Cadillo is an invasive species in Florida pastures and natural areas. Despite its invasiveness, relatively few studies have evaluated cadillo management. Thus, the objective of this research was to determine effective POST herbicides for cadillo control in Florida. Greenhouse and field studies were conducted at the Range Cattle Research and Education Center near Ona, FL, in 2015 and 2016. In the greenhouse study, triclopyr-ester, aminopyralid, metsulfuron, 2,4-D amine, aminopyralid+metsulfuron, aminocyclopyrachlor+metsulfuron, and imazapyr+aminocyclopyrachlor+metsulfuron provided ≥80% control of cadillo 28 d after treatment (DAT). Aminocyclopyrachlor at 17 and 35 g ha–1 were the only treatments with <80% control, with 70% and 75% control, respectively. Similar results were reflected in cadillo dry biomass reduction. The herbicide treatments used in the field study were triclopyr-ester, aminopyralid, 2,4-D amine, aminocyclopyrachlor, and triclopyr+fluroxypyr. Most treatments provided excellent control in the field (≥90% control) 30 DAT, and by 60 DAT all treatments provided 100% control. Results from these studies suggest that cadillo is susceptible to many of the common POST herbicides utilized in pastures and natural areas in Florida.

Excitable temperament disrupts physiological events required for reproductive development in cattle, but no research has investigated the impacts of temperament on growth and puberty attainment in Bos indicus females. Hence, this experiment evaluated the effects of temperament on growth, plasma cortisol concentrations and puberty attainment in B. indicus heifers. A total of 170 Nelore heifers, weaned 4 months before the beginning of this experiment (days 0 to 91), were managed in two groups of 82 and 88 heifers each (mean ± SE; initial BW=238±2 kg, initial age=369±1 days across groups). Heifer temperament was evaluated via exit velocity on day 0. Individual exit score was calculated within each group by dividing exit velocity into quintiles and assigning heifers with a score from 1 to 5 (1=slowest; 5=fastest heifer). Heifers were classified according to exit score as adequate (ADQ, n=96; exit score⩽3) or excitable temperament (EXC, n=74; exit score>3). Heifer BW, body condition score (BCS) and blood samples were obtained on days 0, 31, 60 and 91. Heifer exit velocity and score were recorded again on days 31, 60 and 91. Ovarian transrectal ultrasonography was performed on days 0 and 10, 31 and 41, 60 and 70, 81 and 91 for puberty evaluation. Heifer was declared pubertal at the first 10-day interval in which a corpus luteum was detected. Exit velocity and exit score obtained on day 0 were correlated (r⩾0.64, P<0.01) with evaluations on days 31, 60 and 91. During the experiment, ADQ had greater (P<0.01) mean BCS and BW gain, and less (P<0.01) mean plasma cortisol concentration compared with EXC heifers. Temperament × time interactions were detected (P<0.01) for exit velocity and exit score, which were always greater (P<0.01) in EXC v. ADQ heifers. A temperament × time interaction was also detected (P=0.03) for puberty attainment, which was delayed in EXC v. ADQ heifers. At the end of the experiment, a greater (P<0.01) proportion of ADQ were pubertal compared with EXC heifers. In summary, B. indicus heifers classified as EXC had reduced growth, increased plasma cortisol concentrations and hindered puberty attainment compared to ADQ heifers. Moreover, exit velocity may serve as temperament selection criteria to optimize development of B. indicus replacement heifers.

Layered double hydroxide (LDH) compounds are characterized by structures in which layers with a brucite-like structure carry a net positive charge, usually due to the partial substitution of trivalent octahedrally coordinated cations for divalent cations, giving a general layer formula [(M 1–x 2+ M 3+ x )(OH)2] x+. This positive charge is balanced by anions which are intercalated between the layers. Intercalated molecular water typically provides hydrogen bonding between the brucite layers. In addition to synthetic compounds, some of which have significant industrial applications, more than 40 mineral species conform to this description. Hydrotalcite, Mg6Al2(OH)16[CO3]·4H2O, as the longest-known example, is the archetype of this supergroup of minerals. We review the history, chemistry, crystal structure, polytypic variation and status of all hydrotalcite-supergroup species reported to date. The dominant divalent cations, M 2+, that have been reported in hydrotalcite supergroup minerals are Mg, Ca, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu and Zn; the dominant trivalent cations, M 3+, are Al, Mn, Fe, Co and Ni. The most common intercalated anions are (CO3)2–, (SO4)2– and Cl–; and OH–, S2– and [Sb(OH)6]– have also been reported. Some species contain intercalated cationic or neutral complexes such as [Na(H2O)6]+ or [MgSO4]0. We define eight groups within the supergroup on the basis of a combination of criteria. These are (1) the hydrotalcite group, with M 2+:M 3+ = 3:1 (layer spacing ∼7.8 Å); (2) the quintinite group, with M 2+:M 3+ = 2:1 (layer spacing ∼7.8 Å); (3) the fougèrite group, with M 2+ = Fe2+, M 3+ = Fe3+ in a range of ratios, and with O2– replacing OH– in the brucite module to maintain charge balance (layer spacing ∼7.8 Å); (4) the woodwardite group, with variable M 2+:M 3+ and interlayer [SO4]2 –, leading to an expanded layer spacing of ∼8.9 Å; (5) the cualstibite group, with interlayer [Sb(OH)6]– and a layer spacing of ∼9.7 Å; (6) the glaucocerinite group, with interlayer [SO4]2– as in the woodwardite group, and with additional interlayer H2O molecules that further expand the layer spacing to ∼11 Å; (7) the wermlandite group, with a layer spacing of ∼11 Å, in which cationic complexes occur with anions between the brucite-like layers; and (8) the hydrocalumite group, with M 2+ = Ca2+ and M 3+ = Al, which contains brucite-like layers in which the Ca:Al ratio is 2:1 and the large cation, Ca2+, is coordinated to a seventh ligand of 'interlayer' water.

The principal mineral status changes are as follows. (1) The names manasseite, sjögrenite and barbertonite are discredited; these minerals are the 2H polytypes of hydrotalcite, pyroaurite and stichtite, respectively. Cyanophyllite is discredited as it is the 1M polytype of cualstibite. (2) The mineral formerly described as fougèrite has been found to be an intimate intergrowth of two phases with distinct Fe2+:Fe3+ ratios. The phase with Fe2+:Fe3+ = 2:1 retains the name fougèrite; that with Fe2+:Fe3+ = 1:2 is defined as the new species trébeurdenite. (3) The new minerals omsite (IMA2012-025), Ni2Fe3+(OH)6[Sb(OH)6], and mössbauerite (IMA2012-049), Fe3+6O4(OH)8[CO3]·3H2O, which are both in the hydrotalcite supergroup are included in the discussion. (4) Jamborite, carrboydite, zincaluminite, motukoreaite, natroglaucocerinite, brugnatellite and muskoxite are identified as questionable species which need further investigation in order to verify their structure and composition. (5) The ranges of compositions currently ascribed to motukoreaite and muskoxite may each represent more than one species. The same applies to the approved species hydrowoodwardite and hydrocalumite. (6) Several unnamed minerals have been reported which are likely to represent additional species within the supergroup.

This report has been approved by the Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification (CNMNC) of the International Mineralogical Association, voting proposal 12-B.

We also propose a compact notation for identifying synthetic LDH phases, for use by chemists as a preferred alternative to the current widespread misuse of mineral names.

We present an overview of the latest results from the PdBI Arcsecond Whirlpool Survey (PAWS, PI: E. Schinnerer), which has mapped CO(1-0) emission in the nearby grand-design spiral galaxy M51 at 40pc resolution. Our data are sensitive to GMCs above 105 M⊙, allowing the construction of the largest GMC catalog to date – containing over 1500 objects – using the CPROPS algorithm (Rosolowsky & Leroy 2006). In the inner disk of M51, the properties of the CO emission show significant variation that can be linked to the dynamical environment in which the molecular gas is located. We find that dynamically distinct regions host clouds with different properties and exhibit different GMC mass spectra, as well as distinct patterns of star formation. To understand how this sensitivity to environment emerges, we consider the role of pressure on GMC stabilization (including shear and star formation feedback-driven turbulence). We suggest that, in the presence of significant external pressure, streaming motions driven by the spiral arm can act to reduce the surface pressure on clouds. The resulting stabilization impacts the global pattern of star formation and can account for the observed non-monotonic radial dependence of the gas depletion time. Our findings have implications for the observed scatter in the standard GMC relations and extragalactic star formation laws.

A multi-step project has been developed by eni r&m to define a TENORM (Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material) management system in refinery plants, compliant with Italian regulations and international guidelines.

The project involves a preliminary survey on refineries to detect, on the basis of the production process, the sections at risk of TENORM accumulation; this analysis is followed by the consequent formation/information to the workers, dose assessment for workers and the public, introduction of radiometric characterization before release of potentially contaminated waste.

In a previous paper, we presented a general theoretical treatment of the effect of stress on defect diffusion in Si (M. S. Daw, W. Windl, N. N. Carlson, M. Laudon, and M. P. Masquelier, to be published in Phys. Rev. B). In this paper, we discuss the calculation of the parameters governing the stress dependence of the diffusivity, which are volume quantities, and present the fully anisotropic volume tensor for vacancy formation in Si.

We present calculated values of effective masses, bandgap reduction, and Fermi energy of p-doped Si and strained p-doped SiGe layers. The calculations have been made for Ge concentrations in the range 0 to 30% and boron concentration in the range 1018 cm−3 to 3×1020 cm−3. Empirical expressions for the effective masses are given. These expressions and calculated values of the other parameters are convenient for use in computer codes for modeling device processing and performance. To validate the calculated values, we have compared them with the available experimental results. Good agreement between the calculated and the experimental values is found.

The current experimental and theoretical knowledge of new polaronic-type excitons in ferroelectric oxides – charge transfer vibronic excitons (CTVE) – is discussed. It is shown that Hartree-Fock-type INDO calculations as well as photoluminescence studies in ferroelectric oxygen-octahedral perovskites confirm the CTVE-concept. Single CTVE as well as a new phase of strongly correlated CTVEs are analysed.

A new solid-state embedding approach has been developed which focuses on modelling the surfaces of polar materials. The method is applied to investigate the chemisorption of pre- methanol species on the polar (000-1) surface of zincite (a major phase of zinc oxide having the wurtzite structure). Initial results include the geometries of active sites and adsorbates in different charge states.

Nacre is a segmented layered composite containing both nanoscale-thick organic and sub- micrometer thick scale inorganic phases. In addition to controlling the formation of the intricate architecture, the organic plays a significant role in the mechanical properties of the biocomposite. In our previous work, three dimensional finite element models of nacre were constructed to design “brick and mortar” micro-architecture to study effects of nonlinear response of the organic component. Recently, nanomechanical properties such as hardness and elastic moduli of the individual components of nacre have been determined using nanoindentation techniques. In this work, we used these actual properties of the components to perform mesoscale finite element models to quantitatively evaluate nanoscale effects. Specifically, we studied the effect of the solid contacts between the platelets through the organic layer on bulk properties under tensile and compressive loading. In the new 3D finite element model, we also incorporated the pseudo-hexagonal platelet morphology to more accurately represent the nacre microstructure. The multiscale approach in our study involves incorporation of experimentally obtained nanoscale parameters into meso-macroscale numerical models. Our simulations imply that mineral contacts in the aragonitic platelets have marginal impact both on bulk elastic behavior of nacre and yielding. Stress concentration in contact regions were high enough for the contacts to break long before yield started in nacre. These results have important implications in the design of biomimetic segmented-layered composites for improved mechanical properties.

We present a method to calculate impact ionization and Auger recombination rates within density functional theory and a screened-exchange approach and implement it in the all- electron FLAPW method. We investigate the dependence of the overlap matrix elements as a function of the states involved along the main symmetry lines of the Brillouin zone. Our results for the final impact ionization rates along the main symmetry lines of the Brillouin zone. Our results for the final impact ionization rates along τ — X and τ —L directions for GaAs show a strong anisotropy imposed by energy and momentum conservation and related to the use of a realistic and accurate sX-LDA band structure.

Hf and Zr incorporation from thermally annealed high-κ gate dielectric thin films (4-5 nm) candidates HfSixOy and ZrSixOy into Si are presented. The dielectric films were subjected either to rapid thermal annealing (RTA) or standard furnace annealing in an N2 atmosphere. After annealing, the films were removed by chemical etching prior to depth profiling using both time of flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy (ToF-SIMS), and Heavy Ion Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (HI-RBS) combined with UV-ozone oxidation/etching cycles. As-deposited and annealed films were studied using monochromatic X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), and high resolution TEM. A Zr incorporation depth after annealing of up to 20 nm into the Si substrate was observed. Depth profiling shows that, although most of the remnant Zr after annealing/etching is located at or near the surface of the Si substrate, incorporation into the substrate is also present. No significant Hf diffusion into Si was observed for either RTP or furnace-annealed films

In this work the possibility of enhancing the critical current density in proton implanted surface layers on YBCO bulk is discussed. A complete transport characterization shows that, for what concerns two samples from different irradiation runs, the critical current density has been enhanced. Increases of other meaningful parameters, such as average pinning energy and vortex-antivortex coupling strength, have also been found, although the relative effect of the implanted layer on the whole specimen cannot be evaluated in a fully quantitative way.

This paper investigates both transport properties and nature of superconductivity breakdown or, conversely, enhancement in oxide ceramics, due to radiation-induced defects.

Low-fluence neutrons (≈107 n cm-2 at 3 MeV) can sensitively damage the samples, giving experimental evidence that the breakdown of coherent percolating paths produces decoupled domains. A set of preliminary measurements shows that high-fluence proton implantation can either damage or enhance critical current density in a currently non controllable way. In both cases strongly damaged or enhanced superconducting paths short-circuit the unaffected bulk network.

Copper and aluminum are extensively used in various parts of the Electromagnetic (EM) Gun systems. Copper is used in the design of the railgun because it has favorable electrical and thermal properties. Aluminum is used for armature and sabot fabrication because of it is light weight and has favorable thermal properties. Extensive degradation of the copper rail and aluminum armature occurs owing to the severe heating and thermomechanical deformation of these components during operation of the EM gun. In this research effort, several modification techniques were used to protect the rail and armature materials from these degradation processes. These include application of Plasma Source Ion Implantation (PSII) and Ion Beam Enhanced Deposition (IBED) . By using these techniques, the copper rails and aluminum armatures were coated with TiN and TaN. Several characterization techniques were used to assess the chemical,mechanical and other properties of these modified surfaces. Optical Microscopy, Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopy, and Scanning Auger Spectroscopy techniques were also used. Microhardness measurements have also been performed. From the results of this preliminary investigation, it has been concluded that the surface properties of the coated rail and armature materials have been improved and the extent of wear and spark erosion from these surfaces has been reduced.

We present an investigation on the amorphization process of crystalline silicon induced by ion beam bombardment by simulating the insertion of self-interstitials at different temperatures. The simulation is carried out by tight-binding molecular dynamics which allows for a detailed characterization of the chemical bonding and electronic properties of the irradiated samples. The irradiation process consists of two steps: (i) insertion of defects at a constant rate; (ii) annealing of the sample and observation of its structural properties. Thanks to the large size of the simulation cell (up to 276 atoms) we can characterize the amorphous network both on the short-range and medium-range length scale. Electronic properties are investigated as well and their evolution is monitored during the insertion process. Finally, we present a thorough comparison of the structural properties of the irradiated sample with amorphous silicon as obtained by rapid quench from the melt.

A structural tranfsormation of C60 crystals has been induced by high fluence laser irradiation under various chemical environments. The role of oxygen in driving fullerene cage opening reactions is investigated. The resulting material, showing features typical of low density amorphous carbon, has been characterized by Raman spectroscopy. In order to provide an atomistic model of the damaged sample, we have simulated the irradiation process by a tight binding molecular dynamics calculation on a 240-atoms system. We have carefully investigated the structural and electronic properties. In particular, the short- and medium-range features have been related to the cage opening, which is here modeled as a sequence of bond breakings.

We critically readdress the problem of vacancy clustering in silicon by perform large-scale tight-binding molecular dynamics simulations. We also compare the results of this quantum-mechanical approach to the widely used model-potential molecular dynamics scheme based on the Tersoff and Stillinger-Weber interatomic potentials.