Copulation and Oviposition in the Green-blotched Giant Anole, Anolis smallwoodi (Squamata: Dactyloidae), from southeastern Cuba

Crown-giant anole ecomorphs have evolved independently across the Greater Antilles (Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico), but only a few of these species have well documented life histories. Herein we report previously undocumented observations of copulation, oviposition, and hatchlings for the Green-blotched Giant Anole (Anolis smallwoodi) of southeastern Cuba. We observed eight mating events (three with A. s. smallwoodi and five with A. s. palardis) along the coastline between Santiago de Cuba and Guantánamo Province during June 2010 and September 2011. One female A. s. palardis mated with two males in the same territory. Females dig a hole with their snouts, oviposit single eggs, and cover them with substrate. We monitored eight eggs incubated in slightly moist vermiculite. The minimum incubation times were 54-69 days (varying with temperature). Juveniles usually are colored like adults, bright green with white spots on the body, pale postlabial bands, and suprascapular stripes

Magnetic field dependence of the coherence length and penetration depth of MgB2 single crystals

International audienceWe report on specific heat and Hall probe magnetization measurements in magnesium diboride single crystals. A magnetic field dependence of the coherence length has been deduced from the former assuming that the electronic excitations are localized in field dependent vortex cores in which case is related to the Sommerfeld coefficient = Cp /T T→0 throughout, H /a0 2 a0 being the vortex spacing . The reversible part of the magnetization has been analyzed with a phenomenological Ginzburg-Landau model introducing field dependent parameters i.e., penetration depth and which account for the decreasing contribution of the -band with increasing field. This approach perfectly reproduces the experimental data by combining the field dependence of deduced from Cp 1/ 2 B with an almost linear increase of from 450 Å at low field to 700 Å close to Hc2. These field dependences can then be used to consistently describe the field dependence of the critical current density, small angle neutron scattering form factor, and muon spin relaxation rate

Superconductivity in MgB_2 doped with Ti and C

Measurements of the superconducting upper critical field, H_{c2}, and critical current density, J_c, have been carried out for MgB_2 doped with Ti and/or C in order to explore the problems encountered if these dopants are used to enhance the superconducting performance. Carbon replaces boron in the MgB_2 lattice and apparently shortens the electronic mean free path thereby raising H_c2. Titanium forms precipitates of either TiB or TiB_2 that enhance the flux pinning and raise J_c. Most of these precipitates are intra-granular in the MgB_2 phase. If approximately 0.5% Ti and approximately 2% C are co-deposited with B to form doped boron fibers and these fibers are in turn reacted in Mg vapor to form MgB_2, the resulting superconductor has H_{c2}(T=0) ~ 25 T and J_c ~ 10,000 A/cm**2 at 5 K and 2.2 T.Comment: 11 pages, 10 figure

Systematic effects of carbon doping on the superconducting properties of Mg(B1−x_{1-x}Cx_x)2_2

The upper critical field, $H_{c2}$, of Mg(B$_{1-x}$C$_x$)$_2$ has been measured in order to probe the maximum magnetic field range for superconductivity that can be attained by C doping. Carbon doped boron filaments are prepared by CVD techniques, and then these fibers are then exposed to Mg vapor to form the superconducting compound. The transition temperatures are depressed about $1 K/$ C and $H_{c2}(T=0)$ rises at about $5 T/$ C. This means that 3.5% C will depress $T_c$ from $39.2 K$ to $36.2 K$ and raise $H_{c2}(T=0)$ from $16.0 T$ to $32.5 T$. Higher fields are probably attainable in the region of 5% C to 7% C. These rises in $H_{c2}$ are accompanied by a rise in resistivity at $40 K$ from about $0.5 \mu \Omega cm$ to about $10 \mu \Omega cm$. Given that the samples are polycrystalline wire segments, the experimentally determined $H_{c2}(T)$ curves represent the upper $H_{c2}(T)$ manifold associated with $H\perp c$

Is Delta_{pi}-gap-only superconductivity possible in Mg_{1-x}Al_{x}B_{2} and Mg(B_{1-y}C_{y})_{2} alloys?

Using density-functional-based method, we study the k-resolved sigma- and pi-band holes in Mg_{1-x}Al_{x}B_{2} and Mg(B_{1-y}C_{y})_{2} alloys. We find that the calculated profiles of the loss of sigma- and pi-band holes in these two systems as a function of impurity concentration are in qualitative agreement with experiments, as expected. We also describe its implications vis-a-vis superconductivity in Mg_{1-x}Al_{x}B_{2} and Mg(B_{1-y}C_{y})_{2}.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

The use of quotation marks in contemporary media texts (on the example of the word »vykadit«)

V članku autorky popisují užití uvozovek v novinářských textech na příkladu vulgarismu vykadit. Autorky projednávají o různých potenciálních významech uvozovek, důvodech jejich použití a nadměrném používání.The paper deals with use of quotation marks in journalistic texts on the example of vulgarism vykadit. It discusses various potential meanings of quotation marks, reasons of their use and over-use.

Influence of Al doping on the gap values in MgB2 single crystals

International audienceWe report on the evolution of the small and large gap values in Mg1 xAlxB2 single crystals (for x = 0, 0.1 and 0.2) by specific heat and point contact spectroscopy. The values deduced from the temperature dependence of the electronic contribution to the specific heat are very close to those obtained by point contact spectroscopy. The evolution of those gaps with Al concentration suggests that both band filling and interband scattering effects are present and may lead to a merging of the two gaps for Tc 10-15 K

Built to bite : feeding kinematics, bite forces, and head shape of a specialized durophagous lizard, Dracaena Guianensis (Teiidae)

Most lizards feed on a variety of food items that may differ dramatically in their physical and behavioral characteristics. Several lizard families are known to feed upon hard-shelled prey (durophagy). Yet, specializations toward true molluscivory have been documented for only a few species. As snails are hard and brittle food items, it has been suggested that a specialized cranial morphology, high bite forces, and an adapted feeding strategy are important for such lizards. Here we compare head and skull morphology, bite forces, and feeding kinematics of a snail-crushing teiid lizard (Dracaena guianensis) with those in a closely related omnivorous species (Tupinambis merianae). Our data show that juvenile D. guianensis differ from T. merianae in having bigger heads and greater bite forces. Adults, however, do not differ in bite force. A comparison of feeding kinematics in adult Dracaena and Tupinambis revealed that Dracaena typically use more transport cycles, yet are more agile in manipulating snails. During transport, the tongue plays an important role in manipulating and expelling shell fragments before swallowing. Although Dracaena is slow, these animals are very effective in crushing and processing hard-shelled prey. J. Exp. Zool. 317A:371381, 2012. (c) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

Built to Bite: Feeding Kinematics, Bite Forces, and Head Shape of a Specialized Durophagous Lizard, Dracaena Guianensis (Teiidae)

Most lizards feed on a variety of food items that may differ dramatically in their physical and behavioral characteristics. Several lizard families are known to feed upon hard-shelled prey (durophagy). Yet, specializations toward true molluscivory have been documented for only a few species. As snails are hard and brittle food items, it has been suggested that a specialized cranial morphology, high bite forces, and an adapted feeding strategy are important for such lizards. Here we compare head and skull morphology, bite forces, and feeding kinematics of a snail-crushing teiid lizard (Dracaena guianensis) with those in a closely related omnivorous species (Tupinambis merianae). Our data show that juvenile D. guianensis differ from T. merianae in having bigger heads and greater bite forces. Adults, however, do not differ in bite force. A comparison of feeding kinematics in adult Dracaena and Tupinambis revealed that Dracaena typically use more transport cycles, yet are more agile in manipulating snails. During transport, the tongue plays an important role in manipulating and expelling shell fragments before swallowing. Although Dracaena is slow, these animals are very effective in crushing and processing hard-shelled prey. J. Exp. Zool. 317A:371381, 2012. (c) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc