Josephson Effect in Pb/I/NbSe2 Scanning Tunneling Microscope Junctions

We have developed a method for the reproducible fabrication of superconducting scanning tunneling microscope (STM) tips. We use these tips to form superconductor/insulator/superconductor tunnel junctions with the STM tip as one of the electrodes. We show that such junctions exhibit fluctuation dominated Josephson effects, and describe how the Josephson product IcRn can be inferred from the junctions' tunneling characteristics in this regime. This is first demonstrated for tunneling into Pb films, and then applied in studies of single crystals of NbSe2. We find that in NbSe2, IcRn is lower than expected, which could be attributed to the interplay between superconductivity and the coexisting charge density wave in this material.Comment: 3 pages, 2 figures. Presented at the New3SC-4 meeting, San Diego, Jan. 16-21 200

Universal transport in 2D granular superconductors

The transport properties of quench condensed granular superconductors are presented and analyzed. These systems exhibit transitions from insulating to superconducting behavior as a function of inter-grain spacing. Superconductivity is characterized by broad transitions in which the resistance drops exponentially with reducing temperature. The slope of the log R versus T curves turns out to be universaly dependent on the normal state film resistance for all measured granular systems. It does not depend on the material, critical temperature, geometry, or experimental set-up. We discuss possible physical scenarios to explain these findings.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

Reactions to Recent Changes in Industrial Relations Legislation in New Zealand

At the end of February the Industrial Relations Society held a panel discussion in Auckland on the changes made to industrial relations legislation through the Industrial Relations Amendment Act (No. 2) 1976 and the Commerce Amendment Act 1976. Edited extracts from some of the contributions by panel members are recorded below

Managing of Information Systems Risks in Extended Enterprises: The Case of Outsourcing

IT security issues and outsourcing of business processes are common but largely disjoint themes in the literature; common consideration is rare even though information security risk becomes a shared risk both through IS-based processes at outsourcing partners and potentially tightly-integrated IS systems. This paper explores this lack of an integrated model combining IT risk management view with the outsourcing process. Towards the development of an integrated model outsourcing and risk managing process phases are detailed; common phases of each serve as the basis for the introduction of an integrated model. Finally the paper suggests some points for future research

Opportunities of Grazing Personality Genetics for Steep and Rugged Rangelands

Globally, extensive pastoral grazing systems are facing multiple pressures, including to address emerging public concerns about environmental impact and animal well-being. This may require new regulatory constraints to be met, while maintaining the economic viability of the systems. One novel approach to addressing these challenges is to capitalize on naturally occurring differences in livestock behaviors, specifically differences in grazing personalities, to assist the production systems deliver more effective and responsible use of rangelands. Herbivores may exhibit consistent grazing behaviors over time and across spatial contexts, which differ among individuals and between groups leading to distinctive grazing patterns known as grazing personalities. A study conducted in steep and rugged rangelands of New Zealand with GPS-tracked cows (n = 303) that were genotyped for variation in a ‘grazing gene’, the glutamate metabotropic receptor 5 gene (GRM5), revealed genetic associations (P \u3c 0.02) and trends towards associations (P \u3c 0.1) with home range, movement tortuosity, elevation range and horizontal distance travelled. In an average herd, two GRM5 genotypes associated with medium-sized home ranges accounted for 72% of cows, another two genotypes associated with the largest home ranges accounted for 16% and the remaining 12% had the genotype with the smallest home range. Furthermore, genotypes with the largest home range had the least ‘crooked’ movement tortuosity. Here, we propose changing the proportion of GRM5 genotypes in cattle herds to better match the collective grazing patterns within steep and rugged rangelands. For example, increasing the proportion of GRM5 genotypes with largest home ranges and straightest movement tortuosity may lead to decreasing grazing frequency of vegetation at several scales (e.g., individual plants, plant communities and ecological sites) and better utilization of the available forage. We highlight opportunities of a GRM5 grazing personality approach to improving collective grazing patterns of beef cattle in steep and rugged rangelands to enable more sustainable pastoral grazing systems