Spontaneous Growth of Gallium-Filled Microcapillaries on Ion-Bombarded GaN

Bottom-up growth of microscopic pillars is observed at room temperature on GaN irradiated with a Ga+ beam in a gaseous XeF2 environment. Ion bombardment produces Ga droplets which evolve into pillars, each comprised of a spherical Ga cap atop a Ga-fille

Merging DNA metabarcoding and ecological network analysis to understand and build resilient terrestrial ecosystems

Summary 1. Significant advances in both mathematical and molecular approaches in ecology offer unprecedented opportunities to describe and understand ecosystem functioning. Ecological networks describe interactions between species, the underlying structure of communities and the function and stability of ecosystems. They provide the ability to assess the robustness of complex ecological communities to species loss, as well as a novel way of guiding restoration. However, empirically quantifying the interactions between entire communities remains a significant challenge. 2. Concomitantly, advances in DNA sequencing technologies are resolving previously intractable questions in functional and taxonomic biodiversity and provide enormous potential to determine hitherto difficult to observe species interactions. Combining DNA metabarcoding approaches with ecological network analysis presents important new opportunities for understanding large-scale ecological and evolutionary processes, as well as providing powerful tools for building ecosystems that are resilient to environmental change. 3. We propose a novel ‘nested tagging’ metabarcoding approach for the rapid construction of large, phylogenetically structured species-interaction networks. Taking tree–insect–parasitoid ecological networks as an illustration, we show how measures of network robustness, constructed using DNA metabarcoding, can be used to determine the consequences of tree species loss within forests, and forest habitat loss within wider landscapes. By determining which species and habitats are important to network integrity, we propose new directions for forest management. 4. Merging metabarcoding with ecological network analysis provides a revolutionary opportunity to construct some of the largest, phylogenetically structured species-interaction networks to date, providing new ways to: (i) monitor biodiversity and ecosystem functioning; (ii) assess the robustness of interacting communities to species loss; and (iii) build ecosystems that are more resilient to environmental change

GEMINI near-infrared spectroscopic observations of young massive stars embedded in molecular clouds

K-band spectra of young stellar candidates in four southern hemisphere clusters have been obtained with the near-infrared spectrograph GNIRS in Gemini South. The clusters are associated with IRAS sources that have colours characteristic of ultracompact HII regions. Spectral types were obtained by comparison of the observed spectra with those of a NIR library; the results include the spectral classification of nine massive stars and seven objects confirmed as background late-type stars. Two of the studied sources have K-band spectra compatible with those characteristic of very hot stars, as inferred from the presence of Civ, Niii, and Nv emission lines at 2.078 micron, 2.116 micron, and 2.100 micron respectively. One of them, I16177 IRS1, has a K-band spectrum similar to that of Cyg OB2 7, an O3If* supergiant star. The nebular K-band spectrum of the associated UC Hii region shows the s-process [Kriii] and [Seiv] high excitation emission lines, previously identified only in planetary nebula. One young stellar object (YSO) was found in each cluster, associated with either the main IRAS source or a nearby resolved MSX component, confirming the results obtained from previous NIR photometric surveys. The distances to the stars were derived from their spectral types and previously determined JHK magnitudes; they agree well with the values obtained from the kinematic method, except in the case of IRAS15408-5356, for which the spectroscopic distance is about a factor two smaller than the kinematic value.Comment: This is the version that will be published by the Montly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Societ

Night Matters—Why the Interdisciplinary Field of “Night Studies” Is Needed

The night has historically been neglected in both disciplinary and interdisciplinary research. To some extent, this is not surprising, given the diurnal bias of human researchers and the difficulty of performing work at night. The night is, however, a critical element of biological, chemical, physical, and social systems on Earth. Moreover, research into social issues such as inequality, demographic changes, and the transition to a sustainable economy will be compromised if the night is not considered. Recent years, however, have seen a surge in research into the night. We argue that “night studies” is on the cusp of coming into its own as an interdisciplinary field, and that when it does, the field will consider questions that disciplinary researchers have not yet thought to ask

Who are these youths? Language in the service of policy

In the 1990s policy relating to children and young people who offend developed as a result of the interplay of political imperatives and populist demands. The ‘responsibilisation’ of young offenders and the ‘no excuses’ culture of youth justice have been ‘marketed’ through a discourse which evidences linguistic changes. This article focuses on one particular area of policy change, that relating to the prosecutorial decision, to show how particular images of children were both reflected and constructed through a changing selection of words to describe the non-adult suspect and offender. In such minutiae of discourse can be found not only the signifiers of public attitudinal and policy change but also the means by which undesirable policy developments can be challenged

Aspects of the chemistry of some highly crowded aromatic ligands

A series of ortho-substituted arylchlorophosphoranes has been prepared. The structures of these compounds have been studied by the use of (^31)Cl n.q.r. and solid-state (^31)P n.m.r. . It has been shown that ortho substitution by groups such as CH(_3) or CF(_3) in phosphoranes of the type P(Ar)Cl4 prevents complexation with Lewis bases, and this is also found to be the case for the derived phosphoniumions [P(Ar)Cl(_3)](^+). The bis(aryl)chlorophosphoranes with these bulky aryl groups (where it is possible for them to be formed) are found to have ionic phosphonium salt structures, regardless of the electronic properties of the aryl group. In some cases, where the aryl groups are too bulky and too electronegative, P-C bond cleavage takes place on chlorination of the bis(aryl)chlorophosphine, and the most bulky group is lost. The phosphoranes PRCl(_4) (where R = CH(_2)Cl or CHCl(_2)) were also prepared. For R = CH(_2)Cl, the solid phosphorane was found to have the ionic, [PRCl(_3)] [PRCl(_5)], structure. This is the first example of an organo-substituted chlorophosphorane to be shown to have the "phosphorus pentachloride structure” in the solid state. By contrast, P(CHCl(_2))Cl(_4) was shown by solid-state (^31)P n.m.r. to be a molecular, 5-coordinate species. The generation of phosphoranides of the type [P(Ar)(CN)(_2)X](^-), with ortho- substituted aryl substituents, has also been investigated. From (^31)P n.m.r. it has been shown that the 2-(methyl)phenyl group can be incorporated into such systems. Various aryl- and aryloxy-1,3,2-dioxaphospholanes were prepared, with the aim of generating metaphosphate species via ethylene elimination. Data from mass spectrometry and from flow pyrolysis suggest that transient metaphosphates of the type ArPO(_2) can be formed in this manner. Results would also indicate that where Ar = 2,6-(CF(_3))(_2)C(_6)H(_3) the respective metaphosphate undergoes a rearrangement via insertion into the ortho-CF(_3) group. It has been shown that the symmetrical diphosphene ArP=PAr (where Ar - 2,4,6-(CF(_3))(_3)C(_6)H(_2)) can be formed by magnesium couphng of the aryldichloro- phosphine. However, attempts to form asymmetrical diphosphines and other low- coordinate phosphorus species by DBU coupling of P(2,6-(CF(_3))(_2)C(_6)H(_3))H(_2) with the respective chloro species were unsuccessful, due to preferred formation of Ar(H)P- P(H)Ar or ArP=PAr. The 2,4,6-(CF(_3))(_3)C(_6)H(_2) group was successfully incorporated into various dia- zophosphine systems. Of particular note was the characterization of the first ever P(III)-P(III) stabilized nit rile imine. By varying the aryl groups on phosphorus in such systems (C(_6)H(_5), C(_6)F(_5) or 2,4,6-(CF(_3))(_3)C(_6)H(_2)) it was possible to obtain further insights into the requirements for the stabilization of nitrile imines, and various trapping reaction were also performed

Ground Beef Inspections and E. Coli O157:H7: Placing the Needs of the American Beef Industry Above Concerns for the Public Safety

Millions of Americans suffer from foodborne illnesses each year. While mild cases often get shrugged off after spending a night in the bathroom, a small number of people suffer drastic consequences for liking their burgers medium rare. Consumers take for granted, and are reassured by, the presence of a “USDA inspected” sticker on their meat products. Part I of this Note reviews the history of federal regulation of the beef industry, discusses the particular dangers of Escherichia coli 0157:57 (“E. coli O157:H7”) as a foodborne pathogen, outlines the inspection systems implemented in response to outbreaks of E. coli O157:H7 outbreaks, and explains current recall practices for potentially contaminated products. Part II analyzes the shortcomings of the current regulatory framework for ground beef inspections and the ability of the beef industry to “pass the buck” when contaminated beef products make their way out to the public. Part III proposes legislation that would grant the government the ability to mandate recalls of contaminated products and to fine those companies who do not properly inspect their products or maintain sanitary processing facilities

Mindfulness And Its Impact On Leader-Employee Relations In Higher Education Social Work Departments

This sequential, fixed, mixed-methods study explores how mindfulness practice by leaders in higher education social work programs influences the leader-employee relationship among a sample of higher education social work department leaders and their faculty. This study was developed out of the intersection of personal, professional, and academic interests in both mindfulness and leadership. Additionally, this study fills a gap in the existing literature on how leaders’ individual mindfulness practice influences the relationship between them and their employees (Reb et al., 2019; Rooney et al., 2021; Urrila, 2021). The results of this study were that the sample of social work higher education leaders reported an average Mindfulness and Attention Awareness Scale score of 4.16 (out of 6) which indicates a higher than mid-range trait mindfulness but lower than the normative average of 4.2 (Brown & Ryan, 2003). Faculty averaged 5. The results of this study were that the sample of social work higher education leaders reported an average Mindfulness and Attention Awareness Scale score of 4.16 (out of 6) which indicates a higher than mid-range trait mindfulness but lower than the normative average of 4.2 (Brown & Ryan, 2003). Faculty averaged 5.24 (out of 7)on the Multidimensionality of Leader Member Exchange scale (Liden & Maslyn, 1998), which indicates that social work faculty have a higher than mid-range relationships with their leaders. In a comparative analysis, it does indicate that there is a positive correlation between a leader’s overall trait mindfulness and how employees rate that relationship. Additionally, the qualitative elements showed that leaders who practiced mindfulness felt that they developed more self awareness which allowed them to better be able to build relationships with employees, and that employees found that communication, workplace culture, support, positionality, and the type of leader are crucial elements in developing their relationships with their employees. One groupset showed that a leader’s routine practice could positively impact the leader-faculty relationship. This study’s findings do indicate that leader mindfulness does positively impact the leader-member relationship, and that routine practice could enhance the relationship even further. These outcomes can be used to support higher education institutions adding mindfulness elements into their leader trainings and development, and encourage leaders to cultivate mindfulness on their own

GaInNAs-based Hellish-vertical cavity semiconductor optical amplifier for 1.3 μm operation

Hot electron light emission and lasing in semiconductor heterostructure (Hellish) devices are surface emitters the operation of which is based on the longitudinal injection of electrons and holes in the active region. These devices can be designed to be used as vertical cavity surface emitting laser or, as in this study, as a vertical cavity semiconductor optical amplifier (VCSOA). This study investigates the prospects for a Hellish VCSOA based on GaInNAs/GaAs material for operation in the 1.3-μm wavelength range. Hellish VCSOAs have increased functionality, and use undoped distributed Bragg reflectors; and this coupled with direct injection into the active region is expected to yield improvements in the gain and bandwidth. The design of the Hellish VCSOA is based on the transfer matrix method and the optical field distribution within the structure, where the determination of the position of quantum wells is crucial. A full assessment of Hellish VCSOAs has been performed in a device with eleven layers of Ga0.35In0.65N0.02As0.08/GaAs quantum wells (QWs) in the active region. It was characterised through I-V, L-V and by spectral photoluminescence, electroluminescence and electro-photoluminescence as a function of temperature and applied bias. Cavity resonance and gain peak curves have been calculated at different temperatures. Good agreement between experimental and theoretical results has been obtained

New Labour's communitarianisms

This article argues that communitarianism can be analysed on different levels — sociological, ethical and meta—ethical — and along different dimensions — conformist/pluralist, more conditional/less conditional, progressive/conservative, prescriptive/voluntary, moral/socioeconomic and individual/corporate. We argue that New Labour's communitarianism is a response to both neo-liberalism and old social democracy. It is sociological, ethical and universalist rather than particularist on the meta-ethical level. Labour increasingly favours conditional, morally prescriptive, conservative and individual communitarianisms. This is at the expense of less conditional and redistributional socioeconomic, progressive and corporate communitarianisms. It is torn between conformist and pluralist versions of communitarianism. This bias is part of a wider shift in Labour thinking from social democracy to a liberal conservatism which celebrates the dynamic market economy and is socially conservative