Direct determination of the crystal field parameters of Dy, Er and Yb impurities in the skutterudite compound CeFe4_{4}P12_{12} by Electron Spin Resonance

Despite extensive research on the skutterudites for the last decade, their electric crystalline field ground state is still a matter of controversy. We show that Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) measurements can determine the full set of crystal field parameters (CFPs) for the Th cubic symmetry (Im3) of the Ce$_{1-x}$R$_{x}$Fe$_{4}$P$_{12}$ (R = Dy, Er, Yb, $x\lesssim 0.003$) skutterudite compounds. From the analysis of the ESR data the three CFPs, B4c, B6c and B6t were determined for each of these rare-earths at the Ce$^{3+}$ site. The field and temperature dependence of the measured magnetization for the doped crystals are in excellent agreement with the one predicted by the CFPs Bnm derived from ESR.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figures, to appear in PR

Phase-Sensitive Vibrational Sum and Difference Frequency-Generation Spectroscopy Enabling Nanometer-Depth Profiling at Interfaces

The unique physical and chemical properties of interfaces are governed by a finite depth that describes the transition from the topmost atomic layer to the properties of the bulk material. Thus, understanding the physical nature of interfaces requires detailed insight into the different structures, chemical compositions, and physical processes that form this interfacial region. Such insight has traditionally been difficult to obtain from experiments, as it requires a combination of structural and chemical sensitivity with spatial depth resolution on the nanometer scale. In this contribution, we present a vibrational spectroscopic approach that can overcome these limitations. By combining phase-sensitive sum and difference frequency-generation (SFG and DFG, respectively) spectroscopy and by selectively determining different nonlinear interaction pathways, we can extract precise depth information and correlate these to specific vibrationally resonant modes of interfacial species. We detail the mathematical framework behind this approach and demonstrate the performance of this technique in two sets of experiments on selected model samples. An analysis of the results shows an almost perfect match between experiment and theory, confirming the practicability of the proposed concept under realistic experimental conditions. Furthermore, in measurements with self-assembled monolayers of different chain lengths, we analyze the spatial accuracy of the technique and find that the precision can even reach the sub-nanometer regime. We also discuss the implications and the information content of such depth-sensitive measurements and show that the concept is very general and goes beyond the analysis of the depth profiles. The presented SFG/DFG technique offers new perspectives for spectroscopic investigations of interfaces in various material systems by providing access to fundamental observables that have so far been inaccessible by experiments. Here, we set the theoretical and experimental basis for such future investigations

Water Management of Organic-Based Pineapple in Upland Sloping Production Areas

Irrigation of crops in the upland is one major problem in crop production because of water availability during the dry season which includes the right irrigation water method, one of major factors in crop production. The main objectives of the study were to assess the growth and yield of organically grown pineapple at different water management; and to evaluate the cost and economic returns of organically grown pineapple at different water management. Study conducted at BPSU Bangkal, Abucay, Bataan (N 14°46’ East 120°30’). The total rainfall depth at BPSU-AWS Station for July 2020 to June 2022 was 5,002.4 mm during the study period. The micro-sprinkler irrigation system (90 lph, 5.5 m – 12.5 m WD) was used to supplement the irrigation water. Four treatments were subjected for verification (T1 – no supplemented water, T2 – Irrigate up to 30% soil MC, T3 - Irrigate up to 50% soil MC, and T4 – Irrigate up to 70% soil MC) with the aid of an Atmometer and Soil Moisture Meter. Pineapple (T4) has 72.7 cm high, 109.5 cm crown diameter with 25.7 leaves, and T4 has the most number of large size (126/179). Pineapple production has a good return in terms of income, and ROI, and has a short payback period compared with other commodities. With the application of supplemented irrigation water to upland and rolling production areas, the farmer’s income could increase with the right irrigation method for specific and selected crops to be raised

Neutrino masses in SU(5)×U(1)FSU(5)\times U(1)_F with adjoint flavons

We present a $SU(5)\times U(1)_F$ supersymmetric model for neutrino masses and mixings that implements the seesaw mechanism by means of the heavy SU(2) singlets and triplets states contained in three adjoints of SU(5). We discuss how Abelian $U(1)_F$ symmetries can naturally yield non-hierarchical light neutrinos even when the heavy states are strongly hierarchical, and how it can also ensure that $R$--parity arises as an exact accidental symmetry. By assigning two flavons that break $U(1)_F$ to the adjoint representation of SU(5) and assuming universality for all the fundamental couplings, the coefficients of the effective Yukawa and Majorana mass operators become calculable in terms of group theoretical quantities. There is a single free parameter in the model, however, at leading order the structure of the light neutrinos mass matrix is determined in a parameter independent way.Comment: 16 pages, 9 figures. Included contributions to neutrino masses from the triplet states contained in the three adjoints of SU(5

Can colour vision re-evolve? Variation in the X-linked opsin locus of cathemeral Azara’s owl monkeys (Aotus azarae azarae)

Background: Do evolutionary specializations lead to evolutionary constraint? This appears plausible, particularly when specialization leads to loss of complex adaptations. In the owl monkey lineage, nocturnality clearly arose from a diurnal ancestor. This behavioural shift was accompanied by morphological changes in the eye and orbit and complete loss of colour vision via missense mutations in the gene encoding the short-wave sensitive visual pigment (SWS opsin). Interestingly, at least one subspecies of owl monkey, Azara’s owl monkey (Aotus azarae azarae), has regained activity in daylight. Given that all primate species that are active in daylight, including primarily diurnal species and species that are active during both day and night, have at least dichromatic colour vision, it seems reasonable to propose that dichromacy would be adaptive in A. a. azarae. With a disabled SWS opsin, the main avenue available for Azara’s owl monkeys to re-evolve colour vision is via a polymorphism in the intact X-linked opsin locus, which commonly occurs in other New World monkeys. To examine this possibility we assayed variation in the X-linked opsin of A. a. azarae, focusing on the three exons (3, 4 and 5) that control spectral sensitivity. Results: We found low opsin genetic variation on a population level, and no differences at the three main sites that lead to variation in spectral sensitivity in the opsins of other New World monkeys. Two rare alleles with single amino acid variants are segregating in the population, but previous functional studies indicate that these are unlikely to affect spectral sensitivity. Conclusions: Genetic constraint on the re-evolution of colour vision is likely operating in Azara’s owl monkey, which may affect the niche that this subspecies is able to occupy

Building Babies - Chapter 16

In contrast to birds, male mammals rarely help to raise the offspring. Of all mammals, only among rodents, carnivores, and primates, males are sometimes intensively engaged in providing infant care (Kleiman and Malcolm 1981). Male caretaking of infants has long been recognized in nonhuman primates (Itani 1959). Given that infant care behavior can have a positive effect on the infant’s development, growth, well-being, or survival, why are male mammals not more frequently involved in “building babies”? We begin the chapter defining a few relevant terms and introducing the theory and hypotheses that have historically addressed the evolution of paternal care. We then review empirical findings on male care among primate taxa, before focusing, in the final section, on our own work on paternal care in South American owl monkeys (Aotus spp.). We conclude the chapter with some suggestions for future studies.Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (HU 1746/2-1) Wenner-Gren Foundation, the L.S.B. Leakey Foundation, the National Geographic Society, the National Science Foundation (BCS-0621020), the University of Pennsylvania Research Foundation, the Zoological Society of San Dieg