Ion yields and erosion rates for Si1−xGex(0x1) ultralow energy O2+ secondary ion mass spectrometry in the energy range of 0.25–1 keV

We report the SIMS parameters required for the quantitative analysis of Si1−xGex across the range of 0 ≤ x ≤ 1 when using low energy O2+ primary ions at normal incidence. These include the silicon and germanium secondary ion yield [i.e., the measured ion signal (ions/s)] and erosion rate [i.e., the speed at which the material sputters (nm/min)] as a function of x. We show that the ratio Rx of erosion rates, Si1−xGex/Si, at a given x is almost independent of beam energy, implying that the properties of the altered layer are dominated by the interaction of oxygen with silicon. Rx shows an exponential dependence on x. Unsurprisingly, the silicon and germanium secondary ion yields are found to depart somewhat from proportionality to (1−x) and x, respectively, although an approximate linear relationship could be used for quantification across around 30% of the range of x (i.e., a reference material containing Ge fraction x would give reasonably accurate quantification across the range of ±0.15x). Direct comparison of the useful (ion) yields [i.e., the ratio of ion yield to the total number of atoms sputtered for a particular species (ions/atom)] and the sputter yields [i.e., the total number of atoms sputtered per incident primary ion (atoms/ions)] reveals a moderate matrix effect where the former decrease monotonically with increasing x except at the lowest beam energy investigated (250 eV). Here, the useful yield of Ge is found to be invariant with x. At 250 eV, the germanium ion and sputter yields are proportional to x for all x

Dopant Spatial Distributions: Sample Independent Response Function And Maximum Entropy Reconstruction

We demonstrate the use of maximum entropy based deconvolution to reconstruct boron spatial distribution from the secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) depth profiles on a system of variously spaced boron $\delta$-layers grown in silicon. Sample independent response functions are obtained using a new method which reduces the danger of incorporating real sample behaviour in the response. Although the original profiles of different primary ion energies appear quite differently, the reconstructed distributions agree well with each other. The depth resolution in the reconstructed data is increased significantly and segregation of boron at the near surface side of the $\delta$-layers is clearly shown.Comment: 5 two-columne pages, 3 postscript figures, to appear in Phys. Rev. B1

Simulations of the Mid-Pliocene Warm Period Using Two Versions of the NASA-GISS ModelE2-R Coupled Model

The mid-Pliocene Warm Period (mPWP) bears many similarities to aspects of future global warming as projected by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC, 2007). Both marine and terrestrial data point to high-latitude temperature amplification, including large decreases in sea ice and land ice, as well as expansion of warmer climate biomes into higher latitudes. Here we present our most recent simulations of the mid-Pliocene climate using the CMIP5 version of the NASAGISS Earth System Model (ModelE2-R). We describe the substantial impact associated with a recent correction made in the implementation of the Gent-McWilliams ocean mixing scheme (GM), which has a large effect on the simulation of ocean surface temperatures, particularly in the North Atlantic Ocean. The effect of this correction on the Pliocene climate results would not have been easily determined from examining its impact on the preindustrial runs alone, a useful demonstration of how the consequences of code improvements as seen in modern climate control runs do not necessarily portend the impacts in extreme climates.Both the GM-corrected and GM-uncorrected simulations were contributed to the Pliocene Model Intercomparison Project (PlioMIP) Experiment 2. Many findings presented here corroborate results from other PlioMIP multi-model ensemble papers, but we also emphasize features in the ModelE2-R simulations that are unlike the ensemble means. The corrected version yields results that more closely resemble the ocean core data as well as the PRISM3D reconstructions of the mid-Pliocene, especially the dramatic warming in the North Atlantic and Greenland-Iceland-Norwegian Sea, which in the new simulation appears to be far more realistic than previously found with older versions of the GISS model. Our belief is that continued development of key physical routines in the atmospheric model, along with higher resolution and recent corrections to mixing parameterisations in the ocean model, have led to an Earth System Model that will produce more accurate projections of future climate

Toxicity in Beef Cattle Grazing \u3cem\u3eLeucaena leucocephala\u3c/em\u3e in Queensland, Australia

Improved pastures based on the leguminous shrub Leucaena leucocephala (leucaena) are the most productive, profitable and sustainable for beef cattle production in northern Australia. Leucaena forage contains the toxic, non-protein amino acid mimosine, which is rapidly converted to 3-hydroxy-4(1H)-pyridone (DHP) upon ingestion by grazing cattle. This is a potent goitrogen and appetite suppressant. Animals suffering severe DHP toxicity exhibit distinctive symptoms (e.g. hair loss, excessive salivation, goitre and weight loss), while subclinical DHP toxicity can suppress live weight gain by 30-50% without producing any obvious symptoms. Prior to the discovery and introduction of the DHP-degrading rumen bacteria Synergistes jonesii into Australia in 1982, DHP toxicity severely limited animal performance from leucaena pastures and was a major impediment to adoption. Initial rumen inoculation of cattle in Australia with S. jonesii successfully protected them against DHP toxicity and the bacterium appeared to be easily and rapidly transmitted between grazing animals. Consequently many scientists and graziers believed that a single inoculation of a herd with S. jonesii, combined with simple ongoing herd management, was sufficient to overcome the problem of DHP toxicity. However, during the 2003 drought there were several reports of severe leucaena toxicity (including animal deaths) in cattle grazing leucaena in Queensland. Toxicity was evident even in herds that had followed recommended control measures. Preliminary results are presented of a study, designed to ascertain the prevalence and possible causes of leucaena toxicity in Queensland cattle herds. Meat and Livestock Australia Limited funded this research (NBP.340)

No Drama: Key Elements to the Success of an HIV/STI-Prevention Mass-Media Campaign

We qualitatively examined gay men’s reactions to the national “Drama Downunder” HIV/STI social marketing campaign targeting gay men in Australia to identify key campaign elements that underpinned the demonstrated effectiveness of the campaign. We present findings from six qualitative focus groups held with 49 participants as part of the evaluation of the sexual-health-promotion campaign over 2008–2009. Participants identified attention-grabbing images, a humorous approach, positive and simple tailored messaging, and the use of mainstream media as campaign features crucial in normalizing sexual health testing, driving campaign engagement, and ensuring high message exposure. Our results suggest that designers of future campaigns should strive to balance positive and negative campaign images and messages, and find new ways to engage men with sexual health topics, particularly younger gay men. We discuss the implications of our findings about campaign effectiveness for future health-promotion campaigns and message design

The final two redshifts for radio sources from the equatorial BRL sample

Best, Rottgering and Lehnert (1999, 2000a) defined a new sample of powerful radio sources from the Molonglo Reference Catalogue, for which redshifts were compiled or measured for 177 of the 178 objects. For the final object, MRC1059-010 (3C249), the host galaxy is here identified using near-infrared imaging, and the redshift is determined from VLT spectroscopy. For one other object in the sample, MRC0320+053 (4C05.14), the literature redshift has been questioned: new spectroscopic observations of this object are presented, deriving a corrected redshift. With these two results, the spectroscopic completeness of this sample is now 100%. New redshifts are also presented for PKS0742+10 from the Wall & Peacock 2.7 GHz catalogue, and PKS1336+003 from the Parkes Selected Regions. PKS0742+10 shows a strong neutral hydrogen absorption feature in its Lyman-alpha emission profile.Comment: 4 pages. LaTeX. Accepted for publication in MNRA

A prospective study of endogenous serum hormone concentrations and breast cancer risk in premenopausal women on the island of Guernsey.

The associations between serum concentrations of oestradiol, progesterone, testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and risk of breast cancer in premenopausal women were investigated in a prospective study of breast cancer on the island of Guernsey. Sixty-two women diagnosed with breast cancer an average of 8 years subsequent to blood collection were matched for day of menstrual cycle, age and year of blood collection with 182 control subjects. Cases had a 12% higher mean oestradiol concentration over the whole menstrual cycle (P = 0.17) with a large difference at mid-cycle (75% higher, P = 0.04). Differences between cases and control subjects in progesterone (luteal phase), testosterone and SHBG were small and not statistically significant: luteal phase progesterone 9% lower in cases, P = 0.64; testosterone 4% higher, P = 0.57; SHBG 8% higher, P = 0.24. The small difference in oestradiol concentration could be aetiologically important, but larger prospective studies are needed