Waratah theft in Brisbane Water National Park - an analysis of the blue paint poaching reduction program

The flowers of Waratahs, Telopea speciosissima (family Proteaceae) are regularly harvested illegally from natural bushland, particularly close to urban areas such as the New South Wales Central Coast. The removal of Waratah blooms from the wild may have implications for the long-term survival of local populations because of the interaction between wildfire events, subsequent flowering and limited seedling recruitment opportunities. To reduce the incidence of theft, blue acrylic paint was applied to blooms to reduce their commercial value. The painting of blooms in 2004 did not significantly reduce the incidence of wildflower theft when compared to unpainted blooms, but overall losses were lower (27%) than in 2003 (33%). However, painting of blooms had a deleterious affect on fruit production on plants with multiple heads with painted blooms having significantly reduced fruit set compared to unpainted blooms. Painting of blooms had no significant effect on seed quality (seed production per fruit, seed germination or seedling vigour) when compared to unpainted blooms. The painting of Waratah blooms to reduce theft was relatively ineffective and decreased fruit production. Alternative strategies should be considered to reduce wildflower theft in the area

Parasupersymmetric Quantum Mechanics of Order 3 and a Generalized Witten Index

In this paper we generalize the Rubakov-Spiridonov parasupersymmetry algebra to the order 3 case. We also generalize the notion of the Witten index, and we provide a class of models satisfying our parasupersymmetry algebra. Finally, we show that there is a correspondence between the Hamiltonian and the index in our class of models

Local Molecular Dynamics with Coulombic Interaction

We propose a local, O(N) molecular dynamics algorithm for the simulation of charged systems. The long ranged Coulomb potential is generated by a propagating electric field that obeys modified Maxwell equations. On coupling the electrodynamic equations to an external thermostat we show that the algorithm produces an effective Coulomb potential between particles. On annealing the electrodynamic degrees of freedom the field configuration converges to a solution of the Poisson equation much like the electronic degrees of freedom approach the ground state in ab-initio molecular dynamics.Comment: 4 pages with 3 figure

Are Panel Unit Root Tests Useful for Real-Time Data?

With the development of real-time databases, N vintages are available for T observations instead of a single realization of the time series process. Although the use of panel unit root tests with the aim to gain in efficiency seems obvious, empirical and simulation results shown in this paper heavily mitigate the intuitive perspective.macroeconomics ;

Motion plan changes predictably in dyadic reaching

Parents can effortlessly assist their child to walk, but the mechanism behind such physical coordination is still unknown. Studies have suggested that physical coordination is achieved by interacting humans who update their movement or motion plan in response to the partner's behaviour. Here, we tested rigidly coupled pairs in a joint reaching task to observe such changes in the partners' motion plans. However, the joint reaching movements were surprisingly consistent across different trials. A computational model that we developed demonstrated that the two partners had a distinct motion plan, which did not change with time. These results suggest that rigidly coupled pairs accomplish joint reaching movements by relying on a pre-programmed motion plan that is independent of the partner's behaviour

Enhancing temporal correlations in EOF expansions for the reconstruction of missing data using DINEOF

DINEOF (Data Interpolating Empirical Orthogonal Functions) is an EOF-based technique for the reconstruction of missing data in geophysical fields, such as those produced by clouds in sea surface temperature satellite images. A technique to reduce spurious time variability in DINEOF reconstructions is presented. The reconstruction of these images within a long time series using DINEOF can lead to large discontinuities in the reconstruction. Filtering the temporal covariance matrix allows to reduce this spurious variability and therefore more realistic reconstructions are obtained. The approach is tested in a three years sea surface temperature data set over the Black Sea. The effect of the filter in the temporal EOFs is presented, as well as some examples of the improvement achieved with the filtering in the SST reconstruction, both compared to the DINEOF approach without filtering

Exploring the electron density in plasmas induced by extreme ultraviolet radiation in argon

The new generation of lithography tools use high energy EUV radiation which ionizes the present background gas due to photoionization. To predict and understand the long term impact on the highly delicate mirrors It is essential to characterize these kinds of EUV-induced plasmas. We measured the electron density evolution in argon gas during and just after irradiation by a short pulse of EUV light at 13.5 nm by applying microwave cavity resonance spectroscopy. Dependencies on EUV pulse energy and gas pressure have been explored over a range relevant for industrial applications. Our experimental results show that the maximum reached electron density depends linearly on pulse energy. A quadratic dependence - caused by photoionization and subsequent electron impact ionization by free electrons - is found from experiments where the gas pressure is varied. This is demonstrated by our theoretical estimates presented in this manuscript as well.Comment: submitted to J. Phys. D. 16 pages, 8 figure

A Statistical Analysis of the SOT-Hinode Observations of Solar Spicules and their Wave-like Behavior

We consider a first important parameter of spicules as observed above the solar visible limb: their apparent diameter as a function of the height above the limb which determines their aspect ratio and leads to the discussion of their magnetic origin using the flux tube approximation. We found that indeed spicules show a whole range of diameters, including unresolved "interacting spicules" (I-S), depending of the definition chosen to characterize this ubiquitous dynamical phenomenon occurring into a low coronal surrounding. 1-D Fourier amplitude spectra (AS) made at different heights above the limb are shown for the first time. A definite signature in the 0.18 to 0.25 Mm range exists, corresponding to the occurrence of the newly discovered type II spicules and, even more impressively, large Fourier amplitudes are observed in the 0.3 to the 1.2 Mm range of diameters and spacing, in rough agreement with what historical works were reporting. Additionally, some statistically significant behavior, based on AS computed for different heights above the limb, is discussed. "Time slice or x-t diagrams" revealing the dynamical behavior of spicules are also analyzed. They show that most of spicules have multiple structures (similarly to the doublet spicules) and they show impressive transverse periodic fluctuations which were interpreted as upward kink or Alfven waves. Evidence of the helical motion in spicules is now well evidenced, the typical periods of the apparent oscillation being around 120 sec. A fine analysis of the time-slice diagram as a function of the effective heights shows an interesting new feature near the 2 Mm height. We speculate on the interpretation of this feature as being a result of the dynamical specificities of the spicule helical motion as seen in these unprecedented high resolution HCaII line emission time series.Comment: 21 pages, 8 figurs, 1 tabl