Density and activity patterns of Pallas's cats, Otocolobus manul, in central Mongolia

Context. The ranges of many small, at-risk felid species occur almost entirely in unprotected areas, where research efforts are minimal; hence data on their density and activity patterns are scare.Aims. We estimated density and activity patterns of Pallas's cats on unprotected lands in central Mongolia during two periods (May-August and September-November) in 2019.Methods. We used spatially explicit capture-recapture models to estimate population density at 15.2 +/- 4.8 individuals per 100 km(2).Key results. We obtained 484 Pallas's cat images from 153 detections during 4266 camera-days. We identified Pallas's cats using pelage markings and identified 16 individuals from 64 detections. Pallas's cat activity was consistent between the two survey periods (similar to 0.50), with cats mainly active during crepuscular hours in the first period and strictly diurnal in the second.Conclusions. We provide the first estimation of a Pallas's cat population density using camera-trapping. Compared with other methods used, densities were high in our study area, which was likely to be due to a combination of highly suitable habitat and abundant prey. Seasonal shifts in the activity patterns of Pallas's cats indicated a likely adaptive response to reduced risk of depredation by raptors.Implications. We recommend August to November as the best time for camera-trapping surveys for Pallas's cats, given their high daily activity and the easiest interpretation of images used for individual identification collected during this time. We also suggest that future camera-trapping surveys of Pallas's cat be mindful of potential camera-trap avoidance through time

Spin-dependent resonant quantum tunneling between magnetic nanoparticles on a macroscopic length scale

International audienceMacroscopic quantum phenomena are common features observed in superconductors, superfluid helium, and Bose-Einstein condensates. However, most of quantum transport studies are based on a small number of dots and are not in long-range electron transport length scale. Here we show that spin-dependent resonant quantum tunneling is achieved in the macroscopic length scale (a few millimeters) corresponding to an array of up to 10(4) junctions in a series consisting of Co nanoparticles embedded in an oxygen-deficient TiO(2) matrix. This phenomenon is observed by magnetoresistance measurements at 5 K in a Coulomb blockade regime. We further present a model based on resonant spin-polarized quantum tunneling of electrons of Co particles. It occurs through resonant continuous spin-polarized defect band states located near the Fermi level of the defective TiO(2), which acts as a magnetic tunnel barrier. These results might be potentially useful for future designs of spintronic quantum devices

Experimental realization of TiO2 nanosponge/spin-coated P3HT heterojunction solar cells

CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQProduction and characterization of multilayered polymer solar cells consisting of P3HT thin films deposited on titanium dioxide nanosponges are reported. The photovoltaic response is remarkable, considering the simplicity of the thin film production method employed here. The nanostructured TiO2 anodic films were grown in buffered aqueous phosphoric acid solutions under potentiostatic regime at room temperature and then characterized using scanning electron microscopy. The P3HT films were prepared by spin coating technique and the samples were annealed at 180 degrees C. Conversion efficiencies around 0.4% were obtained, with open circuit voltages and short circuit current densities as high as 560 mV and 2.7 mA/cm(2), respectively.106877882CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQCONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQSem informaçãoThe authors would like to thank the Brazilian agency CNPq, the Solbravo S/A for partial financial support, through grants and scholarships, and also to the Brazilian Nanotechnology National Laboratory (LNNano), for the use of their SEM capabilities. They also acknowledge the anonymous referees for useful comments and suggestions