 2)O(sub 3). X ranges from -0.006 at log Po(sub 2)=-10.85 to 0.104 at log Po(sub 2)=0 in the form of NdMnO(sub 3+X). The nonstoichiometry is represented by the equation No/N(sub NdMnO(sub 3))=4.34x10(sup -5)(log Po(sub 2))(sup 3)+1.99x10(sup -3)(log Po(sub 2))(sup 2)+2.65x10(sup -2)(log Po(sub 2))+0.104; the activities of the components in the solid solution are also calculated with this equation. NdMnO(sub 3) has a composition range to the Nd(sub 2)O(sub 3)-rich or Nd(sub 2)O(sub 3)-poor side of LaMnO(sub 3). Lattice constants of NdMnO(sub 3) made in different oxygen partial pressures were determined

  14. Proceedings of the 2nd symposium on valves for coal conversion and utilization

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Maxfield, D.A. (ed.)

    1981-01-01

    The 2nd symposium on valves for coal conversion and utilization was held October 15 to 17, 1980. It was sponsored by the US Department of Energy, Morgantown Energy Technology Center, in cooperation with the Valve Manufacturers Association. Seventeen papers have been entered individually into EDB and ERA. (LTN)

  15. Bridging the gap between biodiversity data and policy reporting needs: An essential biodiversity variables perspective

    CSIR Research Space (South Africa)

    Geijzendorffer, IR

    2016-01-01

    Full Text Available come from less biodiverse areas such as North America and 92 Europe rather than biodiversity-rich areas such as some parts of the tropics (Collen et al. 2008; Mora et 93 al. 2008; Pereira et al. 2012) and developing countries (Butchart et al. 2010... provision, EBVs 349 for other specific ecosystem functions were missing (e.g., pollination or soil decomposition rates). 350 351 This analysis also highlighted that reporting required additional indicators on non-biodiversity variables, 352...

  16. [Identification of marine and coastal biodiversity conservation priorities in Costa Rica].

    Science.gov (United States)

    Alvarado, Juan José; Herrera, Bernal; Corrales, Lenin; Asch, Jenny; Paaby, Pía

    2011-06-01

    Costa Rica is recognized as one of the most diverse countries in species and ecosystems, in their terrestrial realm as well as in the marine. Besides this relevance, the country presents a delay on conservation and management of marine and coastal biodiversity, with respect to terrestrial. For 2006, the marine protected surface was 5,208.8 km2, with 331.5 km of coastline, in 20 protected areas. The country has made progress on the conservation priority sites identification for terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity, with few efforts on marine planning. This research presents the analysis and results of the gap identification process, for marine and coastal biodiversity conservation in the protected areas system of Costa Rica. The analysis was built with the spatial information available on the presence and distribution of coastal and marine biodiversity, the establishment of the conservation goals and a threat analysis over the ecological integrity of this biodiversity. The selection of high-priority sites was carried out using spatial optimization techniques and the superposition over the current shape of marine protected areas, in order to identify representation gaps. A total of 19,076 km2 of conservation gaps were indentified, with 1,323 km2 in the Caribbean and 17,753 km2 in the Pacific. Recommendations are aimed at planning and strengthening the marine protected areas system, using the gaps identified as a framework. It is expected that the results of this study would be the scientific base needed for planning and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in the country.

  17. Evaluating Temporal Consistency in Marine Biodiversity Hotspots

    OpenAIRE

    Piacenza, Susan E.; Thurman, Lindsey L.; Barner, Allison K.; Benkwitt, Cassandra E.; Boersma, Kate S.; Cerny-Chipman, Elizabeth B.; Ingeman, Kurt E.; Kindinger, Tye L.; Lindsley, Amy J.; Nelson, Jake; Reimer, Jessica N.; Rowe, Jennifer C.; Shen, Chenchen; Thompson, Kevin A.; Heppell, Selina S.

    2015-01-01

    With the ongoing crisis of biodiversity loss and limited resources for conservation, the concept of biodiversity hotspots has been useful in determining conservation priority areas. However, there has been limited research into how temporal variability in biodiversity may influence conservation area prioritization. To address this information gap, we present an approach to evaluate the temporal consistency of biodiversity hotspots in large marine ecosystems. Using a large scale, public monito...

  18. 2nd International Conference on Mechanical, Manufacturing and Process Plant Engineering

    CERN Document Server

    2017-01-01

    This volume presents selected papers from the 2nd International Conference on Mechanical, Manufacturing and Process Plant Engineering (ICMMPE 2016) which was held from 23rd to 24th November, 2016 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The proceedings discuss genuine problems of joining technologies that are heart of manufacturing sectors. It discusses the findings of experimental and numerical works from soldering, arc welding to solid state joining technology that faced by current industry. .

  19. Studies of diode-pumped solid-state lasers based on Nd:KGW and Nd:YAG

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Ibrahim, Akram Yousif

    1996-01-01

    The experimental part of the thesis was dedicated to the studies of diode-pumped solid- state lasers. it includes experiments with end-pumped continuous wave (CW) Nd-doped crystals. In particular, we have concentrated to Nd:KGW, a relatively new and not studied in the literature about the laser materials. We have performed some basics measurements of this material. A fibre bundle coupled laser diode array was used as a pump source. We have investigated two main optical arrangements for the pump, allowing operation in two regimes: 1- Low pump power operation using selected output power from a single of the fibre bundle. 2- high pump power operation using the total output power from the bundle. The main parameters of the cavities we use (e.g. the cavity mode and the pumping spot size), were determined using the matrix approach and the equations for the propagation of the Gaussian beams. The highest output power obtained in this work for Nd:KGW with a transverse electromagnetic (TEM 0 0) single-mode, continuous (CW) operation, was 400 mW for 1700 mW pumping power from the diode laser. We present also data about the performance of a diode pumped Nd:YAG crystal. Our experiment shows that Nd:KGW is a promising material of low and medium pumping power levels. (Author)

  20. Petroleum supply annual 1994, Volume 2

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    1995-06-01

    The Petroleum Supply Annual (PSA) contains information on the supply and disposition of crude oil and petroleum products. The publication reflects data that were collected from the petroleum industry during 1994 through annual and monthly surveys. The PSA is divided into two volumes. This first volume contains four sections: Summary Statistics, Detailed Statistics, Refinery Capacity, and Oxygenate Capacity each with final annual data. The second volume contains final statistics for each month of 1994, and replaces data previously published in the Petroleum Supply Monthly (PSM). The tables in Volumes 1 and 2 are similarly numbered to facilitate comparison between them. Explanatory Notes, located at the end of this publication, present information describing data collection, sources, estimation methodology, data quality control procedures, modifications to reporting requirements and interpretation of tables. Industry terminology and product definitions are listed alphabetically in the Glossary

  1. Drastic underestimation of amphipod biodiversity in the endangered Irano-Anatolian and Caucasus biodiversity hotspots.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Katouzian, Ahmad-Reza; Sari, Alireza; Macher, Jan N; Weiss, Martina; Saboori, Alireza; Leese, Florian; Weigand, Alexander M

    2016-03-01

    Biodiversity hotspots are centers of biological diversity and particularly threatened by anthropogenic activities. Their true magnitude of species diversity and endemism, however, is still largely unknown as species diversity is traditionally assessed using morphological descriptions only, thereby ignoring cryptic species. This directly limits evidence-based monitoring and management strategies. Here we used molecular species delimitation methods to quantify cryptic diversity of the montane amphipods in the Irano-Anatolian and Caucasus biodiversity hotspots. Amphipods are ecosystem engineers in rivers and lakes. Species diversity was assessed by analysing two genetic markers (mitochondrial COI and nuclear 28S rDNA), compared with morphological assignments. Our results unambiguously demonstrate that species diversity and endemism is dramatically underestimated, with 42 genetically identified freshwater species in only five reported morphospecies. Over 90% of the newly recovered species cluster inside Gammarus komareki and G. lacustris; 69% of the recovered species comprise narrow range endemics. Amphipod biodiversity is drastically underestimated for the studied regions. Thus, the risk of biodiversity loss is significantly greater than currently inferred as most endangered species remain unrecognized and/or are only found locally. Integrative application of genetic assessments in monitoring programs will help to understand the true magnitude of biodiversity and accurately evaluate its threat status.

  2. Circumpolar biodiversity monitoring program (CBMP): Coastal expert workshop meeting report

    Science.gov (United States)

    Anderson, Rebecca D.; McLennan, Donald; Thomson, Laura; Wegeberg, Susse; Pettersvik Arvnes, Maria; Sergienko, Liudmila; Behe, Carolina; Moss-Davies, Pitseolak; Fritz, Stacey; Christensen, Thomas K.; Price, Courtney

    2016-01-01

    The Coastal Expert Workshop, which took place in Ottawa, Canada from March 1 to 3, 2016, initiated the development of the Arctic Coastal Biodiversity Monitoring Plan (Coastal Plan). Meeting participants, including northern residents, representatives from industry, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), academia, and government regulators and agencies from across the circumpolar Arctic, discussed current biodiversity monitoring efforts, key issues facing biodiversity in Arctic coastal areas, and collectively identified monitoring indicators, or Focal Ecosystem Components (FECs). On February 29, the day before the workshop, a full day was allocated to Traditional Knowledge (TK) holders to meet and elucidate how this important knowledge can be included in the process of building the Coastal Plan and monitoring biodiversity in Arctic coastal areas, along with scientific data and variables. This document provides 1) background information about the Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Programme and the Coastal Expert Monitoring Group, 2) overviews on workshop presentations and breakout sessions, and 3) details regarding outcomes of the workshop that will inform the drafting of the Coastal Plan.

  3. 32nd Annual Conference of the Gesellschaft für Klassifikation e.V., Joint Conference with the British Classification Society (BCS) and the Dutch/Flemish Classification Society (VOC), Helmut-Schmidt-University

    CERN Document Server

    Lausen, Berthold; Seidel, Wilfried; Ultsch, Alfred

    2010-01-01

    Data Analysis, Data Handling and Business Intelligence are research areas at the intersection of computer science, artificial intelligence, mathematics, and statistics. They cover general methods and techniques that can be applied to a vast set of applications such as in marketing, finance, economics, engineering, linguistics, archaeology, musicology, medical science, and biology. This volume contains the revised versions of selected papers presented during the 32nd Annual Conference of the German Classification Society (Gesellschaft für Klassifikation, GfKl). The conference, which was organized in cooperation with the British Classification Society (BCS) and the Dutch/Flemish Classification Society (VOC), was hosted by Helmut-Schmidt-University, Hamburg, Germany, in July 2008.

  4. Mutation of mtDNA ND1 Gene in 20 Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients of Gorontalonese and Javanese Ethnicity

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    AMIEN RAMADHAN ISHAK

    2014-12-01

    Full Text Available Mitochondrial gene mutation plays a role in the development of type two diabetes mellitus (T2DM. A point mutation in the mitochondrial gene Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide dehydrogenase 1 (mtDNA ND1 gene mainly reported as the most common mutation related to T2DM. However, several studies have identified another SNP (single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the RNA region of mtDNA from patients from specific ethnic populations in Indonesia. Building on those findings, this study aimed to use PCR and DNA sequencing technology to identify nucleotides in RNA and ND1 fragment from 20 Gorontalonese and 20 Javanese T2DM patients, that may trigger T2DM expression. The results showed successful amplification of RNA along 294 bp for all samples. From these samples, we found two types of point mutation in Javanese patients in the G3316A and T3200C points of the rRNA and ND1 gene. In samples taken from Gorontalonese patients, no mutation were found in the RNA or ND1 region. We conclude that T2DM was triggered differently in our two populations. While genetic mutation is implicated for the 20 Javanese patients, T2DM pathogenesis in the Gorontalonese patients must be traced to other genetic, environmental, or behavioral factors.

  5. Spectrum of concepts associated with the term "biodiversity": a case study in a biodiversity hotspot in South America.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Cerda, Claudia; Bidegain, Iñigo

    2018-03-10

    In most conservation programs that include public participation, the word "biodiversity" is used. However, many variables influence the public understanding of the term and determine what biodiversity means to local stakeholders. Those representations of the concept must be addressed and included in conservation actions. We asked 47 local stakeholders in a biosphere reserve (BR) located in a biodiversity hotspot in South America, for whom the conservation of biodiversity is not the main focus of interest, to explain how they understand the term "biodiversity." Twenty-two different definitions were provided, ranging from purely ecological concepts to the human dimension. Although the diversity of animals and plants was the most frequently mentioned concept, the variety of concepts that emerged suggested that more explicit examples of social constructions must be considered in public participatory projects and environmental education programs. Actors living in a close relationship with nature provide a greater diversity of elements in defining biodiversity, visualizing ecological but also instrumental values.

  6. 2nd ILK symposium 2003: harmonisation of nuclear safety approaches

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Anon.

    2004-01-01

    The 2 nd International ILK Symposium held on October 28 and 29, 2003, in Munich aimed to identify the basic principles, methodologies and policies that can improve the transparency and effectiveness of safety practices within the frame work of harmonized approaches. Over the course of three sessions, each covering a series of presentations and a concluding round table discussion, the topics 'Current status of harmonisation and needs for further developments', 'Basic approaches to a well-balanced safety and risk management' and 'Strategic solutions and policies' were explored in detail. (orig.)

  7. Crystal structure, intensity luminescence characteristics and stimulated radiation of disordered gallate LaSr2Ga11O20-Nd3+

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Kaminskij, A.A.; Mill', B.V.; Belokoneva, E.L.; Butashin, A.V.; Sarkisov, S.Eh.; Kurbanov, K.; Khodzhabagyan, G.G.

    1986-01-01

    LnA 2 2+ Ga 11 O 20 and A 3 2+ M 0.5 5+ Ga 10.5 O 20 compounds are synthesized, LaSr 2 Ga 11 O 20 and LaSr 2 Ga 11 O 20 -Nd 3+ monocrystals are grown by Czochralski method. Their X-ray diffraction analysis is conducted, absorption - luminescence characteristics are obtained, stimulated Nd 3+ ion radiation is excited and investigated in two generating channel waves 4 F 3/2 → 4 I 11/2,13/2 at 300 K

  8. 22nd Italian Workshop on Neural Nets

    CERN Document Server

    Bassis, Simone; Esposito, Anna; Morabito, Francesco

    2013-01-01

    This volume collects a selection of contributions which has been presented at the 22nd Italian Workshop on Neural Networks, the yearly meeting of the Italian Society for Neural Networks (SIREN). The conference was held in Italy, Vietri sul Mare (Salerno), during May 17-19, 2012. The annual meeting of SIREN is sponsored by International Neural Network Society (INNS), European Neural Network Society (ENNS) and IEEE Computational Intelligence Society (CIS). The book – as well as the workshop-  is organized in three main components, two special sessions and a group of regular sessions featuring different aspects and point of views of artificial neural networks and natural intelligence, also including applications of present compelling interest.

  9. Steel and biodiversity: a promising alliance

    Science.gov (United States)

    Peters, Klaus; Colla, Valentina; Moonen, Anna Camilla; Branca, Teresa Annunziata; Moretto, Deny Del; Ragaglini, Giorgio; Delmiro, Vanesa Maria Menendez; Romaniello, Lea; Carler, Sophie; Hodges, Jennifer; Bullock, Matthew; Malfa, Enrico

    2018-06-01

    The term "Biodiversity" derives from a contraction of "biological diversity" and commonly refers to a measure of the variety of organisms, which are present in different ecosystems, by considering genetic variation, ecosystem variation, or species variation within an area, biome, or planet. Biodiversity is receiving an ever-increasing attention at many levels of European society as well as from many industrial sectors, and a variety of actions are being put in place in order to protect, preserve and increase it. The present paper provides examples of the capabilities and potentials of the steel sector with respect to biodiversity. In effect, steel is a valuable and fundamental structural material in order to develop measures and systems for protection of biodiversity. On the other hand, biodiversity can represent for the steel industry not only a heritage to preserve, but, through its functional traits, it can become an opportunity, offering an ecosystem's perspective to all industrial companies. In the paper, steel relevant topics and applications are analyzed leading to the conclusion that biodiversity should be exploited and can play a role with potentially relevant benefits both for the company and for local communities. Sustainability and Ecodesign of processes, products and services

  10. Substitutions in cation Nd/Ba subsystem in thin films of high-temperature superconductor NdBa2Cu3Oy

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Mozhaev, P.B.; Komissinskij, F.V.; Ivanov, Z.G.; Ovsyannikov, G.A.

    2000-01-01

    Thin films of the Nd 1+x Ba 2-x Cu 3 O y (NBCO) high-temperature superconductor with various neodymium and barium ratio are obtained through the method of combined laser spraying of targets with different elements composition. The films with neodymium excess (x >0) had low density of particles on the surface and roughness, however the critical temperature decreased with growth of x. The films with barium excess (x z particles. The NbCO structure and superconducting properties demonstrate strong dependence on the conditions of the films saturation with oxygen [ru

  11. Annual rate of hearing loss falls after fractionated stereotactic irradiation for vestibular schwannoma

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Sakamoto, Touru; Shirato, Hiroki; Takeichi, Norihito; Aoyama, Hidefumi; Fukuda, Satoshi; Miyasaka, Kazuo

    2001-01-01

    Purpose: The rate of hearing loss in a population before and after irradiation was investigated to determine the effect of irradiation on hearing impairment. Methods and materials: In 72 patients with vestibular schwannoma who received fractionated stereotactic irradiation from 1992 to 1999, 21 had had their hearing levels examined 3 months or more before the treatment. The mean time between the initial examination and treatment was 18.6 months (range: 3-89 months), and the mean time between treatment and the last follow-up was 24.2 months (12-69 months). Thirty-six to 50 Gy in 20-25 fractions over 5 to 6 weeks was given using an X-ray beam from a linear accelerator. Pure tone average (PTA) was measured using the mean hearing level at five frequencies, and the annual rate of hearing loss was defined as [(hearing loss in PTA(dB))/(follow-up period (months)x12)]. Results: The actual cumulative curve of decrease in tumor size of 2 mm or more was 38.3% at 2 years and 80.0% at 3 years. The mean of hearing loss in PTA was 11.6±10.3 dB (-1 to 35 dB) from the initial examination to the start of irradiation and 11.9±14.4 dB (-14 to 37 dB) from the start of irradiation to the last follow-up. The mean annual rates of hearing loss before irradiation and in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th years after irradiation were, respectively, 18.6, 11.2, 6.2, 5.1, and 5.0 dB/year. The annual rates of hearing loss in the 2nd year (P=0.025) and 3rd year (P=0.018) were significantly slower than the rate before irradiation. Conclusions: The mean annual rate of hearing loss was higher before irradiation than after irradiation, and hearing loss slowed rather than accelerated after irradiation. Although hearing loss after the treatment was usually permanent, fractionated stereotactic irradiation was suggested to be effective to lower the rate of hearing loss

  12. Use of thermodynamic calculation for investigating phase diagram of the ternary system NaCl-PbCl2-NdCl3

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Kostygov, V.I.; Potemin, S.S.

    1984-01-01

    Thermodynamic calculation of meltability diagram of ternary system NaCl-PbCl 2 -NdCl 3 with the use of literature and experimental data on meltability diagrams of binary systems forming it, as well as data on crystallization heats of the components, has been carried out. Equations are derived under condition of pseudoperfection of the ternary system. 64 mol.% PbCl 2 , 26 mol.% NaCl, 10 mol.% NdCl 3 and average temperature of crystallization 391 deg C correspond to the calculated composition of the ternary eutectics, 49 mol.% PbCl 2 , 35 mol.% NaCl, 16 mol.% NdCl 3 and average temperature of peritectic transformation 416 deg C - to the composition of the ternary peritectic. The results obtained agree well with the experimental data

  13. Soil biodiversity for agricultural sustainability

    NARCIS (Netherlands)

    Brussaard, L.; Ruiter, de P.C.; Brown, G.G.

    2007-01-01

    We critically highlight some evidence for the importance of soil biodiversity to sustaining (agro-)ecosystem functioning and explore directions for future research. We first deal with resistance and resilience against abiotic disturbance and stress. There is evidence that soil biodiversity does

  14. Characterisation of NdFeB thin films prepared on (100)Si substrates with SiO2 barrier layers

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Sood, D.K.; Muralidhar, G.K.

    1998-01-01

    This work presents a systematic study of the deposition and characterization of NdFeB films on substrates of Si(100) and of SiO2 layer thermally grown on Si(100) held at RT, 360 deg C or 440 deg C. The post-deposition annealing is performed at 600 or 800 deg C in vacuum. The films are characterised using the analytical techniques of RBS, SIMS, XRD, OM and SEM. Results indicate that SiO2 is, in deed, an excellent diffusion barrier layer till 600 deg C but becomes relatively less effective at 800 deg C. Without this barrier layer, interdiffusion at the Si-NdFeB film interface leads to formation of iron silicides, α-Fe and B exclusion from the diffusion zone, in competition with the formation of the magnetic NdFeB phase. (authors)

  15. Growth, spectral properties, and laser demonstration of Nd:(Lu0.5Gd0.5)2SiO5 crystal

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Li, D Z; Xu, X D; Wu, F; Xia, C T; Zhang, J; Ma, J; Cong, Z H; Tang, D Y; Zhu, H M; Chen, X Y; Xu, J

    2011-01-01

    A Nd:(Lu 0.5 Gd 0.5 ) 2 SiO 5 (Nd:LGSO) crystal has been grown by the Czochralski method. The cell parameters were analyzed with X-ray diffraction (XRD). The Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters Ω 2,4,6 were obtained to be 5.37, 1.63, and 5.57×10 -20 cm 2 , respectively. The absorption and emission cross sections and branching ratios were calculated. The Nd:LGSO crystal reveals a broadband emission feature (FWHM = 9.8 nm), which shows potential as gain medium for ultrashort pulse lasers. The radiative and fluorescence lifetimes are 299 and 230 μs, respectively, resulting in a quantum efficiency of 77%. Pumped by a laser diode, the maximum continuous wave (CW) output power of 444 mW and a slope efficiency of 17.7% have been obtained

  16. Growth, spectral properties, and laser demonstration of Nd:(Lu0.5Gd0.5)2SiO5 crystal

    Science.gov (United States)

    Li, D. Z.; Xu, X. D.; Zhang, J.; Cong, Z. H.; Tang, D. Y.; Ma, J.; Zhu, H. M.; Chen, X. Y.; Wu, F.; Xia, C. T.; Xu, J.

    2011-09-01

    A Nd:(Lu0.5Gd0.5)2SiO5 (Nd:LGSO) crystal has been grown by the Czochralski method. The cell parameters were analyzed with X-ray diffraction (XRD). The Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters Ω2,4,6 were obtained to be 5.37, 1.63, and 5.57×10-20 cm2, respectively. The absorption and emission cross sections and branching ratios were calculated. The Nd:LGSO crystal reveals a broadband emission feature (FWHM = 9.8 nm), which shows potential as gain medium for ultrashort pulse lasers. The radiative and fluorescence lifetimes are 299 and 230 μs, respectively, resulting in a quantum efficiency of 77%. Pumped by a laser diode, the maximum continuous wave (CW) output power of 444 mW and a slope efficiency of 17.7% have been obtained.

  17. Comparison of Q-switched Nd:YAG laser alone versus its combination with ultrapulse CO2 laser for the treatment of black tattoo.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Vanarase, Mithila; Gautam, Ram Krishan; Arora, Pooja; Bajaj, Sonali; Meena, Neha; Khurana, Ananta

    2017-10-01

    Q-switched lasers are conventionally used for the treatment of black tattoo. However, they require multiple sittings, and the response may be slow due to competing epidermal pigment in dark skin. To compare the efficacy of Q-switched Nd:YAG laser alone with its combination with ultrapulse CO 2 for the removal of black tattoo. Sixty patients with black tattoo were randomized into two groups viz., group A and group B. Group A was treated with QS Nd:YAG laser (1064 nm) alone, and group B received combination of ablative ultrapulse CO 2 followed by fixed-dose QS Nd:YAG laser (1064 nm), at 6-week interval for a maximum of 6 sittings. After each sitting, 3 independent physicians noted percentage of improvement that was evaluated using visual analogue scale (VAS) and grading system for tattoo ink lightening (TIL). Combination laser (group B) showed statistically significant improvement in mean VAS score in the last 2 noted visits as compared to 1st session (p tattoos, combination of ultrapulse CO 2 laser and QS Nd:YAG laser is superior to QS Nd:YAG laser alone.

  18. The 2nd Guards Tank Army in the Berlin Strategic Offensive Operation

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Vladimir Ottovich Daynes

    2015-01-01

    Full Text Available One of the greatest battles of the Great Patriotic and also the World War II took place on the outskirts of the capital of Nazi Germany on April 16, 1945. Three magor fronts - 1st Belorussian, 2nd Byelorussian, 1st Ukrainian - and four tank armies were involved. They were not used as highly mobile groups to enter Berlin from the north and north-west, they were sent first to break powerful enemy defenses, and then to wage battles on the streets. The Supreme Command and the commanders of the 1st Byelorussian and 1st Ukrainian fronts understood the inevitability of heavy losses in tanks and troops, but deliberately took this step. The aim was not only a speedy capture of the German capital and the end of the war, but also to be ahead of allies on their way to Berlin. The article deals with the planning and preparation for the Berlin Strategic Offensive Operation, the use of 2nd Guards Tank Army, who played along with other tank divisions a magor role in the success of this operation.

  19. Studies in Teaching: 2017 Research Digest. Action Research Projects Presented at Annual Research Forum (Winston-Salem, North Carolina, June 29, 2017)

    Science.gov (United States)

    McCoy, Leah P., Ed.

    2017-01-01

    This document presents the proceedings of the 22nd Annual Research Forum held June 29, 2017, at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Included are the following 12 action research papers: (1) Using Captioned Video to Teach Listening Comprehension in a Spanish Classroom (Michelle Allen); (2) Multimodal Instruction: How Film…

  20. Multi-phase EBSD mapping and local texture analysis in NdFeB sintered magnets

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Woodcock, T.G., E-mail: t.woodcock@ifw-dresden.de [IFW Dresden, Institute for Metallic Materials, PO Box 270116, 01171 Dresden (Germany); Gutfleisch, O. [IFW Dresden, Institute for Metallic Materials, PO Box 270116, 01171 Dresden (Germany)

    2011-02-15

    A combination of electron backscatter diffraction and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy has been used to identify the crystal structure and composition of all the phases present in commercially available NdFeB sintered magnets and to map their spatial distribution. The Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B and NdO grains were shown to have low defect densities. The fcc Nd-rich and Nd{sub 2}O{sub 3} grains had intra-grain misorientation angles of up to 14{sup o}, which was shown to be due to defects. Large numbers ({approx}100) of data points for each phase were used to study texture in the NdO, Nd{sub 2}O{sub 3} and Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B phases. The Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B grains exhibited a <0 0 1> fibre texture. The Nd oxide phases showed no strong texture, which implied that no strongly preferred orientation relationships between those phases and Nd{sub 2}Fe{sub 14}B exist. The result was shown to be valid for optimally annealed samples exhibiting high coercivity and as-sintered samples exhibiting low coercivity.

  1. Positive magnetoresistance in ferromagnetic Nd-doped In2O3 thin films grown by pulse laser deposition

    KAUST Repository

    Xing, G. Z.

    2014-05-23

    We report the magnetic and magnetotransport properties of (In 0.985Nd0.015)2O2.89 thin films grown by pulse laser deposition. The clear magnetization hysteresis loops with the complementary magnetic domain structure reveal the intrinsic room temperature ferromagnetism in the as-prepared films. The strong sp-f exchange interaction as a result of the rare earth doping is discussed as the origin of the magnetotransport behaviours. A positive magnetoresistance (∼29.2%) was observed at 5 K and ascribed to the strong ferromagnetic sp-f exchange interaction in (In0.985Nd0.015)2O 2.89 thin films due to a large Zeeman splitting in an external magnetic field of 50 KOe. © 2014 AIP Publishing LLC.

  2. Coercivity of Nd-Fe-B hot-deformed magnets produced by the spark plasma sintering method

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Tetsuji Saito

    2017-05-01

    Full Text Available The effects of Nd-Cu alloy powder addition on the microstructures and magnetic properties of Nd-Fe-B hot-deformed magnets produced by the spark plasma sintering (SPS method were investigated. The addition of a small amount of Nd-Cu alloy powder, up to 2%, significantly increased the coercivity of the Nd-Fe-B hot-deformed magnets without deteriorating the crystallographic alignment of the Nd2Fe14B phase. The Nd-Fe-B hot-deformed magnet with 2% Nd-Cu alloy powder had the same remanence value as the Nd-Fe-B hot-deformed magnet without Nd-Cu alloy powder addition, but the magnet with 2% Nd-Cu alloy powder exhibited higher coercivity and a higher maximum energy product than the magnet without Nd-Cu alloy powder addition.

  3. Annual and seasonal CO2 fluxes from Russian southern taiga soils

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Kurganova, I.; Lopes De Gerenyu, V.; Rozanova, L.; Sapronov, D.; Myakshina, T.; Kudeyarov, V.

    2003-01-01

    Annual and seasonal characteristics of CO 2 emission from five different ecosystems were studied in situ (Russia, Moscow Region) from November 1997 through October 2000. The annual behaviour of the soil respiration rate is influenced by weather conditions during a particular year. Annual CO 2 fluxes from the soils depend on land use of the soils and averaged 684 and 906 g C/m 2 from sandy Albeluvisols (sod-podzolic soils) under forest and grassland, respectively. Annual emission from clay Phaeozems (grey forest soils) was lower and ranged from 422 to 660 g C/m 2 ; the order of precedence was arable 2 fluxes caused by weather conditions ranged from 18% (forest ecosystem on Phaeozems) to 31% (agro-ecosystem). The contribution from the cold period (with snow, November-April) to the annual CO 2 flux was substantial and averaged 21% and 14% for natural and agricultural ecosystems, respectively. The CO 2 fluxes comprised approximately 48-51% in summer, 23-24% in autumn, 18-20% in spring and 7-10% in winter of the total annual carbon dioxide flux

  4. Thermal stability of SiO{sub 2}–B{sub 2}O{sub 3}–Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}–Na{sub 2}O–CaO glasses with high Nd{sub 2}O{sub 3} and MoO{sub 3} concentrations

    Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

    Chouard, Nolwenn [Chimie ParisTech, PSL Research University, CNRS, Institut de Recherche de Chimie Paris (IRCP), 75005, Paris (France); Laboratoire d' Etude et Développement des Matrices de Conditionnement, CEA/DEN/DTCD/SECM, Marcoule, 30207, Bagnols-sur-Cèze (France); Caurant, Daniel, E-mail: daniel.caurant@chimie-paristech.fr [Chimie ParisTech, PSL Research University, CNRS, Institut de Recherche de Chimie Paris (IRCP), 75005, Paris (France); Majérus, Odile; Guezi-Hasni, Nadia [Chimie ParisTech, PSL Research University, CNRS, Institut de Recherche de Chimie Paris (IRCP), 75005, Paris (France); Dussossoy, Jean-Luc [Laboratoire des Matériaux et Procédés Actifs, CEA/DEN/DTCD/SECM/LMPA, Marcoule, 30207, Bagnols-sur-Cèze (France); Baddour-Hadjean, Rita; Pereira-Ramos, Jean-Pierre [Groupe Electrochimie et Spectroscopie des Matériaux (UMR CNRS 7182), Institut de Chimie et des Matériaux Paris-Est, 94320, Thiais (France)

    2016-06-25

    The incorporation of high MoO{sub 3} amounts in borosilicate glasses developed for the immobilization of radioactive waste may lead to the crystallization of Mo-rich phases that may induce a decrease of the long term performances of glasses. It is thus essential to understand their crystallization mechanisms and the possible effect of other abundant fission products present in the wastes (such as rare earths) in order to control or to avoid their formation during glass preparation. This paper presents a study, performed by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Raman and optical absorption spectroscopies of the stability as a function of the thermal treatment temperature T{sub C} of a simplified Mo-rich nuclear waste glass. The impact of the addition of a high amount of Nd{sub 2}O{sub 3} on the thermal stability of this glass is studied. For comparison, the thermal stability of a Nd{sub 2}O{sub 3}-rich glass without Mo is also presented. The crystallization range of all phases formed in these glasses (CaMoO{sub 4}, Na{sub 2}MoO{sub 4}, Ca{sub 2}Nd{sub 8}(SiO{sub 4}){sub 6}O{sub 2} (apatite)) and the evolution of their structure and microstructure as a function of T{sub C} are presented. The introduction of Nd{sub 2}O{sub 3} in the MoO{sub 3}-rich glass inhibits the crystallization of molybdates (increase of Mo solubility), as long as apatite does not form which suggests that [MoO{sub 4}]{sup 2-} entities and Nd{sup 3+} cations are close to each other in the glass structure. Besides, when a high density of apatite crystals form, for instance from glass surface, small Mo-rich partially crystallized globular heterogeneities are observed between these crystals that exacerbate the nucleation of new apatite crystals (nucleating effect). - Highlights: • Effect of MoO{sub 3} and Nd{sub 2}O{sub 3} separately or together on glass crystallization is studied. • The crystallization range of molybdates and apatite (Ca{sub 2}Nd{sub 8}(SiO{sub 4}){sub 6}O{sub 2}) was

  5. Potential impacts of global warming on Australia's unique tropical biodiversity and implications for tropical biodiversity in general

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Hilbert, David W

    2007-01-01

    Full text: Full text: Globally, forest clearing is often thought to be the greatest threat to biodiversity in the tropics, and rates of clearing are certainly highest there, particularly in tropical South-East Asia. Climate change in the tropics has been less studied in tropical regions than in temperate, boreal or arctic ecosystems. However, modelling studies in Australian rainforests indicate that climate change may be a particularly significant threat to the long-term preservation of the biodiversity of tropical, rainforest biodiversity. Our research has shown that global warming can have a particularly strong impact on the biodiversity of mountainous tropical regions, including the Wet Tropics of north-east Queensland. Here, the mountain tops and higher tablelands are relatively cool islands in a sea of warmer climates. These species-rich islands, mostly limited in their biodiversity by warm interglacial periods, are separated from each other by the warmer valleys and form a scattered archipelago of habitat for organisms that are unable to survive and reproduce in warmer climates. Many of the endemic Australian Wet Tropics species live only in these cooler regions. Similar situations occur throughout south-east Asia and in the highlands of the Neotropics. Unfortunately, these upland and highland areas represent the majority of biodiversity conservation areas because they are less suitable for clearing for agriculture. This presentation will summarise research about the potential impacts of climate change on the biodiversity in Australia's rainforests, the potential implications for tropical biodiversity in general and discuss the limitations of these projections and the need for further research that could reduce uncertainties and inform effective adaptation strategies

  6. 2nd symposium on materials research 1991. Papers and posters. Vol. 2

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Vierkorn-Rudolph, B.; Lillack, D.; Clar, H.J.

    1991-01-01

    With the '2nd symposium on materials research' the technological status of the Federal Republic was to be documented and balanced in the area of the new materials. Through overview lectures and subject-related lectures, results of fundamental research up to practical material developments are introduced. In the first volume, the polymers and metals topic circles are discussed; in the second volume, the ceramic materials, composites as well as the measurement technology, the testing method and analysis engineering; and in the third volume thin film technology and tribology. This was followed by a poster presentation (286 posters) on the subject of ceramic materials, powder metallurgy, high temperature and special materials, composites and new polymers. (MM) [de

  7. 2nd Annual Conference of Bangladesh Medical Physics Society

    Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

    Bangladesh Medical Physics Society (BMPS

    2013-10-01

    Full Text Available Following abstracts proceedings are available in PDF:Challenges in brachytherapy dosimetryEssentials of periodic QA in radiation therapyInterventional radiotherapy or brachytherapy: new challenges for a successful techniqueExternal beam radiotherapy and high dose rate (HDR brachytherapy treatment for carcinoma cervix practice in BPKMCH, Bharatpur, NepalTransition from 2D to 3D-CRT (NICRH experienceConformal HDR brachytherapy for prostate cancer: comparison between boost and monotherapyImportance and procedures of quality control of diagnostic CT and CT simulator using for modern radiation therapyMedical physics and biomedical engineering education in Gono UniversityPlan verification in tomotherapy using 3D semiconductor detectorComparison of the miniaturized Co-60 and Ir-192 sources in HDR brachytherpy applicationsA Supine based cranio-spinal irradiation technique using moving field junctions radiotherapyStatistical variation and significance in the responses of thyroid follicular cells of two areas of Bangladesh due to radiotherapy into head and neck regionDetermining proper patient’s set-up parameters like IFD, gantry angles, and field width in Ca. breast to achieve precise treatment, in a center where TPS & simulators are not availableAccidental exposure of cancer patient and its preventionComparison of physical and enhanced dynamic wedges beam characteristics for 6 MV photon energy using pencil-beam convolution (PBC algorithmProcedure to set up a radiotherapy unit & low cost unit analysisPatient setup verification and quality control (QC of electronic portal imaging device (EPID

  8. Biodiversity scenarios neglect future land-use changes.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Titeux, Nicolas; Henle, Klaus; Mihoub, Jean-Baptiste; Regos, Adrián; Geijzendorffer, Ilse R; Cramer, Wolfgang; Verburg, Peter H; Brotons, Lluís

    2016-07-01

    Efficient management of biodiversity requires a forward-looking approach based on scenarios that explore biodiversity changes under future environmental conditions. A number of ecological models have been proposed over the last decades to develop these biodiversity scenarios. Novel modelling approaches with strong theoretical foundation now offer the possibility to integrate key ecological and evolutionary processes that shape species distribution and community structure. Although biodiversity is affected by multiple threats, most studies addressing the effects of future environmental changes on biodiversity focus on a single threat only. We examined the studies published during the last 25 years that developed scenarios to predict future biodiversity changes based on climate, land-use and land-cover change projections. We found that biodiversity scenarios mostly focus on the future impacts of climate change and largely neglect changes in land use and land cover. The emphasis on climate change impacts has increased over time and has now reached a maximum. Yet, the direct destruction and degradation of habitats through land-use and land-cover changes are among the most significant and immediate threats to biodiversity. We argue that the current state of integration between ecological and land system sciences is leading to biased estimation of actual risks and therefore constrains the implementation of forward-looking policy responses to biodiversity decline. We suggest research directions at the crossroads between ecological and environmental sciences to face the challenge of developing interoperable and plausible projections of future environmental changes and to anticipate the full range of their potential impacts on biodiversity. An intergovernmental platform is needed to stimulate such collaborative research efforts and to emphasize the societal and political relevance of taking up this challenge. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  9. Early mantle differentiation: constraint from 146Sm-142Nd systematics

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Caro, G.

    2005-07-01

    We present new ultra-high precision 142 Nd/ 144 Nd measurements of early Archaean rocks using the new generation thermal ionization mass spectrometer TRITON. Repeated measurements of the Ames Nd standard demonstrate that the 142 Nd/ 144 Nd ratio can be determined with external precision of 2 ppm (2s), allowing confident resolution of anomalies as small as 5 ppm. A major analytical improvement lies in the elimination of the double normalization procedure required to correct our former measurements from a secondary mass fractionation effect. Our new results indicate that metasediments, meta-basalts and orthogneisses from the 3.6 - 3.8 Ga West Greenland craton display positive 142 Nd anomalies ranging from 8 to 15 ppm. Using a simple two-stage model with initial e 143 Nd value of 1.9 ± 0.6 e-units, coupled 147 Sm- 143 Nd and 146 Sm- 142 Nd chronometry constrains mantle differentiation to 50 to 200 Ma after formation of the solar system. This chronological constraint is consistent with differentiation of the Earth's mantle during the late stage of crystallization of a magma ocean. We have developed a two-box model describing 142 Nd and 143 Nd isotopic evolution of depleted mantle during the subsequent evolution of the crust-mantle system. Our results indicate that early terrestrial proto-crust had a lifetime of ca. 500 Ma in order to produce the observed Nd isotope signature of Archaean rocks. In the context of this two box mantle-crust system, we model the evolution of isotopic and chemical heterogeneity of depleted mantle as a function of the mantle stirring time. Using the dispersion of 142 Nd/ 144 Nd and 143 Nd/ 144 Nd ratios observed in early Archaean rocks, we constrain the stirring time of early Earth's mantle to 100 - 150 Ma, a factor of 5 to 10 shorter than stirring time inferred from modern oceanic basalts. (author)

  10. 146Sm-142Nd systematics measured in enstatite chondrites reveals a heterogeneous distribution of 142Nd in the solar nebula.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Gannoun, Abdelmouhcine; Boyet, Maud; Rizo, Hanika; El Goresy, Ahmed

    2011-05-10

    The short-lived (146)Sm-(142)Nd chronometer (T(1/2) = 103 Ma) is used to constrain the early silicate evolution of planetary bodies. The composition of bulk terrestrial planets is then considered to be similar to that of primitive chondrites that represent the building blocks of rocky planets. However for many elements chondrites preserve small isotope differences. In this case it is not always clear to what extent these variations reflect the isotope heterogeneity of the protosolar nebula rather than being produced by the decay of parent isotopes. Here we present Sm-Nd isotopes data measured in a comprehensive suite of enstatite chondrites (EC). The EC preserve (142)Nd/(144)Nd ratios that range from those of ordinary chondrites to values similar to terrestrial samples. The EC having terrestrial (142)Nd/(144)Nd ratios are also characterized by small (144)Sm excesses, which is a pure p-process nuclide. The correlation between (144)Sm and (142)Nd for chondrites may indicate a heterogeneous distribution in the solar nebula of p-process matter synthesized in supernovae. However to explain the difference in (142)Nd/(144)Nd ratios, 20% of the p-process contribution to (142)Nd is required, at odds with the value of 4% currently proposed in stellar models. This study highlights the necessity of obtaining high-precision (144)Sm measurements to interpret properly measured (142)Nd signatures. Another explanation could be that the chondrites sample material formed in different pulses of the lifetime of asymptotic giant branch stars. Then the isotope signature measured in SiC presolar would not represent the unique s-process signature of the material present in the solar nebula during accretion.

  11. Neutron scattering from (CD3ND3)2MnCl4

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Lehner, N.

    1978-12-01

    For the perovskite-type crystal (CD 3 ND 3 ) 2 MnCl 4 neutron scattering experiments were performed concerning the magnetic behaviour, critical phenomena and lattice dynamics. The crystal is built up from layers, resulting in a quasi two-dimensional antiferromagnetic order, whereas the lattice dynamics shows a more three-dimensional behaviour; this can be explained by long-range Coulomb forces. Only the correlation lengths, which were determined by critical scattering, show a pronounced anisotropy. (orig.) [de

  12. Mechanical properties of Nd-Ba-Cu-O bulk superconductors

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Matsui, Motohide; Sakai, Naomichi; Murakami, Masato; Osamura, Kozo

    2003-01-01

    We investigated the effects of Nd422 and Ag particles on the mechanical properties in Nd-Ba-Cu-O bulk superconductors. Both Nd422 and Ag particles were effective in decreasing the amount of microcracks running along the c direction. In the case of Nd422, however, excessive Nd422 addition enhanced the crack propagation, resulting in the degradation of mechanical strength. In the case of Ag addition, the beneficial effect of its ductile mechanical property was not observed. This was due to a relatively large size of Ag particles and low interfacial strength between Ag and Nd123 matrix. It was remarkable that the Weibull coefficient of the sample with Ag 2 O addition exceeded 13, which is reliable enough for practical engineering applications

  13. Economic inequality predicts biodiversity loss.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Mikkelson, Gregory M; Gonzalez, Andrew; Peterson, Garry D

    2007-05-16

    Human activity is causing high rates of biodiversity loss. Yet, surprisingly little is known about the extent to which socioeconomic factors exacerbate or ameliorate our impacts on biological diversity. One such factor, economic inequality, has been shown to affect public health, and has been linked to environmental problems in general. We tested how strongly economic inequality is related to biodiversity loss in particular. We found that among countries, and among US states, the number of species that are threatened or declining increases substantially with the Gini ratio of income inequality. At both levels of analysis, the connection between income inequality and biodiversity loss persists after controlling for biophysical conditions, human population size, and per capita GDP or income. Future research should explore potential mechanisms behind this equality-biodiversity relationship. Our results suggest that economic reforms would go hand in hand with, if not serving as a prerequisite for, effective conservation.

  14. Mapping High Biomass Corridors for Climate and Biodiversity Co-Benefits

    Science.gov (United States)

    Jantz, P.; Goetz, S. J.; Laporte, N. T.

    2013-12-01

    A key issue in global conservation is how climate mitigation activities can secure biodiversity co-benefits. Tropical deforestation releases significant amounts of CO2 to the atmosphere and results in widespread biodiversity loss. The dominant strategy for forest conservation has been protected area designation. However, maintaining biodiversity in protected areas requires ecological exchange with ecosystems in which they are embedded. At current funding levels, existing conservation strategies are unlikely to prevent further loss of connectivity between protected areas and surrounding landscapes. The emergence of REDD+, a mechanism for funding carbon emissions reductions from deforestation in developing countries, suggests an alignment of goals and financial resources for protecting forest carbon, maintaining biodiversity in protected areas, and minimizing loss of forest ecosystem services. Identifying, protecting and sustainably managing vegetation carbon stocks between protected areas can provide both climate mitigation benefits through avoided CO2 emissions from deforestation and biodiversity benefits through the targeted protection of forests that maintain connectivity between protected areas and surrounding ecosystems. We used a high resolution, pan-tropical map of vegetation carbon stocks derived from MODIS, GLAS lidar and field measurements to map corridors that traverse areas of highest aboveground biomass between protected areas. We mapped over 13,000 corridors containing 49 GtC, accounting for 14% of unprotected vegetation carbon stock in the tropics. In the majority of cases, carbon density in corridors was commensurate with that of the protected areas they connect, suggesting significant opportunities for achieving climate mitigation and biodiversity co-benefits. To further illustrate the utility of this approach, we conducted a multi-criteria analysis of corridors in the Brazilian Amazon, identifying high biodiversity, high vegetation carbon stock

  15. Shortfalls in the global protected area network at representing marine biodiversity.

    Science.gov (United States)

    Klein, Carissa J; Brown, Christopher J; Halpern, Benjamin S; Segan, Daniel B; McGowan, Jennifer; Beger, Maria; Watson, James E M

    2015-12-03

    The first international goal for establishing marine protected areas (MPAs) to conserve the ocean's biodiversity was set in 2002. Since 2006, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has driven MPA establishment, with 193 parties committed to protecting >10% of marine environments globally by 2020, especially 'areas of particular importance for biodiversity' (Aichi target 11). This has resulted in nearly 10 million km(2) of new MPAs, a growth of ~360% in a decade. Unlike on land, it is not known how well protected areas capture marine biodiversity, leaving a significant gap in our understanding of existing MPAs and future protection requirements. We assess the overlap of global MPAs with the ranges of 17,348 marine species (fishes, mammals, invertebrates), and find that 97.4% of species have biodiversity. Our results offer strategic guidance on where MPAs should be placed to support the CBD's overall goal to avert biodiversity loss. Achieving this goal is imperative for nature and humanity, as people depend on biodiversity for important and valuable services.

  16. Biodiversity technologies: tools as change agents

    Science.gov (United States)

    Snaddon, Jake; Petrokofsky, Gillian; Jepson, Paul; Willis, Katherine J.

    2013-01-01

    A meeting on Biodiversity Technologies was held by the Biodiversity Institute, Oxford on the 27–28 of September 2012 at the Department of Zoology, University of Oxford. The symposium brought together 36 speakers from North America, Australia and across Europe, presenting the latest research on emerging technologies in biodiversity science and conservation. Here we present a perspective on the general trends emerging from the symposium. PMID:23221877

  17. High-power diode-pumped Nd:Lu2O3 crystal continuous-wave thin-disk laser at 1359 nm

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Li, J H; Liu, X H; Wu, J B; Zhang, X; Li, Y L

    2012-01-01

    We present for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, a 1359 nm continuous-wave (CW) Nd:Lu 2 O 3 laser based on the 4 F 5/2 – 4 F 13/2 transition. The use of a pump module with 16 passes through the crystal allowed the realization of a Nd:Lu 2 O 3 thin-disk laser with 3.52 W of CW output power. The slope efficiency with respect to the incident pump power was 21.4%, and the fluctuation of the output power was better than 3.55% in the given 2 hour. The beam quality factor M 2 is 1.14 and 1.18 for tangential direction and sagittal direction, respectively

  18. Stimulated emission (4F3/2 → 4I11/2 channel) with LD and Xe-flashlamp pumping of tetragonal, incommensurately modulated Ca2MgSi2O7:Nd3+(Na+) – a new disordered laser crystal

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Kaminskii, A A; Nakao, H; Ueda, K; Shirakawa, A; Bohatý, L; Becker, P; Liebertz, J; Kleinschrodt, R

    2010-01-01

    Non-centrosymmetric tetragonal crystal Ca 2 MgSi 2 O 7 :Nd 3+ (Na + ) with incommensurately modulated melilite-type structure is presented as a new laser crystal. By LD and Xe-flashlamp pumping its CW and free-running pulsed stimulated emission of the 4 F 3/2 → 4 I 11/2 generation channel of Nd 3+ lasant ions was excited

  19. On the 2nd order autocorrelation of an XUV attosecond pulse train

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Tzallas, P.; Benis, E.; Nikolopoulos, L.A.A.; Tsakiris, G.D.; Witte, K.; Charalambidis, P

    2005-01-01

    Full text: We present the first direct measurement of sub-fs light bunching that has been achieved, extending well established fs optical metrology to XUV as pulses. A mean train pulse duration of 780 as has been extracted through a 2 nd order autocorrelation approach, utilizing a nonlinear effect that is induced solely by the XUV radiation to be characterized. The approach is based on (i) a bisected spherical mirror XUV wavefront divider used as an autocorrelator and (ii) the two photon ionization of atomic He by a superposition of the 7 th to the 15 th harmonic of a Ti:sapph laser. The measured temporal mean width is more than twice its Fourier transform limited (FTL) value, in contrast to the as train pulse durations measured through other approaches, which where found much closer to the FTL values. We have investigated, and discuss here the origin of this discrepancy. An assessment of the validity of the 2 nd order AC approach for the broad band XUV radiation of as pulses is implemented through ab initio calculations (solution of the 3D TDSE of He in the presence of the superposition of the harmonic superposition) modeling the spectral and temporal response of the two-XUV-photon He ionization detector employed. It is found that both the spectral and temporal response are not affecting the measured duration. The mean width of the as train bursts is estimated from the spectral phases of the individual harmonics as they result from the rescattering model, taking into account the spatially modulated temporal width of the radiation due to the spatiotemporal intensity distribution of the driving field during the harmonic generation process. The measured value is found in reasonable agreement with the estimated duration. The method used for the 2 nd order AC in itself initiates further XUV-pump-XUV-probe studies of sub-fs-scale dynamics and at the same time becomes highly pertinent in connection with nonlinear experiments using XUV free - electron laser sources. Refs

  20. Effect of substituted rare earth element in (Yb1-xNd x)Ba2Cu3O y thin film on growth orientation and superconducting properties

    International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

    Honda, R.; Ichino, Y.; Yoshida, Y.; Takai, Y.; Matsumoto, K.; Ichinose, A.; Kita, R.; Mukaida, M.; Horii, S.

    2005-01-01

    We studied the orientation and superconducting properties in (Yb 1-x Nd x )Ba 2 Cu 3 O y (Yb/Nd123) thin films as a function of Yb/Nd composition ratio x. As a results, we needed so high oxygen pressure as to increase x for obtaining the c-axis oriented films. J c -B curves in the Yb/Nd123 thin films were superior to that in YBa 2 Cu 3 O y thin film. Since a RE fluctuation in a composition in the Yb/Nd123 thin films was observed with TEM-EDX, we speculated the pinning centers in the Yb/Nd123 thin films were strongly affected by the RE fluctuation