Visual observation to identify sexes in subspecies of adult Black Skimmers (Rynchops niger)

Identifying sexes in birds from visual observations could be a useful and inexpensive method. While sexual dichromatism and ornaments are readily used by observers, sexual size dimorphism can also be used to identify sexes in some bird species. This study assessed the applicability of visual observation of size differences to identify sexes in adult Black Skimmers (Rynchops niger). Black Skimmers do not have sexual dichromatism; however, Black Skimmer males are skeletally larger (6.7–31.7% depending on trait) and 33.3–37.5% heavier than females. The study focused on two subspecies: Amazonian (R. n. cinerascens) and South American (R. n. intercedens) Black Skimmers. Sex identified by visually observing size differences was consistent with the sex identified at specimen preparation from examining gonads (RGLMM = 0.996 ± 0.004). The identification of sexes from photographs using visual observation of size had a very high within- (RGLMM = 0.995 ± 0.001) and between- (RGLMM = 0.984 ± 0.002) observer repeatability. Non-invasive methods for identifying sex by visual observation may allow enhanced use of data from photographic datasets, citizen science projects, and surveys using direct observation or images

Using field photography to study avian moult

Methods to obtain moult data from wild birds have not changed much over the last century and most studies still depend on checking museum specimens or capturing birds. Here we assess the applicability of systematic field photography for detecting and scoring moult in adult Black Skimmers Rynchops niger from southern Brazil. Moult data extracted from photographs have a high within- (RGLMM = 0.98) and between-observer repeatability (RGLMM = 0.97) and show very good fit to current Underhill–Zucchini moult models (R2 = 0.75). Photography offers the advantages of being less invasive, requiring less equipment and human effort, being feasible in areas where captures may not be possible, and causing less disturbance, so enhancing the number of sampled individuals

F-14 VSTFE and results of the cleanup flight test program

Flight transition data applicable to swept wings at high subsonic speeds are needed to make valid assessments of the potential for natural laminar flow or laminar flow control for transports of various sizes at various cruise speeds. NASA initiated the variable sweep transition flight experiment (VSTFE) to help establish a boundary layer transition data base for use in laminar flow wing design. The carrier vehicle for this experiment is an F-14, which has variable sweep capability. The variable sweep outer panels of the F-14 were modified with natural laminar flow gloves to provide not only smooth surfaces but also airfoils that can produce a wide range of pressure distributions for which transition location can be determined. The VSTFE program is briefly described and some preliminary glove I flight results are presented

BUDHIES I: characterizing the environments in and around two clusters at z~0.2

We present the optical spectroscopy for the Blind Ultra Deep HI Environmental Survey (BUDHIES). With the Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope, BUDHIES has detected HI in over 150 galaxies in and around two Abell clusters at z~0.2. With the aim of characterizing the environments of the HI-detected galaxies, we obtained multi-fiber spectroscopy with the William Herschel Telescope. In this paper, we describe the spectroscopic observations, report redshifts and EW[OII] measurements for ~600 galaxies, and perform an environmental analysis. In particular, we present cluster velocity dispersion measurements for 5 clusters and groups in the BUDHIES volume, as well as a detailed substructure analysis.Comment: v2: Typos and small corrections after proofs added. 14 pages (plus small appendix), 12 figures. Accepted for publication in MNRAS. Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to correctly display the (3D) animated figures (Fig. 9). Full data tables and supporting videos are also available at the BUDHIES project website: http://www.astro.rug.nl/budhies

Thermodynamically self-consistent liquid state theories for systems with bounded potentials

The mean spherical approximation (MSA) can be solved semi-analytically for the Gaussian core model (GCM) and yields - rather surprisingly - exactly the same expressions for the energy and the virial equations. Taking advantage of this semi-analytical framework, we apply the concept of the self-consistent Ornstein-Zernike approximation (SCOZA) to the GCM: a state-dependent function K is introduced in the MSA closure relation which is determined to enforce thermodynamic consistency between the compressibility route and either the virial or energy route. Utilizing standard thermodynamic relations this leads to two different differential equations for the function K that have to be solved numerically. Generalizing our concept we propose an integro-differential-equation based formulation of the SCOZA which, although requiring a fully numerical solution, has the advantage that it is no longer restricted to the availability of an analytic solution for a particular system. Rather it can be used for an arbitrary potential and even in combination with other closure relations, such as a modification of the hypernetted chain approximation.Comment: 11 pages, 11 figures, submitted to J. Chem. Phy

Transport of Mars-Crossing Asteroids from the Quasi-Hilda Region

We employ set oriented methods in combination with graph partitioning algorithms to identify key dynamical regions in the Sun-Jupiter-particle three-body system. Transport rates from a region near the 3:2 Hilda resonance into the realm of orbits crossing Mars' orbit are computed. In contrast to common numerical approaches, our technique does not depend on single long term simulations of the underlying model. Thus, our statistical results are particularly reliable since they are not affected by a dynamical behavior which is almost nonergodic (i.e., dominated by strongly almost invariant sets)

Linearized dynamics from the 4-simplex Regge action

We study the relation between the hessian matrix of the riemannian Reggae action on a 4-simplex and linearized quantum gravity. We give an explicit formula for the hessian as a function of the geometry, and show that it has a single zero mode. We then use a 3d lattice model to show that (i) the zero mode is a remnant of the continuum diffeomorphism invariance, and (ii) we recover the complete free graviton propagator in the continuum limit. The results help clarify the structure of the boundary state needed in the recent calculations of the graviton propagator in loop quantum gravity, and in particular its role in fixing the gauge.Comment: 16 (+9 Appendix) pages, 1 figur

Recent progresses on metal halide perovskite-based material as potential photocatalyst

Recent years have witnessed an incredibly high interest in perovskite-based materials. Among this class, metal halide perovskites (MHPs) have attracted a lot of attention due to their easy preparation and excellent opto-electronic properties, showing a remarkably fast development in a few decades, particularly in solar light-driven applications. The high extinction coefficients, the optimal band gaps, the high photoluminescence quantum yields and the long electron–hole diffusion lengths make MHPs promising candidates in several technologies. Currently, the researchers have been focusing their attention on MHPs-based solar cells, light-emitting diodes, photodetectors, lasers, X-ray detectors and luminescent solar concentrators. In our review, we firstly present a brief introduction on the recent discoveries and on the remarkable properties of metal halide perovskites, followed by a summary of some of their more traditional and representative applications. In particular, the core of this work was to examine the recent progresses of MHPs-based materials in photocatalytic applications. We summarize some recent developments of hybrid organic–inorganic and all-inorganic MHPs, recently used as photocatalysts for hydrogen evolution, carbon dioxide reduction, organic contaminant degradation and organic synthesis. Finally, the main limitations and the future potential of this new generation of materials have been discussed. © 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

Fibrations of genus two on complex surfaces

We consider fibrations of genus 2 over complex surfaces. The purpose of this paper is primarily to provide a geometric description of the possible structures of the fibration on a neighborhood of a singular fiber. In particular it is shown that the "geometric data" of the singular fiber determines the fibration on its neighborhood up to a transversely holomorphic $C^{\infty}$-diffeomorphism. The method employed is quite flexible and it applies to good extent to fibrations of arbitrary genus.Comment: This is the final version, June 201

Penegakan Hukum Pidana terhadap Kasus Penipuandalam Penerimaan Calon Pegawai Negeri Sipil oleh Polisi Resort Kota Pekanbaru

Being a civil servant is now considered gainful employment, considered a safe and promising work in the old days. Not infrequently candidate for Civil Servants (CPNS) doing anything in order to become civil servants, be it from legal and illegal lane. The situation is put to good use by the perpetrators of the crime of fraud to do with the mode of action capable of becoming civil servants passed ID. In this case relates to the enforcement of the criminal law in cases of fraud in the recruitment of civil servants by the Police Resort Pekanbaru. The purpose of this thesis, namely; First, the enforcement of the criminal law against fraud in receipt of Public Servants by police resort city of Pekanbaru, Second; obstacles encountered in the enforcement of the criminal law against fraud in receipt of Public Servants by police resort city of Pekanbaru, Third, efforts are being made to overcome the obstacles in the enforcement of the criminal law against fraud in receipt of Public Servants by police resort city of Pekanbaru. This type of research can be classified into types of socio-juridical research, because in this study the authors conducted research on the spot directly under study in order to give a complete and clear picture of the problem under study. This research was conducted at the Police Resort Pekanbaru, while the overall population and the sample is related to the issues examined in this study, the data sources used, the primary data, secondary data and data tertiary data collection techniques in this study with the observation, interview and literature. From the research, there are three main issues that can be inferred. First, the enforcement of the criminal law in cases of fraud in the recruitment of civil servants by police resort city of Pekanbaru, that the case against ID fraud in 2012 there were 1 to 2 ID fraud perpetrators victims in 2013 there were no reports of incoming and in 2013 there were two perpetrators of fraud ID with 8 casualties. Secondly, the obstacles encountered in the enforcement of the criminal law against fraud in the recruitment of civil servants by police resort Pekanbaru is the lack of evidence of the complainant, the lack of cooperation between the witnesses and the police forces, the lack of legal awareness, Third, efforts are being made to overcome the obstacles in criminal enforcement against fraud in the recruitment of civil servants by the Police Resort Pekanbaru further clarify the evidence of the complainant, the lack of cooperation from witnesses to the police, the public should be made aware of the importance of law enforcement and do not justify any means to qualify as civil servants. Suggestions author, first, it is expected that the police are more active in combating ID fraud is a criminal offense, Second, people are more aware of the importance of law enforcement, third, society does not justify any means to be able to escape into the PNS