Structure- and composition-dependent electron field emission from nitrogenated carbon nanotips

The electron field emission (EFE) properties of nitrogenated carbon nanotips (NCNTPs) were studied under high-vacuum conditions. The NCNTPs were prepared in a plasma-assisted hot filament chemical vapor deposition system using CH4 and N2 as the carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively. The work functions of NCNTPs were measured using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The morphological and structural properties of NCNTPs were studied by field emission scanning electron microscopy, micro-Raman spectroscopy, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The field enhancement factors of NCNTPs were calculated using relevant EFE models based on the Fowler-Nordheim approximation. Analytical characterization and modeling results were used to establish the relations between the EFE properties of NCNTPs and their morphology, structure, and composition. It is shown that the EFE properties of NCNTPs can be enhanced by the reduction of oxygen termination on the surface as well as by increasing the ratio of the NCNTP height to the radius of curvature at its top. These results also suggest that a significant amount of electrons is emitted from other surface areas besides the NCNTP tops, contrary to the common belief. The outcomes of this study advance our knowledge on the electron emission properties of carbonnanomaterials and contribute to the development of the next-generation of advanced applications in the fields of micro- and opto-electronics.

Structure and composition related properties of titania thin films

The dependence of optical constants, structure and composition of titania thin films on the process parameters has been investigated. Films were deposited using both reactive electron beam evaporation and ion Assisted Deposition(IAD). If has been observed that the refractive index of IAD films is higher than that for the reactively deposited films, without much difference in the extinction coefficient. Electron paramagnetic resonance has been used to estimate qualitatively the presence of non-stoichiometry in the films. It has been found that these spectra correlate very well the optical behaviour of the films. X-ray diffraction studies revealed that the neutral oxygen deposited films were stress free, while the IAD films showed tensile stress. The lattice parameters showed anisotropic change with ion beam parameters.

Vegetation structure and composition of tropical evergreen and deciduous forests in Uttara Kannada District, Western Ghats under different disturbance regimes

In the present paper, we present the structure and composition of tropical evergreen and deciduous forests in the Western Ghats monitored under a long-term programme involving Indian Institute of Science, Earthwatch and volunteer investigators from HSBC. Currently, there is limited evidence on the status and dynamics of tropical forests in the context of human disturbance and climate change. Observations made in this study show that the `more disturbed' evergreen and one of the deciduous plots have low species diversity compared to the less-disturbed forests. There are also variations in the size class structure in the more and `less disturbed' forests of all the locations. The variation is particularly noticeable in the DBH size class 10 - 15 cm category. When biomass stock estimates are considered, there was no significant difference between evergreen and deciduous forests. The difference in biomass stocks between `less disturbed' and `more disturbed' forests within a forest type is also low. Thus, the biomass and carbon stock has not been impacted despite the dependence of communities on the forests. Periodic and long-term monitoring of the status and dynamics of the forests is necessary in the context of potential increased human pressure and climate change. There is, therefore, a need to inform the communities of the impact of extraction and its effect on regeneration so as to motivate them to adopt what may be termed as ``adaptive resource management'', so as to sustain the flow of forest products.

Synthesis of Cu-In-S ternary nanocrystals with tunable structure and composition

Nearly monodisperse Cu-In-S ternary nanocrystals with tunable composition, crystalline structure, and size were synthesized by a hot-injection method using mixed generic precursors. Such ternary nanocrystals with zincblende and wurtzite structure were reported for the first time.

Dependence of charge transfer energy on crystal structure and composition in Eu3+-doped compounds

We report a method for estimating the positions of charge transfer (CT) bands in Eu3+-doped complex crystals. The environmental factor ( he) influencing the CT energy is presented. he consists of four chemical bond parameters: the covalency, the bond volume polarization, the presented charge of the ligand in the chemical bond, and the coordination number of the central ion. These parameters are calculated with the dielectric theory of complex crystals. The relationship between the experimental CT energies and calculated environmental factors was established by an empirical formula. The calculated values are in good agreement with the experimental results. Such a relationship was confirmed by detailed analysis. In addition, our method is also useful to predict the charge-transfer position of any other rare earth ion.

Structure and composition of the stream ichthyofauna of four tributary rivers of the upper Rio Parana basin, Brazil

The ichthyofauna of 24 stretches of streams, all of 100 m length and of fifth or lower order and most of second and third order, were sampled along four left bank tributaries (Rio do Peixe, Rio Aguapei, Rio Sao Jose dos Dourados, lower Rio Tiete of the main channel of the Rio Parana in the state of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil. Sampling of the fish fauna at each of the six sites in the four basins incorporated a standardized fish collecting methodology and a standardized documentation of environmental data serving as the basis for a comparative analysis of the collecting locations. The 8,189 fish specimens collected represented six orders, 18 families, 42 genera, and 56 species, with a total biomass of 28.8 kg. Approximately 52% of the collected species were characiforms, 28% siluriforms, 9% gymnotiforms, 5% cyprinodontiforms, 4% perciforms, and 2% synbranchiforms. The most abundant of the species were the characiforms Astyanax altiparanae (15% of total) and Knodus moenkhausii (12% of total). The two species with the largest overall biomasses were A. altiparanae (34% of total biomass) and the siluriform Hypostomus sp. (8% of total biomass). Analysis of the trophic structure of the studied ichthyofauna indicated that the 10 numerically dominant species across the 24 sampled streams can be grouped into five guilds that are in decreasing order of numerical importance: omnivores, insectivores, insectivores/invertivores, periphytivores, and algivores. Species richness in the sampled stream stretches varied from six to 20 species with an average richness of 14. The species richness estimated by extrapolation for all 24 sampled stream stretches was 67 species. The Characidae are predominant among the collected specimens with approximately 50% of both individuals and biomass, a fact hypothesized to be a function of several attributes typical of the family. Six of the 56 collected species were new to science and six other species are of indefinite taxonomic status and require further analysis in order to determine their identity.

Developmental Changes in the Structure and Composition of the Postsynaptic Density

The development of the brain and its underlying circuitry is dependent on the formation of trillions of chemical synapses, which are highly specialized contacts that regulate the flow of information from one neuron to the next. It is through these synaptic connections that neurons wire together into networks capable of performing specific tasks, and activity-dependent changes in their structural and physiological state is one way that the brain is thought to adapt and store information. At the ultrastructural level, developmental and activity-dependent changes in the size and shape of dendritic spines have been well documented, and it is widely believed that structural changes in spines are a hallmark sign of synapse maturation and alteration of synaptic physiology. While changes in spine structure have been studied extensively, changes in one of its most prominent components, the postsynaptic density (PSD), have largely evaded observation. The PSD is a protein-rich organelle on the cytoplasmic side of the postsynaptic membrane, where it sits in direct opposition to the presynaptic terminal. The PSD functions both to cluster neurotransmitter receptors at the cell surface as well as organize the intracellular signaling molecules responsible for transducing extracellular signals to the postsynaptic cell. Much is known about the chemical composition of the PSD, but the structural arrangement of its molecular components is not well documented. Adding to the difficulty of understanding such a complex mass of protein machinery is the fact that its protein composition is known to change in response to synaptic activity, meaning that its structure is plastic and no two PSDs are identical. Here, immuno-gold labeling and electron tomography of PSDs isolated throughout development was used to track changes in both the structure and molecular composition of the PSD. State-of-the-art cryo-electron tomography was used to study the fine structure of the PSD during development, and provides an unprecedented glimpse into its molecular architecture in an un-fixed, unstained and hydrated state. Through this analysis, large structural and compositional changes are apparent and suggest a model by which the PSD is first assembled as a mesh-like lattice of proteins that function as support for the later recruitment of various PSD components. Spatial analysis of the recruitment of proteins into the PSD demonstrated that its assembly has an underlying order.

Forest structure and composition of previously selectively logged and non-logged montane forests at Mt. Kilimanjaro

The montane forests of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania have been subjected to a long history of selective logging. However, since 1984 logging of indigenous trees is prohibited. Today, these forests allow us to evaluate the long-term effects of selective logging. We mapped the height and diameter at breast height (DBH) of all trees >10 cm DBH on 10 sites of 0.25 ha. Five sites represent non-logged forests, another five selectively logged forests. We tested whether forests were still visibly affected 30–40 years after selective logging in terms of their forest structure and tree diversity. Additionally we compared tree densities of different species guilds, including disturbance-indicator species, late-successional species and main timber species. Furthermore, we specifically compared the community size distributions of selectively logged and non-logged forests, first across all species and then for the most important timber species, Ocotea usambarensis, alone. 30–40 years after selective logging forests still showed a higher overall stem density, mainly due to higher relative abundances of small trees (<50 cm DBH) in general, and higher densities of small size class stems of late-successional species specifically. For O. usambarensis, the selectively logged sites harboured higher relative abundances of small trees and lower relative abundances of harvestable trees. The higher relative abundance of small O. usambarensis-stems in selectively logged forests appears promising for future forest recovery. Thus, outside protected areas, selective logging may be a sustainable management option if logging cycles are considerably longer than 40 years, enough large source trees remain, and the recruiting O. usambarensis individuals find open space for their establishment.

Effects of fire on the structure and composition of open eucalypt forests

Fires are integral to the healthy functioning of most ecosystems and are often poorly understood in policy and management, however, the relationship between floristic composition and habitat structure is intrinsically linked, particularly after fire. The aim of this study was to test whether the variability of habitat structure or floristic composition and abundance in forests at a regional scale can be explained in terms of fire frequency using historical data and experimental prescribed burns. We tested this hypothesis in open eucalypt forests of Fraser Island off the east coast of Australia. Fraser Island dunes show progressive stages in plant succession as access to nutrients decreases across the Island. We found that fire frequency was not a good predictor of floristic composition or abundance across dune systems; rather, its affects were dune specific. In contrast, habitat structure was strongly influenced by fire frequency, independent of dune system. A dense understorey occurred in frequently burnt areas, whereas infrequently burnt areas had a more even distribution of plant heights. Plant communities returned to pre-burn levels of composition and abundances within 6 months of a fire and frequently burnt areas were dominated by early successional species of plant. These ecosystems were characterized by low diversity and frequently burnt areas on the east coast were dominated by Pteridium. Greater midstorey canopy cover in low frequency areas reduces light penetration and allows other species to compete more effectively with Pteridium. Our results strongly indicate that frequent fires on the Island have resulted in a decrease in relative diversity through dominance of several species. Prescribed fire represents a powerful management tool to shape habitat structure and complexity of Fraser Island forests.

Atmospheric corrosion of copper and the colour, structure and composition of natural patinas on copper

This paper describes the results of atmospheric corrosion testing and of an examination of patina samples from Brisbane, Denmark, Sweden, France, USA and Austria. The aim was threefold: (1) to determine the structure of natural patinas and to relate their structure to their appearance in service and to the atmospheric corrosion of copper; (2) to understand why a brown rust coloured layer forms on the surface of some copper patinas; (3) to understand why some patinas are still black in colour despite being of significant age. During the atmospheric corrosion of copper, a two-layer patina forms on the copper surface. Cuprite is the initial corrosion product and cuprite is always the patina layer in contact with the copper. The growth laws describing patina formation indicate that the decreasing corrosion rate with increasing exposure time is due to the protective nature of the cuprite layer. The green patinas were typically characterised by an outer layer of brochantite, which forms as individual crystals on the surface of the cuprite layer, probably by a precipitation reaction from an aqueous surface layer on the cuprite layer. Natural patinas come in a variety of colours. The colour is controlled by the amount of the patina and its chemical composition. Thin patinas containing predominantly cuprite were black. If the patina was sufficiently thick, and the [Fe]/[Cu] ratio was low, then the patina was green, whereas if the [Fe]/[Cu] ratio was approximately 10 at%, then the patina is rust brown in colour. The iron was in solid solution in the brochantite, which might be designated as a (copper/iron) hydroxysulphate. In the brown patinas examined, the iron was distributed predominately in the outermost part of the patina. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Monitoring of Tree Island Condition in the Southern Everglades: Hydrologic Driven Decadal Changes in Tree Island Woody Vegetation Structure and Composition: 2012 Annual Report

This report examines the interaction between hydrology and vegetation over a 10-year period, between 2001/02 and 2012 within six permanent tree island plots located on three tree islands, two plots each per tree island, established in 2001/02, along a hydrologic and productivity gradient. We hypothesize that: (H1) hydrologic differences within plots between census dates will result in marked differences in a) tree and sapling densities, b) tree basal area, and c) forest structure, i.e., canopy volume and height, and (H2) tree island growth, development, and succession is dependent on hydrologic fluxes, particularly during periods of prolonged droughts or below average hydroperiods.

The effect of age on the structure and compostition of the cell walls of Choanephora cucurbitarum

The effect of age on the structure and composition of isolated and purified cell walls from cultures of Choanephora cucurbitarum was investigated by microchemical analyses, visible and infrared spectrophotometry, x-ray diffractometry and electron microscopy. Qualitative evaluation revealed the presence of lipids, proteins, neutral sugars, strong alkali soluble sugars, chitin, chitosan and uronic acids in the cell walls of both the 1 and 7 day old cultures. As the mycelium aged, there was a slight but statistically significant increase in the protein content, and a pronounced rise in the chitin and neutral sugar constituents of the cell walls. Conversely, the decrease in the chitosan content during this period had the net effect of altering the chitin: chitosan ratio from near unity in the younger cultures, to a 2:1 ratio in the 7 day old cell wall samples. Glutaraldehyde-osmium fixed thin sections of the 1 day old vegetative hyphae of £. curbitarum revealed the presence of a monolayered cell wall, which upon aging became bilayered. Replicas of acid hydrolysed cell walls demonstrated that both the 1 and 7 day old samples possessed an outer layer which was composed of finely granular amorphous material and randomly distributed microfibrils. The deposition of an inner secondary layer composed of parallel oriented microfibrils in the older hypha was correlated with an increase in the chitin content in the cell wall. The significance of these results with respect to the intimate relationship between composition and structure is discussed.