Electronic Structure and Valence Band Spectra of Bi4Ti3O12

The x-ray photoelectron valence band spectrum and x-ray emission valence-band spectra (Ti K _beta_5, Ti L_alpha, O K_alpha) of Bi4Ti3O12 are presented (analyzed in the common energy scale) and interpreted on the basis of a band-structure calculation for an idealized I4/mmm structure of this material.Comment: 6 pages + 7 PostScript figures, RevTex3.0, to be published in Phys.Rev.B52 (Oct.95). Figures also available via anonymous ftp at ftp://ftp.physik.uni-osnabrueck.de/pub/apostnik/BiTiO

Cumulant approach to weakly doped antiferromagnets

We present a new approach to static and dynamical properties of holes and spins in weakly doped antiferromagnets in two dimensions. The calculations are based on a recently introduced cumulant approach to ground--state properties of correlated electronic systems. The present method allows to evaluate hole and spin--wave dispersion relations by considering hole or spin excitations of the ground state. Usually, these dispersions are found from time--dependent correlation functions. To demonstrate the ability of the approach we first derive the dispersion relation for the lowest single hole excitation at half--filling. However, the main purpose of this paper is to focus on the mutual influence of mobile holes and spin waves in the weakly doped system. It is shown that low-energy spin excitations strongly admix to the ground--state. The coupling of spin waves and holes leads to a strong suppression of the staggered magnetization which can not be explained by a simple rigid--band picture for the hole quasiparticles. Also the experimentally observed doping dependence of the spin--wave excitation energies can be understood within our formalism.Comment: REVTEX, 25 pages, 7 figures (EPS), to be published in Phys. Rev.

A bird’s eye view over ecosystem services in Natura 2000 sites across Europe

Recent ‘New Conservation’ approaches called for more ecosystem services (ES) emphasis in conservation. We analysed data from 3757 Natura 2000 special protection areas (SPAs) and translated positive and negative impacts listed by conservation managers into indicators of the use of nine provisioning, regulating and cultural ES. Overall, the use of ES is considered by SPA managers to affect conservation goals more negatively than positively. ES associated with livestock keeping and fodder production are recorded as having the highest fraction of positive impacts on SPAs, ranging from 88% and 78% in the Boreal biogeographic region to 20% and 6% in the Mediterranean. The use of ES varied according to dominant habitat class, highlighting the dependence of specific ES on associated ecosystem functions. For instance, fibre production was the predominant ES throughout forest habitats while crop, fodder and livestock exhibit similar patterns of dominance across agricultural landscapes. In contrast, the use of wild food and recreation activities are seen as causing mainly negative effects across all habitats. Our analysis suggests that most uses of ES result in negative effects on conservation goals. These outcomes should be considered when implementing future conservation strategies

Thermal conductivity of high- T c superconductors

This paper reviews existing data on the thermal conductivity of high- T c superconductors. Included are discussions of pristine polycrystalline high- T c ceramics, single crystal specimens, and high- T c materials structurally modified by substitution or by radiation damage. The thermal conductivity of high- T c superconductors is compared with that of conventional superconductors, and dramatic differences are found between the two families. Mechanisms of thermal conductivity applicable to high- T c perovskites are discussed and implications for theories of high- T c superconductivity are noted.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/45121/1/10948_2004_Article_BF00617463.pd